Cardano blockchain

Cardano is a layer 1 blockchain that aims to be faster, cheaper and more sustainable than older networks. It can process around 250 transactions per second in its current form. The network uses a proof-of-stake protocol called Ouroboros that was designed and reviewed by academics. This consensus method secures the chain while using far less energy than proof-of-work systems. Cardano splits work between two layers. The settlement layer records who owns what. The computational layer runs smart contracts and lets developers build dApps, DeFi services and NFTs. The native token ADA powers transactions and is also used for governance votes. ADA has a fixed maximum supply of 45 billion tokens. Staking lets holders earn rewards for securing the network. You can delegate stake to validators without locking your coins up. Low transaction fees make small payments and experiments practical. That fee economy helps attract developers and users who would be priced out on high-fee chains. Cardano’s design emphasizes reproducible security and formal methods. The aim is predictable behavior and safer smart contracts. Interoperability work focuses on bridges and sidechains so assets can move between chains. Scaling efforts include off‑chain and on‑chain techniques and the Hydra approach that targets very high throughput in the future. A scalable, interoperable and efficient base layer can host many real world applications. The community steers upgrades through on‑chain governance and allocated innovation funds so projects can be proposed and voted on by token holders. For security, private keys should be stored offline in hardware wallets or other cold storage options. Backups and seed phrases remain the last line of recovery. Cardano’s low energy profile makes it appealing to groups concerned about sustainability. Compared with proof‑of‑work chains it is much lighter on electricity and that can matter for long‑term adoption. The ecosystem already supports marketplaces, lending, stablecoins and NFT collections and it continues to grow. Think of Cardano as a city of protocols where rules are argued in public halls and code becomes civic infrastructure. It is not perfect and trade‑offs remain, but its mix of formal research, practical staking, low fees and a roadmap toward massive scalability positions it as a major option for those exploring decentralized platforms.