One of the computer servers or wallets making up the Cardano network. Each node holds a copy of the blockchain ledger and connects with other participants to help maintain network operations. A stake pool operator runs different types of nodes: a block-producing node and several relay nodes that are connected with each other. See Networking.
A unique token stored on a blockchain. NFTs can represent digital ownership rights of real-world assets such as a building or a painting or be an asset in and of themselves. Cardano supports NFTs as native tokens. This means that anyone can mint their own NFTs on Cardano without needing a smart contract, which avoids the error-prone complexity found in Ether...
Information about a digital file. In smart contracts, metadata sets out the conditions under which a deal should execute. In a non-fungible token, metadata can hold information about the ownership or intellectual rights, among other things.
How a node stores information about unconfirmed transactions. The mempool is essentially a holding area for transactions that haven't been included in a block yet.
The sub unit for ada. One ada = 1,000,000 lovelaces. The name comes from Ada Lovelace, the daughter of Lord Byron who became a mathematician and programmer with her work on Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine project.
A cryptocurrency wallet that does not need to download the full history of blockchain records. Instead, the wallet links into a website where the full blockchain is accessed. This makes a light wallet faster and easier to use.
A way to raise funds for DApps or projects on Cardano. A project offers its users tokens usable within its DApp in exchange for these users delegating their stake to the project’s pool. This increases the pool’s margin and helps it gain more rewards. Users receive staking rewards and benefit by getting utility tokens. There is no risk of losing funds because...
A computing engine that functions as a decentralized computer with millions of projects that can be executed. It serves as the foundation for Ethereum's complete operating system. EVM is the component of Ethereum that handles smart contract execution and deployment.
A summary of Cardano’s development through five essential themes (Byron, Shelley, Goguen, Basho, and Voltaire). Each development theme is centered around a set of functionalities meant to significantly and steadily improve the Cardano blockchain. A research-driven methodology is prioritized to ensure security and correctness over the speed of development.
An open-source permissionless blockchain platform built on the Ouroboros proof-of-stake protocol. Cardano was launched in 2017 to address issues with earlier blockchains such as high energy use, limited interoperability, and scalability challenges. Cardano is being developed in five phases: Byron (completed 2019), Shelley (decentralization, 2020), Goguen (sm...
Ada is Cardano’s native currency, which is named after Ada Lovelace, the English mathematician and programmer.
Ada can be used to pay transaction fees on the Cardano network and can also be delegated as stake to a stake pool, helping to secure the Cardano blockchain. Delegating ada allows the user to receive rewards for doing so. All rewards are distributed...
The process of creating or adding new coins or tokens to support the demand for transactions on a DEX. Liquidity miners (providers) usually get rewards that incentivize them to support the user base and grow liquidity pools with deposited cryptocurrencies.
An order book is the method of currency exchange used in traditional markets. In DEXs, an order book method is used to allow users to transfer assets in a decentralized manner. It a list of open buy and sell offers made by users for a specific number of assets. Every buy order needs to be matched with a sell order.
For example, a user makes an offer to sell...
A high level of assurance is key when developing and working with smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps). Applications in Cardano’s DApp Store will have the option to meet and display up to three levels of certification.