What Is CARDANO ($ADA)?
Cardano is a third-generation proof-of-stake blockchain platform and home to ADA cryptocurrency: the first to be founded on peer-reviewed research and developed through evidence-based methods. It combines pioneering technologies, including a unique two-layer architecture, to provide unparalleled security, scalability, governance and sustainability to decentralized applications, systems, societies and the wider audience.
Cardano’s journey began with Charles Hoskinson, a mathematician and entrepreneur who co-founded Ethereum. In 2014, differing visions for Ethereum's future prompted Hoskinson to pursue a new direction, aiming to build a blockchain platform that could overcome the scalability, security, and sustainability challenges faced by existing systems. This vision led to the establishment of IOHK (Input Output Hong Kong), a technology company dedicated to blockchain innovation, in 2015.
Cardano’s development is guided by a structured roadmap divided into five eras, each focusing on key milestones:
Byron (Foundation): The initial phase laid the groundwork, launching the ADA cryptocurrency and establishing the Cardano blockchain's core infrastructure.
Shelley (Decentralization): This era transitioned Cardano to a decentralized proof-of-stake system, empowering the community to take part in securing and operating the network.
Goguen (Smart Contracts): Goguen introduced smart contract functionality, enabling developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) and expanding Cardano’s utility.
Basho (Scaling): Focused on scalability and interoperability, Basho introduced sidechains and other enhancements to increase network efficiency and throughput.
Voltaire (Governance): This phase is designed to create a self-sustaining governance model, allowing ADA holders to propose and vote on decisions shaping Cardano’s future.
Cardano aims to revolutionize blockchain technology with innovations like Hydra for scaling to millions of transactions per second, Mithril for streamlined validation, and Ouroboros Leios for enhanced security and scalability. It aims to boost interoperability through sidechains and strategic partnerships while empowering community governance with on-chain voting and a decentralized treasury. With advancements in smart contracts, flexible Babel fees, and real-world adoption in sectors like supply chain, Latin America, and global organizations, Cardano is shaping a scalable, accessible, and impactful blockchain ecosystem.
The native currency, ADA is the fuel that powers the Cardano blockchain and its growing ecosystem of applications and services. Among its utilities include paying transaction fees, staking for network security, and participating in on-chain governance to shape the platform's future. It also enables interactions with smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, NFT marketplaces, and other services, making it a versatile asset for users within the Cardano blockchain.
ADA is listed on Binance for trade and purchase. The current price of ADA is updated in real-time on Binance.