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What are blocks, slots, and epochs? 

olga.hryniuk@iohk.io
Cardano
Time on Cardano is divided into epochs. Each epoch is divided into slots – a short period of time in which a block can be created. Blocks carry information about recent transactions and their data, and are linked to the previous and next block creating an immutable chain of records. A Cardano epoch includes 432,000 slots (5 days).
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Is Cardano independently verified?

olga.hryniuk@iohk.io
Cardano
Development on Cardano is driven by peer-reviewed research. This means that before any feature is implemented, it undergoes scientific review and verification by academics. In addition, Quantstamp, a blockchain security specialist, has independently audited Cardano for quality and safety. After the audit, Quantstamp’s chief executive Richard Ma said Cardano ...
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What makes Cardano a third-generation blockchain?

olga.hryniuk@iohk.io
Cardano
Bitcoin and Ethereum are first- and second-generation proof-of-work blockchains. Cardano is known as the third-generation blockchain because it uses greener proof-of-stake technology and aims to resolve other issues with the previous generations. In particular, Cardano aims to ensure higher performance, resolve scalability and interoperability issues, and en...
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What is Cardano? 

olga.hryniuk@iohk.io
Cardano
Cardano is an open-source, proof-of-stake, public blockchain, the first to be founded on peer-reviewed research and development through evidence-based methods. Cardano combines pioneering technologies to provide unparalleled security and sustainability to decentralized applications, systems, and societies. Cardano exists to redistribute power from unaccounta...
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What is a public blockchain?

olga.hryniuk@iohk.io
blockchain
A public (or permissionless) blockchain is one that anyone can use without seeking permission. For example, to buy and sell ada or bitcoin, transact, or make payments. Such systems can be used for daily financial activities or by companies for commercial purposes.
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What is a private blockchain?

olga.hryniuk@iohk.io
blockchain
Private blockchains are usually established for a predefined number of users by closed organizations, or specific projects. Such blockchains can solve specific business problems relating to efficiency, security, or speed of transaction processing. Private blockchains are better suited for enterprises that seek to enhance their business processes without shar...
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What is a sidechain?

Morgan
SidechainFAQ
A sidechain is a blockchain that runs independently alongside the main chain and is linked to it. Transactions are transferred to the sidechain for processing and the results are sent back, thus taking the workload off the main chain. This improves speed, lowers execution fees, and increases overall throughput.
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What is Hydra?

Morgan
HydraFAQ
Hydra is a family of protocols that overlay the layer 1 Cardano blockchain to process transactions off the main chain. Hydra uses the main ledger as the secure settlement layer, boosts throughput, minimizes the delay in starting to process transactions, incurs low to no costs, and greatly reduces storage requirements.
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What is scalability?

Morgan
FAQScalability
Scalability is the ability of a system to handle more and more work efficiently. This is a vital property for a blockchain or it will become slower and more expensive to use. Addressing the scaling problems of earlier blockchains was a founding aim of Cardano and is the focus of the Basho stage of development. Read more about how Cardano scales in 2022.
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What is the Catalyst Circle?

Morgan
Catalyst CircleCatalyst+ 1
The Catalyst Circle is the representative body for groups participating in Project Catalyst. The Circle monitors the current state and future plans regarding governance in Catalyst. It detects and discusses concerns, objections, and opportunities arising within the Catalyst ecosystem. The Circle might discuss, for example, the definition of amounts allocated...
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What is Project Catalyst?

Morgan
Project CatalystFunding+ 1
Project Catalyst is a decentralized innovation fund for Cardano projects. Since 2020, 30,000 members have set hundreds of projects underway. Project Catalyst marked the start of Cardano’s Voltaire phase and is one of the world’s largest examples of on-chain governance. See more FAQs about Project Catalyst.
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What is a CIP?

Morgan
CIPCardano Improvement Proposal+ 1
CIP stands for Cardano Improvement Proposal and is a participatory model system that gives decision-making power to the community. A CIP has an expected format: the structure of the proposal is templated to facilitate discussion and review. This enables other community members to jump in and discuss specific proposals, or individual points in a proposal. The...
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What is the Plutus Pioneer program?

Morgan
Smart ContractsProgramming+ 3
The Plutus Pioneer program is a scheme to recruit and train developers to write smart contracts in Plutus on Cardano. Recruits are given access to courses about the principles of coding in both Haskell and Plutus. The course is highly interactive, with weekly videos, exercises, and Q\&A sessions, along with exclusive access to Plutus creators and experts. Th...
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What is Plutus?

Morgan
Smart ContractsProgramming+ 2
Plutus is a set of programming tools for writing smart contracts on Cardano. Plutus includes Plutus Core – the software that runs Plutus transactions and contracts – and the Plutus programming language, which is based on Haskell.
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What is the Marlowe Playground?

Morgan
MarloweSmart Contracts+ 2
Marlowe Playground is a testing platform where you can experiment with Marlowe contracts, including their development, simulation, and testing.' probably best. Marlowe contracts can be written in Javascript or Haskell.
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What is Marlowe?

Morgan
Smart ContractsFAQ+ 1
Marlowe is a web-based platform to build and run financial smart contracts visually, without needing deep programming knowledge. Marlowe contracts are straightforward and optimized for financial transactions. This provides a faster way for financial service providers to build expertise in smart contracts and blockchain technology.
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What is DApp certification?

Morgan
Smart ContractsFAQ
DApp certification and assurance help ensure that products meet certain quality standards. While voluntary (Cardano is open and decentralized), certification benefits both developers and users because it includes security checks that help with auditing smart contracts. There are three levels of certification, each of which is complementary to the others.
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What are DApps?

Morgan
Smart ContractsFAQ
DApp stands for decentralized application. That is a software app that works on blockchain. There are various types of DApps, including DeFi products, NFT markets, wallets, exchanges, games, and more.
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