Cardano Foundation Expects Node 11.3 With Linear Leios in December
Intersect told members in early November that a release candidate was weeks away, and the Cardano Foundation update now points to December.
Key Takeaways
- Cardano node 11.3 is expected in December 2026, according to a Cardano Foundation update from November 11.
- Node 11.3 is the first node to bundle the full Dijkstra feature set, including Linear Leios scaling.
- The DijkstraNet testnet hard-forked to protocol version 12 on November 2 and keeps testing on node 11.2.
- The Dijkstra mainnet hard fork still needs an on-chain governance approval before it can activate.
Cardano (ADA) expects node 11.3, the first node release to bundle Linear Leios scaling, to arrive in December 2026, according to a Cardano Foundation update from November 11. The node is the last major piece of the Dijkstra upgrade, and mainnet activation still needs an on-chain governance vote.
The timeline slipped through November, according to Cryptoticker's Dijkstra timeline. Intersect told members on November 6 that node 11.3 was at least two to three weeks from a release candidate, and the Foundation update adds more testnet tuning before the release ships.
What Linear Leios Adds
Linear Leios is the first phase of Ouroboros Leios, Cardano's scaling design. It adds extra block capacity alongside the existing Praos chain, so many stake pools can pre-process and confirm transactions in parallel before the results feed into the main chain. The goal is substantially higher throughput than Cardano's current single chain.
Leios has been in development for years and is the headline feature of the Dijkstra era. It is not live on Cardano mainnet yet, which still runs node 11.1.3 without Leios active.
What DijkstraNet Is Testing
The dedicated DijkstraNet test network hard-forked to protocol version 12 on November 2, using node 11.2, to exercise Dijkstra-era features. The current testnet phase does not yet include the complete Linear Leios code, which is what node 11.3 brings.
Cardano tagged node 11.2.0 in late October to set up that testnet hard fork, and the network has run protocol version 12 since. Community tooling on Cardano keeps tracking the progress through the Dijkstra testnet.
What Happens Before Mainnet
After node 11.3 ships, the Dijkstra hard fork needs approval through Cardano's on-chain governance process before mainnet activation. Event calendars still list the Dijkstra hard fork Phase 1 for Q4 2026 with the date to be confirmed.
Until that vote, the upgrade stays in testing. The Cardano ecosystem has run the van Rossem hard fork to protocol version 11 in July 2026 and can follow the same path for Dijkstra once the node is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is Cardano Node 11.3 Coming?
The Cardano Foundation expects node 11.3 in December 2026, after additional testnet tuning.
What Is Linear Leios on Cardano?
Linear Leios is Cardano's first scaling phase. It adds parallel block capacity alongside the existing Praos chain so more transactions can be processed at once.
Is Leios Live on Cardano Mainnet?
No. Mainnet still runs node 11.1.3 without Leios. Node 11.3 is the first release to include the full Dijkstra feature set.
What Is DijkstraNet?
DijkstraNet is Cardano's dedicated testnet for the Dijkstra upgrade. It hard-forked to protocol version 12 on November 2, 2026.
Does the Dijkstra Hard Fork Need a Governance Vote?
Yes. On-chain governance must approve the hard fork before it can activate on Cardano mainnet.
Sources
- Cardano Dijkstra hard fork: Leios and node 11.3 · Cryptoticker
- Cardano price stays weak as DijkstraNet testing advances · Ad-hoc News
- Cardano governance actions · DRep Forum
- Prices and market data · Coinranking
