Cardano Network Prepares for 5x Throughput Increase
The Leios upgrade introduces endorser blocks to scale transaction capacity while maintaining network decentralization.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Data Centers
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Input Output has announced the Leios upgrade for the Cardano network, a staged deployment designed to increase transaction throughput. The upgrade is currently in the research and development stage and targets an initial capacity increase of 3x to 5x over the current mainnet baseline.
Why it matters
The upgrade aims to scale Cardano's transaction capacity without compromising its decentralized architecture. This development addresses the throughput limitations of the existing Praos block-production system.
Testing on MusashiNet reached 26.8 TxkB/s, exceeding the current Praos mainnet limit of 4.51 TxkB/s. Achieving the projected capacity requires stake pool operators to register BLS voting keys, with endorser block certification necessitating votes from at least 75% of active stake.
The players
Input Output
The primary technology firm responsible for the research, design, and development of the Cardano blockchain protocol.
Cardano
A decentralized proof-of-stake blockchain network that currently utilizes the Praos consensus mechanism.
The details
Leios introduces 'endorser blocks' to supplement the existing Praos ranking blocks, allowing transaction processing to bypass current system bottlenecks. The system uses BLS (Boneh-Lynn-Shacham) signatures—a cryptographic scheme that aggregates multiple signatures into one—to verify votes efficiently. Participation targets for these voting keys are set between 90% and 95% of total delegated stake to ensure sufficient network coverage.
Timeline
August 20, 2026: The development team recorded a peak throughput of 26.8 TxkB/s on MusashiNet.
October 20, 2026: Input Output published the formal Leios upgrade rollout plan.
The Tech Race
This upgrade extends the architectural capabilities of the existing Praos consensus protocol. It represents a pivot from the network's current throughput ceiling toward a tiered structure capable of sustaining 15x higher transaction volumes.
The upgrade will require stake pool operators to register new BLS voting keys to participate in the updated consensus model. Users should monitor for upcoming controlled traffic bursts on the mainnet as Input Output begins assessing real-world network performance.
The takeaway
The trajectory of this upgrade suggests a move toward higher transaction density via cryptographic signature aggregation. Observers should track the upcoming mainnet performance tests to verify if the 3x to 5x capacity increase holds under live conditions.
Further reading
For broader trends in infrastructure scaling, see our coverage of Data Centers.
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