I just wanted to share my thoughts on Cardano. Personally, I'm quite impressed with the project and its potential. However, I've come across a few concerns that I think are worth discussing.

Recently, I had a conversation with some close friends who happen to be skilled software developers. These folks were actively involved in deploying smart contracts on the Cardano network, and I was quite surprised by what they had to say. One of them even managed to secure funding for multiple Catalyst projects – which is pretty remarkable.

Now, I wish I could dive into all the technical details they shared, but being a developer myself (though not in the blockchain space), I'll do my best to explain. The gist of it is that there seem to be some aspects of Cardano's smart contract functionality that might raise some eyebrows.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of Cardano and its potential. I just wanted to bring these points to the community's attention and hear your thoughts on the matter. It's important for us to have open and honest discussions about any project we're enthusiastic about.

The issue at hand revolves around decentralization, though not quite the conventional decentralization metrics we often discuss in the crypto realm (like the number of nodes or transactions per second). This particular problem delves a bit deeper.

The prevailing approach for most Cardano model (eUTXO) creates a problem where decentralized exchanges (DEXes) or any dApp involves a secondary layer for interacting with smart contracts (Cardano Computation Layer).
Instead of housing the complete smart contract within the blockchain, DEXes, Dapps, etc has build a custom solution for their part to maintain the service working.

The concern raised by these individuals pertains to the potential risks in this setup. For instance, if a senior developer at a DEX like MinSwap were to unexpectedly pass away without a backup plan, it could lead to a scenario where users' funds get trapped in a sort of "limbo." As a user, I wouldn't have the necessary Datum to directly engage with the contract I used on the DEX. Currently, the system relies on off-chain (Cardano Computation Layer) elements to fulfill these functions (as indicated in Cardano's documentation).

In essence, as a smart contract developer, you end up in a situation where you're required to perpetually update and maintain elements that ideally you shouldn't have to. The fundamental principle of decentralization is to build something that becomes a permanent fixture within the blockchain, allowing users to interact directly with the predefined rules. However, in the present setup, this isn't achievable without relying on off-chain components. As the individuals pointed out, this arrangement introduces risks and can be both arduous and costly to uphold.

The concept of decentralization should mean crafting systems that operate seamlessly within the blockchain framework, minimizing reliance on external components to ensure long-term stability and user access.

Additionally, one issue they pointed out was related to hard fork events. They highlighted that due to each dApp requiring a custom server with a Cardano node to interact with its smart contract, a hard fork could trigger a temporary "shutdown" of the service. Users might need to wait until platforms like DEXes update their Cardano nodes on their servers to resume interactions. This scenario doesn't align with the seamless experience we ideally seek. I'm intrigued by the notion of creating contracts that operate perpetually within the chain, without dependence on off-chain servers, maintenance, or additional nodes. This aligns with the principles of decentralization, fostering stability and consistent user access.

I'm essentially relaying what I've learned from skilled smart contract developers, and I want to emphasize that I'm not introducing new ideas here; I'm sharing insights from their perspective. They've encountered challenges that have led them to abandon certain projects due to the costs and maintenance hurdles involved.

It's crucial to acknowledge that Cardano's smart contract functionality within the blockchain holds significant promise and looks impressive. However, until the concerns raised by these developers are addressed, I've personally chosen to step back from interacting with Cardano's smart contracts. While I might still hold onto some tokens for potential gains in the next market upswing, Cardano won't be my primary foundational altcoin to hold.

I'm genuinely interested in hearing your thoughts on this matter. Should I lend weight to the opinions of these experienced developers, or do you think their concerns might be misguided? It's essential for us to have open and rational discussions about our investments, even if it means confronting potential issues that could impact our favorite projects.

I've been a Cardano holder since 2021, navigating through various market movements, so I can relate to the emotional attachment we sometimes develop towards our investments. Still, it's crucial to remain objective and informed, keeping our eyes wide open to the realities and challenges that emerge.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I appreciate any insights you might have to share.