The Cardano network has undergone a pivotal upgrade with the implementation of CIP-1694, also known as the Plomin hard fork—a milestone in its evolution toward full on-chain governance. This upgrade brings essential changes to how ADA staking rewards are managed, and Trust Wallet now fully supports these updates, ensuring users can continue to stake, claim rewards, and participate in governance seamlessly.
Whether you're a long-term ADA holder or new to Cardano staking, understanding this upgrade is crucial to maintaining access to your staking rewards and engaging with the network’s decentralized future.
Understanding the Cardano CIP-1694 Upgrade
CIP-1694 marks a major step in Cardano’s transition from a developer-led blockchain to a community-governed ecosystem. The hard fork introduces on-chain governance mechanisms that empower ADA holders to influence protocol upgrades, funding decisions, and network parameters through delegation.
The most immediate impact? You must now delegate your voting power to a DRep (Delegated Representative) to claim newly accrued staking rewards. This is not a wallet-specific rule—it's enforced by the Cardano network itself and applies to all ADA wallets supporting staking.
👉 Discover how easy it is to start participating in blockchain governance today.
What This Means for Trust Wallet Users
Good news: Trust Wallet has updated its platform to support all aspects of the CIP-1694 upgrade. If you've been unable to claim staking rewards or undelegate your ADA since the hard fork, those issues are now resolved.
Here’s what you can do in Trust Wallet post-upgrade:
- ✅ Claim staking rewards after delegating voting power
- ✅ Undelegate staked ADA even if you had unclaimed rewards
- ✅ Manage governance preferences directly within the app
- ✅ Stay within Trust Wallet—no need to migrate to third-party tools
If you previously encountered errors when trying to withdraw rewards or change your staking setup, updating your governance status will resolve these issues immediately.
How Cardano’s On-Chain Governance Works
Cardano’s new governance model operates through three core entities:
DReps (Delegated Representatives)
These are elected representatives who vote on proposals on behalf of ADA holders. By delegating your voting power to a DRep, you contribute to decision-making without needing to vote manually on every proposal.
Constitutional Committee (CC)
This body ensures governance processes follow the network constitution. It has limited but critical powers, such as fast-tracking urgent protocol fixes.
Stake Pool Operators (SPOs)
SPOs run validator nodes that secure the network and participate in consensus. They also play a role in governance by voting on key proposals.
Together, these components form a robust, decentralized system where power rests with the community—not just developers or core teams.
Impact on ADA Stakers: Before vs. After the Hard Fork
To clarify the changes, here's a breakdown of how staking works before and after CIP-1694:
Before the Plomin Hard Fork
- Staking rewards were claimable at any time
- No governance delegation was required
- Users could undelegate freely
After the Plomin Hard Fork
- Rewards continue to accrue normally
- However, rewards cannot be withdrawn unless voting power is delegated
- Delegation applies even if you only want to abstain or express no confidence
In short: staking still works, but withdrawing rewards now requires governance participation.
How to Delegate Voting Power & Claim Rewards in Trust Wallet
Follow this simple guide to regain access to your staking rewards:
- Open Trust Wallet and navigate to the "Earn" section
- Select Cardano (ADA) Native Staking
- Tap Governance Status in the top-right corner
Choose one of three options:
- Abstain: You participate but don’t support or oppose proposals
- Delegate to a DRep: Assign voting rights to a trusted representative
- No Confidence: Signal disapproval of current governance direction
If choosing “Delegate to a DRep,” enter a valid DRep ID (optional)
- Find active DReps in the official DRep Directory
- Confirm the transaction on-chain
Once completed, you’ll be able to claim your accumulated staking rewards immediately.
👉 Take control of your digital assets and start earning with secure staking solutions.
Can You Change Your Governance Choice Later?
Yes—your governance status is fully updatable at any time. If you change your mind about abstaining, delegating, or expressing no confidence, simply:
- Go back to the Governance Status screen
- Tap your current selection
- Pick a new option
- Click Save Selection
- Confirm the transaction
There’s no penalty for changing your vote, and it doesn’t affect your staked ADA balance or ongoing rewards accrual.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I lose my staking rewards if I don’t delegate?
No—you don’t lose your rewards. They continue to accrue in your wallet but remain locked until you set a governance status (abstain, delegate, or no confidence).
Q: Can I delegate to multiple DReps?
Not directly. Each wallet delegates voting power as a single unit. However, some DReps represent groups or collectives that aggregate community input.
Q: What happens if I abstain from voting?
Abstaining counts as participation and allows you to claim rewards. It means you’re not actively supporting or opposing proposals but are still fulfilling the network’s governance requirement.
Q: Is my ADA at risk during this process?
No. Setting your governance status is a non-custodial action that doesn’t move or lock your funds. It only registers your voting preference on-chain.
Q: Do I need to re-stake my ADA after the upgrade?
No. Your existing stake remains active. Only the reward withdrawal mechanism has changed—not the staking process itself.
Q: Where can I learn more about active DReps?
Visit gov.tools/drep_directory for verified profiles, manifestos, and voting records of current DReps.
Final Thoughts: Staying Active in Cardano’s Decentralized Future
The CIP-1694 upgrade isn’t just a technical change—it’s a cultural shift toward true decentralization. By requiring governance participation to access rewards, Cardano incentivizes engagement and strengthens community ownership.
With Trust Wallet’s full support for this upgrade, users have everything they need in one secure, user-friendly app: staking, reward claiming, and now, direct involvement in shaping the future of the network.
Whether you choose to delegate, abstain, or voice no confidence, taking action ensures you maintain control over your assets and contribute to a more resilient blockchain ecosystem.
👉 Get started with secure crypto management and explore advanced staking opportunities now.