Networks
A research led chain that ships slowly and formally verifies as it goes. Cardano publishes peer reviewed research before writing code. That makes it slower to ship and unusually careful about what it does ship.
Live market data
Live figures load from CoinGecko when the page opens and refresh when you reload. Prices move constantly and are for orientation only.
What Cardano is for
Cardano publishes peer reviewed research before writing code. That makes it slower to ship and unusually careful about what it does ship.
Technical summary
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Layer | Layer 1 |
| Launched | 2017 |
| Consensus | Ouroboros proof of stake |
| Throughput | About 10 |
| Finality | Probabilistic, minutes |
| Native token | ADA pays fees, is staked, and is locked as deposits |
Block explorers
An explorer lets you verify any transaction, address or contract on this network yourself. Learning to read one is the fastest way to stop taking anyone's word for anything.
Wallets that support it
What to be aware of
- Validator concentration varies widely between layer 1s and is worth checking rather than assuming.
- Newer chains have shorter track records under real adversarial pressure.
- Crypto assets are volatile. Drawdowns of seventy percent or more have happened on every network in this list, including the largest.
- Sending to an address on the wrong network can lose funds permanently. Always send a small test amount first.
Nothing on this page is investment advice. We describe how networks work, not whether you should buy anything.
Where to go next
New to Cardano?
We can get you set up with the right wallet, funded, and through a first transaction on this network in about an hour, on a screen share.