$ADA

Cardano ($ADA) is a decentralized proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain platform focused on sustainability, scalability, and interoperability. Founded by Charles Hoskinson, a co-founder of Ethereum, Cardano was developed through peer-reviewed research and built using Haskell code. Its native token, ADA, is used for transactions, staking, and governance. Cardano operates in multiple phases: Byron (foundation), Shelley (decentralization), Goguen (smart contracts), Basho (scalability), and Voltaire (governance). It is known for its low energy usage compared to proof-of-work (PoW) networks like Bitcoin. The platform enables developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts with high security. ADA is staked to support network consensus and earn passive rewards.