ADA is the native cryptocurrency of the Cardano platform, which is an open-source blockchain that relies on the Proof-of-Stake principle. Cardano is distinguished by its scientific approach based on academic research and peer review in its development, aiming to provide a secure and scalable platform for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts.

ADA is used to pay transaction fees on the network and to participate in the governance of the protocol through staking, where holders can delegate their coins to support the network and earn rewards. The Cardano project focuses on sustainability, interoperability, and transparency, making it a strong competitor in the cryptocurrency space, with a long-term vision to serve billions of users worldwide.