$ADA

Cardano (ADA) is a blockchain platform focused on scalability, sustainability, and interoperability. Launched in 2017 by Charles Hoskinson, a co-founder of Ethereum, Cardano utilizes a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism called Ouroboros, making it more energy-efficient than traditional proof-of-work systems like Bitcoin.

ADA, the platform's native cryptocurrency, is used for transaction fees, staking, and governance. Cardano has a layered architecture, separating the settlement and computation layers to enhance security and flexibility. It supports smart contracts through its Plutus platform, enabling decentralized applications (DApps).

With ongoing developments like Hydra for scalability and partnerships in finance and education, Cardano aims to provide a secure and decentralized infrastructure for the future of blockchain technology.