Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano, has launched an extensive analysis of over 11,000 decentralized autonomous organizations. This move comes amid increasing debates about how the network should allocate funds for research, product development, and future governance modifications.
The audit is taking place during a critical phase for Cardano’s treasury system and the development of its 2027 constitution. Hoskinson intends to examine governance structures, including executive duties, roadmap management, and strategic planning across various models.
He outlined his plan on social media, noting that his review will encompass a wide range of DAOs and ten years of governance research. The insights gained will be used to propose enhancements to Cardano’s governance framework, potentially through updates to the constitution or new technological implementations. He also mentioned the possibility of becoming a delegate representative and convening a mini-convention ahead of the 2027 constitution process.
The tension stems partly from a recent funding proposal for Input Output Global’s research lab. A proposal requesting 32.9 million ADA for another year of research faced significant opposition, with 81% of the active stake voting against it. Critics are demanding more measurable milestones and a competitive proposal process instead of automatic renewals. The vote is open until June 8, putting Cardano’s research budget under the spotlight of its on-chain governance system.
Hoskinson has consistently argued that Cardano’s strength lies in its scientific rigor. He has warned that failing to fund research could lead to the departure of key scientists, potentially causing the entire lab to shut down. He described Cardano as the “science coin,” stressing the importance of continued research funding. On the other hand, community members are advocating for more direct support for product development that could attract users and liquidity, including DeFi tools, bridges, rollups, and privacy features.
Recent data from DefiLlama indicates that Cardano’s daily chain revenue is around $517, with $2,583 in fees and $1.83 million in decentralized exchange volume. The market capitalization of ADA stands at approximately $9.08 billion. These figures have intensified discussions about governance spending, with budget-conscious supporters seeking clearer outcomes from treasury funds, while research advocates insist on the foundational role of deep technical work.
Hoskinson’s comprehensive DAO review offers a fresh avenue for community debate. By examining governance design beyond immediate funding votes, his work could influence the next constitution and shape how the network handles roadmaps, executive functions, budget oversight, and developer-voter conflicts. For now, the June 8 vote serves as a critical test for Cardano’s treasury processes.