Cardano's academic approach to blockchain – here's the latest: • Launched in 2017 with a two-layer architecture for scalability and upgrades • Uses Ouroboros, an energy-efficient proof-of-stake consensus mechanism • Smart contracts use Plutus and Marlowe, emphasizing security via formal verification • Current market cap is $9.82B, ranking #13 with very low volatility (12 February 2026) • Maximum supply is 45B ADA, with ~81.8% currently in circulation


