Cardano (ADA)

Cardano is a third-generation, proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain designed to provide a more secure, scalable, and sustainable foundation for decentralized applications and smart contracts. Founded by Charles Hoskinson, a co-founder of Ethereum, Cardano emphasizes academic rigor and peer-reviewed research in its development process. Its layered architecture separates the settlement and computation layers, improving security and flexibility. The network’s Ouroboros consensus mechanism enables efficient energy use while maintaining decentralization. Cardano has gained recognition for its focus on governance, interoperability, and real-world adoption—particularly in education, identity, and supply chain use cases across emerging markets.