Cardano getting closer to launch smart contract feature with new testnet

The blockchain development team behind Cardano, IOHK, announced on July 15 that the project’s Alonzo test net had officially transitioned from Blue to White, bringing with it the ecosystem’s long-awaited expansion to the smart contract functionality.

Cardano getting closer to launch smart contract feature with new testnet

Cardano’s previous testnet, dubbed Alonzo Blue, offered few smart contract features but these were only available to a limited number of insiders. Now the upgrade will allow about 500 validators, stake pool operators, and developers to test these features going forward.

Alonzo White is set to run for two to four weeks before upgrading to the final testnet for its current development phase, called Alonzo Purple.

Despite being criticized by the blockchain community, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson recently said in a YouTube video that everything is still on track as per the project's roadmap, noting that more than $10 million in NFTs have been sold throughout the Cardano network along with tens of thousands of assets.  Once Alonzo White is released to the mainnet, developers will be able to launch dApps, NFTs, and more.

Following the Alonzo White announcement, an NFT and DeFi Marketplace called the Spores Network announced a successful $2.3 million fundraise on July 16. The DeFi platform stated that it hopes to leverage Cardano's lower transaction costs, lower carbon footprints, and higher transaction throughput to bring NFTs to mainstream users.

With more companies and artists joining the growing NFT market, such as Dolce & Gabbana and a fantasy soccer platform, bringing mass to the network may lead to big gains for the Cardano network.

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