Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano (ADA), has recently addressed criticisms from cryptocurrency influencers and media, emphasizing the substantial advancements made by Cardano and its promising future. Hoskinson pointed out a significant gap between the public's perception and the actual progress of the project, particularly with the forthcoming Chang Hard Fork, scheduled for the latter half of 2024.

Hoskinson described the Chang Hard Fork as a crucial milestone in Cardano's transition towards decentralized governance, dubbing it 'the most significant hard fork in the project's history.' This event will initiate a three-phase process to improve the blockchain's brand new governance system, starting with the introduction of 'delegate representatives' who will be elected to represent the Cardano community. This system allows users to delegate their ADA holdings, promoting increased and more transparent community involvement.

Following the delegate representative elections, the Cardano Constitution Convention will take place in Argentina. Governance representatives from global workshops will convene to draft the initial version of the Constitution, setting guidelines for community-led governance. The process will conclude with a community-wide vote to ratify the document which, if approved, will shape the future of Cardano's governance.

Hoskinson emphasized that Cardano is making significant strides in research and development, with a growing number of community decentralized applications. He mentioned upcoming events like Rare Evo, the Foundation Summit, and Token 2049, showcasing the project's commitment to innovation and growth. Technologies such as Hydra are also progressing, along with initiatives like partnerchains, Midnight, Prism, and various community activities.

Despite skeptical media headlines, Hoskinson confirmed that Cardano is a robust, lasting presence in the industry, committed to addressing real-world economic, political, and social problems. He urged the community to look beyond the surface-level criticisms and focus on the substantial progress being made behind the scenes. With the Chang Hard Fork on the horizon and a strong pipeline of developments, Cardano is poised to continue its journey towards becoming a leading blockchain platform that empowers individuals and communities worldwide.