-
Decentralized Exchange (DEX)
A Decentralized Exchange (DEX) is a type of cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to trade digital assets directly with one another without the need for an intermediary, such as a centralized exchange or a third-party custodian. Instead, DEXs operate through smart contracts on a blockchain, enabling peer-to-peer transactions in a secure and transparent manner. Key…
-
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) refers to a financial system built on blockchain technology that operates without intermediaries such as banks, brokerages, or exchanges. Instead, DeFi relies on smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements with terms written into code, allowing users to engage in various financial activities directly with one another. Key Features of DeFi: Example of…
-
In blockchain, each block has a header and a body. Generally speaking, what’s part of the header?
In a blockchain, the header of each block contains metadata that provides essential information about the block and its relationship to the rest of the blockchain. Typically, the header includes the following key components: These elements are crucial for the security, consistency, and functionality of the blockchain, ensuring that each block is linked to its…
-
What’s the Benefit of Using Daedalus vs. a Third-Party Exchange (like Coinbase)?
When it comes to managing your ADA on the Cardano blockchain, you have a variety of options. You can either use a dedicated full-node wallet like Daedalus, or you can opt for third-party exchanges like Coinbase to store and manage your cryptocurrency. While both methods serve the same purpose—managing your ADA—there are key differences in…
-
The Five Development Phases of the Cardano Roadmap
Cardano’s journey as a blockchain platform has been marked by careful planning, peer-reviewed research, and a long-term vision for a decentralized and scalable future. Unlike many other projects, it wasn’t rushed to market but developed with a strong focus on security, sustainability, and governance. Its growth is divided into five distinct phases, or eras, known…
-
Transaction Inputs & Outputs (Cardano)
In Cardano, transaction inputs and outputs are key components of the UTxO (Unspent Transaction Output) model, which is used to manage how value (such as ADA) is transferred across the blockchain. Let’s break down what they mean and how they work. Transaction Inputs Transaction Outputs Inputs and Outputs in Action Example Transaction Imagine your wallet…
-
How Cardano’s Blockchain Solves Problems in the Traditional Financial System
The financial world as we know it relies on trusted intermediaries like banks and payment processors to solve common problems related to transactions, ownership, and security. However, this centralized system, while effective, has certain limitations such as inefficiency, high costs, and single points of failure. Enter Cardano, a blockchain platform designed to tackle these same…
-
Decentralized Applications (dApps)
Decentralized Applications (dApps) on Cardano are blockchain-based applications that operate in a decentralized manner, without the need for intermediaries or centralized control. These applications are powered by smart contracts written in Cardano’s Plutus programming language, which enables them to execute pre-defined rules autonomously on the blockchain. Cardano dApps cover a wide range of functionalities, including…
-
Project Catalyst
Project Catalyst is an innovative initiative within the Cardano ecosystem designed to foster decentralized innovation and governance. It serves as a decentralized funding mechanism that allows the Cardano community to propose, vote on, and fund projects that aim to improve and expand the Cardano network and ecosystem. Here’s a detailed overview of Project Catalyst: Key…
-
Blockchain
A blockchain is a distributed and decentralized digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers in a way that is secure, transparent, and tamper-resistant. It consists of a chain of blocks, where each block contains a list of transactions. These blocks are linked together using cryptography, ensuring that once data is recorded, it…
