Cardano (ADA)

Cardano is a decentralized public blockchain and cryptocurrency project that is fully open-source. It was founded in 2015 by Charles Hoskinson, a co-founder of Ethereum, with a focus on a more scientific and peer-reviewed approach to blockchain development. Unlike traditional consumer goods, Cardano is 'manufactured' or maintained through a global network of independent stake pool operators and developers distributed across various countries.

The project is overseen by the Cardano Foundation, based in Switzerland, which acts as a non-profit regulatory and promotional body. The technical development is primarily spearheaded by IOG (Input Output Global), formerly known as IOHK. Cardano is unique for its use of the Ouroboros proof-of-stake protocol and its two-layer architecture, which separates accounting transitions from computed smart contracts, aiming for higher security and scalability.