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What is ADA Cardano?

One of Ethereum's biggest competitors

22/07/2023


Welcome to this article dedicated to ADA Cardano, a digital currency that is attracting increasing interest in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. We'll explore the essential aspects of ADA to give you a clear, concise overview so you can make informed decisions about your investments in the exciting world of cryptocurrencies.


Who created Cardano?


Cardano, the blockchain that gave rise to the ADA cryptocurrency, was designed by a team of researchers and experts. The mastermind behind this ambitious project is Charles Hoskinson, a visionary entrepreneur and developer who was instrumental in Cardano's creation.

Charles Hoskinson is a well-known figure in the cryptocurrency world, as he is one of the co-founders of Ethereum, the second largest cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization after Bitcoin. However, Hoskinson left Ethereum in 2014, believing the project lacked a rigorous scientific approach and clear governance.


Drawing on his experience with Ethereum, Hoskinson decided to create a new blockchain platform that would overcome the shortcomings of existing projects and be guided by sound scientific research. So, in 2015, Hoskinson founded IOHK (Input Output Hong Kong), a research and development company dedicated to innovation in cryptocurrencies and blockchain.


The Cardano project was officially launched in 2017 after years of research, development and collaborations with experts around the world. Hoskinson has assembled a multidisciplinary team including scientists, software engineers, cryptographers and finance specialists, all sharing a common vision: to create a next-generation blockchain that is secure, scalable and sustainable.

In addition to the contribution of Charles Hoskinson and his team at IOHK, Cardano's development also involved two other major organizations: the Cardano Foundation and Emurgo. The Cardano Foundation is a non-profit foundation based in Switzerland, responsible for overseeing and promoting the development of the Cardano blockchain. Emurgo, meanwhile, is an investment company dedicated to expanding the Cardano ecosystem by supporting startups and projects using Cardano technology.


How does the Cardano blockchain work?


The Cardano blockchain is designed to be a third-generation platform, offering significant improvements over first- and second-generation blockchains such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Its operation is based on a consensus model called "Ouroboros", distinguished by the use of Proof of Stake (PoS) rather than the Proof of Work (PoW) used by Bitcoin.


Proof of Stake (PoS)


Proof of Stake is a consensus mechanism that allows holders of a cryptocurrency (in this case, ADA) to participate in the transaction validation process and network security based on the amount of ADA they hold and "stash" (lock) in a wallet. The idea is that the more ADA a user holds, the more likely they are to be chosen to validate a block of transactions.

Unlike proof-of-work, which requires miners to solve complex mathematical problems to validate transactions, proof-of-stake eliminates the need to solve energy-intensive calculations. This makes the Cardano blockchain much more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.


The Ouroboros protocol 


The Ouroboros protocol is the heart of Cardano's proof-of-stake blockchain. It is designed to guarantee network security and decentralization, while optimizing performance. The Ouroboros protocol uses a random selection process for validators, based on the number of ADAs they have staked. Selected validators are responsible for validating transactions and creating new blocks on the blockchain.

To ensure decentralization, the Cardano blockchain is divided into several staking "pools", each representing a group of ADA holders. Users can choose to delegate their staking to a pool rather than run their own validation node. This delegation enables a greater number of ADA holders to participate in the validation process, reinforcing the decentralization of the network.


Protocol updates 


Another important aspect of the Cardano blockchain's operation is its ability to update itself flexibly and scalably. Unlike some other blockchains, which can face governance and update issues, Cardano uses a decentralized, evidence-based governance approach.

The Cardano blockchain community, made up of ADA holders, developers and other stakeholders, can propose updates to the protocol and vote for a


Future prospects and limitations


The outlook for ADA is promising, as Cardano continues to work on various improvements and updates.

The expansion of partnerships and institutional adoptions could stimulate the actual use of ADA in real-world applications. Collaborations with companies, governments and organizations can increase the visibility and acceptance of ADA in the real world.

Cardano continues to conduct scientific research to improve the platform's security, performance and scalability. Future updates and technological enhancements will continue to strengthen Cardano's position as a leading blockchain platform.


Although ADA has many interesting features and great potential for further development, it is not without its limitations and challenges. 

One of the main limitations of ADA lies in the fierce competition within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. While many cryptocurrencies are looking to solve similar problems and offer advanced functionality, ADA has to compete with well-established projects such as Ethereum, which currently occupies a dominant position in the crypto and smart contract industry.

 

Conclusion


In conclusion, ADA, the cryptocurrency issued by the Cardano blockchain, offers an innovative and scientific approach to solving the problems of its predecessors. Thanks to its proof-of-stake model, diversified use cases and commitment to interoperability, ADA is positioned as a cryptocurrency with strong evolutionary potential.

However, it's important to note that the cryptocurrency space is dynamic and subject to rapid change. Before making any investment decisions, it is advisable to conduct thorough research and consult experts in the field.

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