$ADA

ADA is the native cryptocurrency of the Cardano blockchain, designed to facilitate secure, scalable, and sustainable decentralized applications. Created by Charles Hoskinson, a co-founder of Ethereum, ADA operates on a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism called Ouroboros, which makes it energy-efficient and eco-friendly. It’s used for staking, transaction fees, and governance within the Cardano ecosystem. ADA gained attention for its scientific approach and peer-reviewed development, although critics argue that real-world adoption remains limited. Despite market volatility, ADA maintains a strong community and continues to evolve with upgrades like smart contracts and interoperability features, aiming to be a leader in decentralized finance (DeFi).