Cardano 101: What You Need to Know

Cardano was founded in 2014 by Charles Hoskinson, a former Ethereum developer. The Cardano blockchain protocol uses Ouroboros, an open source and proof-of-stake algorithm that determines how new blocks are added to the Cardano network.

The Cardano protocol validates transactions, verifies their integrity, and contributes to the overall robustness and error-freeness of the system. Cardano employs a “proof-of-stake” system instead of a proof of work system, in which ADA holders (Cardano’s token) owners are tasked with validating transactions in exchange for a reward, this is known as Ouroboros. You can stake Cardano and get rewarded. This can be an appealing way to earn money, and the best crypto brokers allow you to participate in staking for free or at a low cost.

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The Ouroboros blockchain platform uses less energy to verify transactions, making it more environmentally friendly. Cardano uses a measured and academically rigorous approach that is peer reviewed which means it has evolved more slowly than its competition, allowing for more stable future performance quickly making ADA one of the top cryptocurrencies.

Cardano works like the Ethereum network as it uses both decentralized apps and smart contracts, however its blockchain technology relies on something called proof of stake instead of proof of work, all of this is powered by their native coin known as ADA.

What is Cardano and how does it work?

Cardano operates under three main approaches that aim to solve five critical problems.

Cardano’s architecture: The Cardano blockchain network is split into two layers: the Cardano Settlement Layer (CSL) and the Cardano Computation Layer (CCL) (CCL). The CSL layer is used for ADA transfers, whereas CCL supports smart contract functionality, which allows programmers to create decentralized apps. One significant advantage of the two separate layers is that you can upgrade one of the layer while leaving the other unaltered, or you can perform two separate upgrades with independent attributes. Ethereum, on the other hand, handles both ETH transactions and smart contracts on the same layer, which frequently leads to congestion and high fees.

Consensus mechanism: Cardano is distinguished by its unique proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus algorithm – the mechanism that governs how to new transactions are agreed upon and added to the blockchain. Cardano’s proof-of-stake (PoS) system, known as Ouroboros, is more scalable and energy-efficient. Users do not have to mine tokens in PoS networks; instead, they participate in the block-validation process by staking the native token to validate transactions.

Approach: Cardano, uses a scientific peer-review procedure before releasing any new product, service, or update. This gives users a higher level of trust and assurance than the vast majority of other cryptocurrency ventures. First, scholarly papers are prepared outlining novel suggestions and the technology that underpin them. These articles are made accessible for evaluation by computer scientists and other academics who are interested. This is known as peer reviewed research. Cardano has published more than 128 publications so far and focuses on evidence based methods. Ouroboros is an example of a feature that went through this rigorous formal review procedure, which is currently ongoing.

This all aims to solve five main problems :

Scalability: This is one of the largest issues with PoW systems like Ethereum. Cardano’s PoS is works in a scalable fashion.

Interoperability: Because they use various architectural and coding languages, most blockchain networks are self-contained and unable to connect with one another. Ethereum achieves interoperability by creating its own ecosystem of tokens that follow a specific standard, usually ERC-20. Cardano intends to create genuine interoperability, allowing anybody to shift bitcoin to Ethereum without the need for intermediaries or friction.

Sustainability: Every blockchain network requires continuing upgrades, but who can afford to support engineers eager to work on new features if the network is completely decentralized? With a treasury, Cardano hopes to solve this problem. When a block is mined, a portion of the ADA rewards is sent to a separate wallet, and anyone who wishes to propose network changes can submit a poll and request funding. At the end of the process, stakeholders vote on whether or not the plan should be approved. The Ethereum Foundation, on the other hand, is a centralized organization that has a significant impact on how Ethereum functions and where the network is headed.

Governance: Once the last stage of development, dubbed “Voltaire,” is completed, Cardano plans to host a stakeholder voting system in the form of a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). With Voltaire, the Cardano community will be able to vote on changes to the Cardano platform. As part of a liquid democratic system, all ADA stakeholders will be allowed to vote or delegate others to vote on their behalf.

Philosophy: Cardano aspires to be a worldwide cryptocurrency ecosystem that reaches out to the unbanked, supports decentralized financial services, and improves the way the world works for everyone. They are focused on positive global change.

What is Cardano used for?

Cardano operates several different features on its platform. It is more useful to think of Cardano as a token that powers various financial services rather than simply as currency, though that is one of its functions as well. The following are what Cardano platform is used for:

  • Smart contracts: Cardano is a smart contract platform, which are contracts that automatically execute when the contract’s conditions are met. A smart contract is a computer protocol intended to digitally facilitate, verify, or enforce a negotiation or agreement. These contracts allow for credible transactions without third parties. These transactions are trackable and irreversible. Two parties agree to certain terms with a set of rules and guidelines written into computer code, which then automatically carries out those tasks as agreed upon by all parties involved. They can also be used in real estate or insurance industries as well as banking situations too. Smart contracts enable interactions between parties online.
  • Decentralized finance: Cardano allows people to bypass the middleman, such as banks and other financial institutions, and transact with other individuals or entities directly and without permission. Simply put, decentralized finance is defined as a set of technologies that help individuals and businesses perform financial operations without having to use a bank or any other centralized institution. Think of PayPal, but instead of sending and receiving funds through a web-based payment service, there’s a blockchain involved; all transactions are recorded transparently on that ledger with no one party able to control or manipulate them. The goal here is not only financial freedom—since your account isn’t owned by anyone else—but also security (and decentralization) through transparency.
  • Decentralized Applications (dApps): Decentralized apps (DApps) are internet-based programs that run on a P2P network. With decentralized apps, no single authority controls your data or interactions, so you don’t have to rely on an intermediary to handle requests and information. Instead, with DApps, you interact directly with whoever or whatever is on either end of your transactions. Cardano can enable lending, trading, asset management, insurance, and other traditional financial services as part of decentralized finance.
  • Currency: You can send and receive Cardano, as well as exchange it for goods and services, using a cryptocurrency wallet.

Is Cardano good investment?

Cardano platform if is a good investment due to the problems it is trying to solve. You can buy ADA on most major cryptocurrency exchanges and many, like Binance, crypto.com etoro and Kraken.

5 Things to Know Before You Buy Cardano (ADA)

1. ADA, the name of the Coin is named after Ada Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer.

Cardano will live on in Countess Ada Lovelace’s memory. She was a mother of three children, a mathematician, a gambler, and a writer. She is widely regarded as the first person in history to recognize that computers could be used for more than just calculations.

2. The founder of Cardano, Charles Hoskinson, may be recognizable from other blockchain projects as he is one of the cofounders of the Ethereum Network.

Buterin preferred a nonprofit, whilst Hoskinson preferred a commercial endeavor. Buterin withdrew Hoskinson from the Ethereum project in 2014 due to this disagreement.

3. The Ethiopian Ministry of Education has partnered with Cardano.

The Cardano blockchain will be used to keep tamper-proof records for Ethiopia’s five million schoolchildren. Students’ records and accomplishments will be available on the blockchain as they pursue higher education and careers.

4. You can currently buy Cardano on most major cryptocurrency exchanges

While you can buy Cardano on most major crypto exchanges, not every exchange will allow you to stake your ADA and earn cryptocurrency. the following exchanges allow you to buy and stake ada.

  • Binance 
  • Kraken 
  • Bitfinex 
  • Crypto.com 
  • KuCoin 
  • eToro 

5. Cardano can handle large amount of transactions

Scalability has been an issue for the larger cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin processes about five transactions per second, while Ethereum processes about fifteen. This results in slower transactions with higher fees. Visa, on the other hand, processes approximately 1,700 transactions per second.

Cardano process about 257 transactions per second. It also intends to add another layer to its blockchain, dubbed Hydra. This technology has the potential to process 1 million transactions per second.

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