In a blog post by Riley Kilgore on July 18, 2025, Input | Output (IO) introduced a novel toolset for bringing expressive smart contracts to Bitcoin. This is achieved through a new compilation pipeline that allows contracts written in modern languages like Python or TypeScript to run on Bitcoin without modifying the core protocol. The approach combines Untyped Plutus Core (UPLC), a CEK machine interpreter, and the RISC-V architecture.

A July 16, 2025, blog post by Romain Soulat details a new Input | Output tool for automated formal verification of Cardano smart contracts. Leveraging the Lean4 proof system and SMT solvers, it automatically checks that contracts behave as intended without requiring developers to write manual proofs. This innovation aims to make high-assurance development faster, cheaper, and more accessible, allowing for continuous verification within CI/CD pipelines.

A July 2, 2025, blog post by Joseph Fajen introduces "Project Acropolis," an initiative to make Cardano more developer-friendly. It aims to transform the Cardano node into a modular framework, allowing developers to build directly on the node using familiar tools. This approach seeks to lower the entry barrier for developers, fostering innovation and ecosystem growth while preserving Cardano's high-security standards.

A June 23, 2025, blog post by Fergie Miller summarizes a Cardano R&D session on Layer-2 expansion beyond Hydra. The session featured presentations on Midgard (an optimistic rollup), a zk-rollup from zkFold SA, a ZK bridge from Eryx Cooperativa, and Gummiworm (a scalable rollup from Sundae Labs). Key discussion themes included interoperability, capital fragmentation, and the importance of security.

A June 23, 2025, IOHK blog post by a team of researchers explores the concept of slashing as a security mechanism in blockchains. It contrasts Ethereum's slashing-based model, where validators risk losing staked assets for misbehavior, with Cardano's non-slashing approach. The authors argue that slashing is ineffective against majority attacks and can deter participation, while Cardano’s method, relying on formal verification and stake-weighted incentives, provides robust security without these drawbacks.

The Cardano Foundation has launched Originate, an open-source traceability solution built on the Cardano blockchain. It enables businesses to verify product authenticity and support certifications, enhancing supply chain transparency and combating counterfeiting. A successful case study in the Georgian wine industry demonstrated its effectiveness in fighting counterfeit products. Originate provides a secure, scalable, and cost-effective way for industries like luxury goods and pharmaceuticals to increase consumer trust. The code is available on GitHub for community contribution.

The Cardano Foundation's blog post "Blockchain for Sustainability" explores how blockchain technology can enhance ecological and humanitarian efforts. It details applications in improving supply chain transparency, such as verifying ethically sourced products like fair-trade coffee. The post also covers promoting circular economy models by tracking product lifecycles and recycled content, exemplified by projects like Plastiks on Cardano. Furthermore, it discusses blockchain's role in the renewable energy sector through peer-to-peer energy trading and supporting microgrids, fostering verifiable and transparent sustainable practices.

The Cardano Foundation published an article explaining the Net Change Limit (NCL), a constitutional parameter within Cardano's governance framework. The NCL defines the maximum amount of ada that can be withdrawn from the treasury over a specific period, typically annually. This mechanism serves as a crucial safeguard for fiscal responsibility and long-term treasury sustainability, balancing ecosystem funding needs with monetary stability. Ratification of the NCL via DRep vote is a required step before budget proposals and treasury withdrawals can proceed.

The article "An Introduction to Proof of Stake Blockchain Systems" from the Cardano Foundation explains how proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanisms offer a more energy-efficient and decentralized alternative to proof-of-work (PoW) systems. In PoS, validators are selected based on the amount of cryptocurrency they hold and are willing to "stake" as collateral, reducing the need for energy-intensive computations. The article discusses various PoS models, including Cardano's Ouroboros protocol, which uses a verifiable random function to ensure fairness and security. It also highlights how different PoS systems balance decentralization, security, and scalability to meet diverse blockchain needs.

Public blockchains offer enterprises transparency, security, and decentralization, reducing reliance on intermediaries while ensuring data integrity. They enhance trust through verifiable transactions, improve efficiency by automating processes with smart contracts, and enable interoperability for seamless data exchange. Unlike private blockchains, public networks provide broader security through decentralized validation. These benefits make public blockchains an ideal choice for businesses seeking innovation, cost efficiency, and greater trust in their operations.