Cardano (ADA)

ADA is the native cryptocurrency of the Cardano network. It is used to pay transaction fees, transfer value, participate in staking, and take part in governance. Cardano’s proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, Ouroboros, allows ADA holders to delegate their coins to stake pools or operate validation infrastructure themselves. In return, participants can earn rewards while helping secure the network, without the energy-intensive mining process associated with proof-of-work systems.

The Cardano architecture separates settlement and computation concepts, an approach intended to make payments, smart contracts, and future upgrades easier to manage. Its smart contract capabilities enable decentralized finance applications, token issuance, identity tools, and other blockchain-based services. The project also places emphasis on scalability, interoperability, and real-world use cases, including financial access and digital infrastructure in emerging markets.

Cardano was founded by Charles Hoskinson, a co-founder of Ethereum, and is supported by several organizations with different roles. Input Output Global contributes to core engineering and research, the Cardano Foundation promotes adoption and standards, and Emurgo focuses on commercial development. In 2025, Grayscale Investments filed for a Cardano exchange-traded fund in the United States, highlighting ADA’s growing visibility among traditional investors.