Cardano Dijkstra Testnet Goes Live Ahead of Major Upgrade

CardanoADA-0.16% Begins Public Testing for Protocol Version 12

Cardano has officially kicked off public testing for its next major system upgrade. Member-based ecosystem group Intersect shared the update in an announcement on October 23, 2026.

The public Dijkstra testnet is now open to community members. Stake Pool Operators (SPOs) can begin joining the test environment right away.

This public test phase sets the stage for Cardano's transition to protocol version 12. It allows developers to test core network changes safely before they go live on the main network.

What is the Dijkstra Testnet?

Think of a testnet as a practice field for blockchain code. Developers use testnets to find bugs and ensure systems run smoothly before going live.

The Dijkstra testnet underwent a technical reset on October 21, 2026. It is now fully accessible to all interested participants.

Currently, the testnet runs protocol version 11 (Conway) on node version 11.1.3. To speed up testing, epochs on this network are set to just 1 day long.

Operators looking to participate can find configuration files on Cardano Book. The documentation hub also provides a link to the Dijkstra testnet faucet to request test tokens.

The Step-by-Step Roadmap to Protocol Version 12

Upgrading a global blockchain requires precise coordination. Intersect outlined a step-by-step roadmap for how the Dijkstra rollout will unfold across upcoming node software updates.

• Current state: Running protocol version 11 (Conway) using Node 11.1.3.
• Node 11.2 pre-release: Introduces the main Dijkstra feature set, excluding Ouroboros Leios.
• Hard fork initiation: Formal action taken to trigger the network transition.
• Hard fork release: Upgrades the network to protocol version 12 (Dijkstra) running on Node 11.2.
• Feature testing: Complete testing of the Dijkstra feature set against the new hard-forked environment.

While the main network currently uses Node 11.1.3, work on Node 11.2 is moving forward quickly. A tagged version is expected soon, which will bring Log-Structured Merge-tree (LSM) clearance for mainnet usage.

Ouroboros Leios: Scaling Up Transaction Throughput

One of the most anticipated features planned alongside Dijkstra is Ouroboros Leios. This technology aims to boost Cardano's transaction speed significantly.

However, full Leios functionality will not happen overnight. The rollout will occur gradually in controlled phases to protect network safety.

First, Stake Pool Operators will register new BLS voting keys. Once enough pool operators have registered their stake, Leios will begin utilizing endorser blocks.

The initial capacity target is 3 to 5 times the current Praos ceiling of 4.5 kilobytes of transactions per second (Txk B/s). Subsequent updates aim to raise throughput to 10 to 15 times current levels.

Further network scaling will depend on actual user demand, builder needs, and community governance decisions over time.

Early Prototype Testing with Node 11.3

Development work on Node 11.3 is already underway, though a formal tagged release remains at least two weeks away.

In the meantime, developers have released a weekly pre-release build named RC 2026w42. This acts as an early Leios-based prototype containing the full Dijkstra feature set.

Downstream development teams are using this prototype on the Musashi testnet. This allows tooling creators to explore Leios features early, well ahead of the official 11.3 release.

What Else is Coming in the Dijkstra Upgrade?

The Dijkstra upgrade includes several key changes designed to improve developer flexibility and network operations:

• CIP-23 implementation: Introduces a new protocol parameter called min Pool Margin, setting a minimum variable fee threshold for stake pools as requested by SPOs.
• Freely withdrawable staking rewards: Streamlines how users access and manage their earned staking rewards.
• Plutus V4 smart contracts: Updates Cardano's primary smart contract programming language with enhanced capabilities.
• Nested transactions and guard scripts: Offers developers greater flexibility when building complex decentralized applications.
• New pledge-leverage parameter: Adjusts the operational rules governing stake pool delegation and pool pledge mechanics.

Understanding the Technical Path Ahead

Major protocol upgrades require extensive testing to maintain security and stability across the network. By releasing testnets early, Cardano developers can gather community feedback and verify code reliability.

Network parameters and operational rules are subject to change based on testing outcomes and community consensus.

Historical digital asset performance and previous blockchain upgrades are not indicative of future performance or operational outcomes. Users should evaluate technical changes carefully.