Cardano’s Leios Upgrade Stays on Testnet With a 2026 Mainnet Target

Cardano’s Leios upgrade remains in public testing, with a mainnet rollout targeted for before the end of 2026 as the network works toward higher transaction capacity.

The proposed upgrade would add approval blocks and committee validation to Ouroboros Praos, Cardano’s current protocol. Its design aims to increase transaction processing while retaining decentralized consensus. Capacity estimates range from twice to 30 times current levels, and a September test reached about 1,000 transactions per second. Early trial targets are more modest.

The public Musashi Dojo testnet began on June 23 and is moving through five phases. It is currently in the Fire phase, with testing still underway.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has described Leios as the point at which he considers the network complete. Asked whether Cardano was finished, he answered, “After Leios, yes.”

The mainnet rollout remains targeted for before the end of 2026 and depends on test results and technical decisions.