Cardano (ADA) is nearing a significant milestone with its Node Version 9.1.0 upgrade, which is currently 69% complete. This advancement is bringing the network closer to the highly anticipated Chang hard fork, a major update designed to improve Cardano's on-chain decision-making capabilities. The successful deployment of Node 9.1.0 is crucial for the effective implementation of this hard fork.

The Chang hard fork will proceed once 70% of Cardano's validators, or Stake Pool Operators (SPOs), have upgraded to the new node. Currently, 69% of the 3,110 stake pools are prepared, and the final date for the hard fork will be determined once the community meets the required readiness thresholds for both SPOs and exchanges.

Meanwhile, Cardano's native token, ADA, is experiencing heightened market activity. Recent data from CoinGlass reveals a 30% surge in ADA perpetual futures trading volume over the past 24 hours, with the total turnover reaching $408.53 million.

Additionally, CoinMarketCap reports that ADA's spot market trading volume has risen by 5.54%, reaching $337.77 million. This boost in trading activity has pushed Cardano's total turnover across all markets to approximately $1 billion.

As the Chang hard fork approaches, market interest in Cardano remains strong.