$ADA What is CARDANO ($ADA)?

Cardano is a third-generation Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain platform and home to the ADA cryptocurrency: the first to be founded on peer-reviewed research and developed using evidence-based methods. It combines pioneering technologies, including a unique two-layer architecture, to provide unmatched security, scalability, governance, and sustainability for decentralized applications, systems, corporations, and the general public.

Cardano was born from Charles Hoskinson, a mathematician and entrepreneur who co-founded Ethereum. In 2014, following disagreements over the future of Ethereum, Hoskinson changed course and sought to build a blockchain platform that could overcome the scalability, security, and sustainability issues facing existing systems. This vision led to the creation of IOHK (Input Output Hong Kong), a technology company dedicated to blockchain innovation, in 2015.

Cardano’s development follows a structured roadmap, divided into five eras, each focusing on key milestones:

Byron (Foundation): The initial phase laid the foundations, launched the ADA cryptocurrency, and established the core infrastructure of the Cardano blockchain.

Shelley (Decentralization): This era allowed Cardano to transition to a decentralized Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system, allowing the community to participate in securing and operating the network.

Goguen (Smart Contracts): Goguen introduced smart contracts functionality, allowing developers to create decentralized applications (dApps) and expand the utility of Cardano.

Basho (scaling): Focused on scalability and interoperability, Basho introduced parallel blockchains and other improvements aimed at increasing efficiency and throughput.