A computer server running the Cardano node to validate transactions and produce blocks. Each pool holds the combined stake of many ada owners in a single entity, or pool. Rewards earned by the pool are shared between the operator and their stakeholders.
A person or organization that takes responsibility for setting up and keeping the pool running. This usually entails owning or renting a server, holding the key to the pool, and maintaining and monitoring the node.
A cryptocurrency whose value is held constant against one or more other assets. The assets may be a ‘basket’ of currencies, a single currency (eg, the US dollar or the euro), commodities such as gold or silver, stocks, or other cryptocurrencies. Stablecoins include mechanisms that maintain a low deviation from their target price and so are useful to store or...
Programs written to self-execute when certain pre-determined conditions are met. On Cardano, contracts can be written in Plutus, Marlowe, or Haskell. Such contracts are the basis of decentralized finance (DeFi).
The primary unit of time used by the Ouroboros algorithm. In current Cardano versions, a slot is exactly one second. Slots that are inhabited by blocks are called active slots. In early 2022, Cardano parameters set one in 20 slots as active, so the average block time is 20 seconds.
A stake pool that has the right to create a block on Cardano within the current slot. The selection process is based on the proportion of ada delegated to each pool.
A penalty charge on some proof-of-stake blockchains for dishonest behavior by network validators. There is no slashing on Cardano. Instead, Ouroboros provides incentives for good behavior. Each stake pool operator pledges funds to their pool to make it more attractive and earn a higher percentage of rewards. Dishonest behavior will result in loss of rewards....
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 a load off the main chain. This improves speed, lowers execution fees, and increases overall throughput.
A cryptographic token that represents a footprint of value defined by the community, market state, or self-governed entity. A token can be fungible (tradable) or non-fungible (unique), and act as a payment unit, reward, trading asset, or information holder.
Project Catalyst is a decentralized innovation fund for Cardano projects set up in 2020. Within two years, 30,000 members had set hundreds of projects underway with a treasury worth $1 billion ada. The project marked the start of Cardano’s Voltaire phase and is one of the world’s largest examples of on-chain governance.
A programming language and a set of tools for writing and testing smart contracts to be used on Cardano. Plutus is based on Haskell and provides a safe, full-stack programming environment.
This version of Ouroboros was deployed in August 2020. Praos introduced decentralized block production by stake pools. It also implemented a novel incentive mechanism for participating in block production and introduced mechanisms to defend against Sybil attacks.
The Crypsinous version of Ouroboros aims to provide security against adaptive attacks and introduces secure encryption relying on Snarks. Crypsinous is currently not planned for deployment on Cardano.
A version of Ouroboros designed to use a system clock based on blockchain technology. This removes the potential for attacks on blockchains that rely on external time sources such as the internet’s Network Time Protocol.