Cardano is an open-source decentralized public blockchain and cryptocurrency project. It is known for its unique proof-of-stake consensus algorithm called Ouroboros and its proprietary programming language Plutus. Cardano focuses on providing a more secure and sustainable blockchain ecosystem through its research-driven approach.
Cardano’s native token ADA secures the network through staking and governance. In comparison to legacy networks such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), the Cardano network has lower transaction fees. Cardano's higher throughput, however, is supposed to keep validation economically feasible, as higher transaction volumes make up for low fees.
Major contributors to the development of the Cardano blockchain platform and ecosystem are Cardano Foundation and Input Output Global, responsible for outreach and protocol development respectively. Third-party developers who choose to build decentralized applications (dApps) within the Cardano ecosystem are another slew of developers contributing to the growth of the platform.