Cardano blockchain is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform designed for secure and scalable smart contract development. Founded by Charles Hoskinson, one of Ethereum’s co-founders, Cardano emphasizes a research-driven approach, peer-reviewed protocols, and formal methods in its development. Built on a layered architecture, it separates the settlement and computation layers, enhancing flexibility and security. Its consensus mechanism, Ouroboros, is an energy-efficient proof-of-stake (PoS) protocol. Cardano supports ADA, its native cryptocurrency, which is used for transactions and staking. The platform is popular for building decentralized applications (dApps), especially in areas like identity management, supply chain tracking, and finance. Its focus on academic rigor, interoperability, and sustainability distinguishes it from other blockchains and positions it as a long-term player in the Web3 space.