January 23, 2025
Cardano is a blockchain platform for changemakers, innovators, and visionaries, with the tools and technologies required to create possibility for the many, as well as the few, and bring about positive global change. Source: cardano.org
Cardano is a leading blockchain platform designed for flexibility, scalability, and sustainability, making it ideal for running smart contracts. These capabilities enable developers to create decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, crypto tokens, games, and more. Often considered a third-generation blockchain, Cardano builds on the foundations laid by Bitcoin and Ethereum, aiming to address their limitations in scalability and energy efficiency.
The platform’s native cryptocurrency, ADA, is used for payments, staking, and transaction fees. Cardano employs an energy-efficient proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism, Ouroboros, which minimizes its environmental impact while maintaining security. This innovation supports the platform’s mission to be the most sustainable blockchain in the industry.
Cardano was founded in 2015 by Charles Hoskinson, a co-founder of Ethereum, and officially launched in 2017. Dissatisfied with Ethereum’s trajectory, Hoskinson envisioned Cardano as a next-generation blockchain. The development was led by IOHK (Input Output Hong Kong), a blockchain engineering firm he co-founded.
The Cardano Foundation oversees the ecosystem’s development and adoption. Key milestones in Cardano’s history include:
• Shelley hard fork: Transitioned the platform to a decentralized PoS consensus.
• Alonzo upgrade: Introduced smart contract functionality.
• **Vasil and Valentine upgrades**: Enhanced scalability and cross-chain compatibility.
Cardano’s roadmap consists of five eras: Byron, Shelley, Goguen, Basho, and Voltaire, with each focused on specific advancements like decentralization, scalability, and governance.
Courtesy of cardano.org