Back to blog
Crypto Basics

Cardano (ADA) Crypto – What It Is and How It Works?

Learn everything about Cardano (ADA) crypto and how it works in this descriptive guide.
Token Metrics Team
8 minutes
Want Smarter Crypto Picks—Free?
See unbiased Token Metrics Ratings for BTC, ETH, and top alts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
 No credit card | 1-click unsubscribe

Cardano (ADA) can be described as a blockchain platform that’s designed to enable the development of decentralized applications and smart contracts. It is the first blockchain platform to be built on a scientific philosophy and to be developed through peer-reviewed research and scientific rigor. Developed by a global team of leading researchers and engineers, Cardano is set to revolutionize the way we use and interact with blockchain technology. 

This beginner's guide to Cardano will provide you with all the information you need to understand the platform, its features, and how to use it. From its unique consensus algorithm to its native token ADA, this guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of Cardano. Whether you're a beginner interested in learning more about Cardano or a blockchain expert looking for the latest information, this guide has you covered from end-to-end. 

History of Cardano

Cardano was founded by Charles Hoskinson, who also co-founded Ethereum. However, Cardano is a very different platform from Ethereum regarding its design and goals. Whereas Ethereum is a decentralized application ("dapp") platform designed to power all sorts of different decentralized applications, Cardano is designed to be a "first generation" blockchain platform that can be used to build decentralized applications, as well as other things.

The Cardano Foundation, IOHK, and Emurgo are developing the Cardano platform. The three groups are working together to build the Cardano platform and will hold a stake in the Cardano ecosystem. 

The first phase of Cardano's development began in 2015. At the time, a company called Input-Output (IOHK) was contracted to build the platform. In 2017, IOHK decided to hand over control of the project to the Cardano Foundation and Emurgo. The three partners are now working together to bring Cardano to market. The next development phase has been completed sometime between 2020 and 2021. After that, Cardano emerged as a fully decentralized blockchain.

How Does Cardano Work?

The Cardano platform uses a proof of stake (PoS) consensus algorithm to manage its decentralized network. Proof of stake is a consensus algorithm where the right to add new blocks to the blockchain is determined not by computing power but by coin ownership. In PoS-based blockchains, users must "stake" or "deposit" their coins to add new blocks to the blockchain for a certain amount of time. The more coins a user stakes, the greater the chance that the user will be selected to add a new block. Cardano uses the Ouroboros proof of stake algorithm. 

Ouroboros is the first proof of stake algorithm to be proven secure in a peer-reviewed paper. This unique algorithm uses a "random selection of a catch-up fellow" to create a network with no central authority. In other words, no single person or group can control the network. The algorithm works by randomly selecting a "follower" who can "catch up" with the "leader."

The leader is the person responsible for adding new blocks to the blockchain. The follower has one job: to predict what the leader will do. If the follower is correct, they are promoted to the leader and given a chance to add a new block. If the follower is incorrect, they remain a follower, and another random person is selected to catch up. The Ouroboros algorithm was expected to be completed by June 2020. But, according to recent reports, Charles Hoskinson said that the Ouroboros Genesis implementation will be in 2023.

Cardano's Development and Governance

The development and governance of Cardano are handled by three large organizations:

The Cardano Foundation: The Cardano Foundation maintains Cardano's core. This group promotes the platform, manages its marketing and communications, and defends the brand.

IOHK: IOHK leads the team behind Cardano's core. This group is responsible for developing and maintaining the platform's core software and bringing new features to the market.

Emurgo: The third group, Emurgo, brings businesses and investments to the Cardano ecosystem. Emurgo helps businesses integrate with the Cardano network and encourages others to build projects on the Cardano platform.

The functioning of Cardano stands tall because of the highly secured and powerful ecosystem as mentioned above. Now, what is Cardano’s native token ADA?

Cardano's Native Token - ADA

Cardano's native token, ADA, sends money on the Cardano blockchain. It also rewards people who help maintain and build the network. The team behind Cardano has stated that ADA is more than just a token: it also serves as "the fuel that drives the Cardano ecosystem." Cardano’s development team has stated that the platform will be fully decentralized once the network has been around for a few years. Until then, the platform will be maintained by a group of stakeholders who have a vested interest in the platform's success. These stakeholders have a stake in the system and are rewarded with ADA for helping maintain the platform. 

There are 3-easy ways to earn ADA

  • Hosting a node, 
  • Providing software assurance, or 
  • Contributing to the development of Cardano's software or research.

Apart from these, Cardano’s powerful 3-layered ecosystem makes it reliable and trustworthy. 

The 3-Layered Cardano's Ecosystem

Here are the three secured-layers that constitute Cardano (ADA): 

The Cardano Network: The Cardano network is the blockchain that runs the ADA token and smart contracts. It is maintained by the stakeholders, who receive ADA for their work.

Cardano's core technology: The Cardano core represents the core software that powers the Cardano network. This includes the programming languages used to build decentralized applications and the virtual machine that runs those apps.

All the projects built on top of the Cardano platform: The Cardano projects layer lists all the decentralized applications built on top of the Cardano network.
To top it all, you can also enjoy the benefit of smart contracts on Cardano. 

Smart Contracts On Cardano

Although Cardano is designed to be a dapp platform, it can also be used to build smart contracts. The programming language used to build smart contracts on Cardano is called Haskell and Cardano's virtual machine, called the "Computing Resources And Dispatcher" (CRDD), can execute many programming languages.

Any decentralized application built in any programming language can be hosted on the Cardano network. Cardano's smart contracts are unique because they are the first to be verified by a formal verification tool called the "Industrial Strength Verification" (ISV). This tool will help you confirm whether or not a smart contract is safe to use.

Cardano's Use Cases

Use Case #1: The first use case for Cardano is a decentralized application platform. This means that developers can build apps on top of the Cardano blockchain. These dapps will be able to send and receive ADA and use other features like the ability to create a wallet or sign a transaction. 

Use Case #2: The second use case for Cardano is as a financial asset. Investors can buy and sell ADA on cryptocurrency exchanges, and the token could also represent ownership in a company.

Now, let’s see the security measures that Cardano aims to offer.

Security on Cardano

One of the most common questions about Cardano is how secure it is compared to other blockchains. Cardano does not claim to be more secure than other blockchains but seeks to be as secure as possible. The team behind Cardano has said that one of their goals is to be the "safest and most reliable blockchain." 

One way Cardano strives to be more secure is through its unique design. While other blockchains are designed to do one thing well, Cardano is designed to do many different things less well. Cardano's design means no single platform part is crucial to its operation. If one part of the platform fails, many other parts can take its place. This indicates safety at its best.

Is Cardano a Worthy Investment?

There we are swinging again to whether or not Cardano is a good investment. Let’s check out the latest updates before we decide, shall we?

According to the Cryptoglobe’s Report, ADA’s price might soar up to 100% by 31st January, 2023. Major upgrades are being anticipated by investors to improve DeFi’s significance through its oracles.

So, Cardano is something to look forward to owing to its upcoming features. 

Future of Cardano

Let’s dive a bit further into the future. Cryptopolitan thinks the price of ADA will soar up to $21.35 on an average, with a minimum price of $20.55. Changelly also believes that ADA price will rise, but the website thinks the coin price will only peak at $15.69, with an average of $13.92, similar to the data from Price Prediction. The website’s analysts predict that the coin’s maximum price will be $15.69 with a minimum of $13.55.

Most experts predict that Cardano might see a bright future in 2023. With persistent developments Cardano’s ecosystem has been witnessing, and in the crypto asset market as a whole, Cardano can potentially reach a new high.

The Bottom Line

Cardano aims to be a "first generation" blockchain technology. The platform is being built by a group of organizations, each with a specific role in the project.

The team hopes this design will help Cardano achieve its goal of being the most secure blockchain. The platform uses a unique consensus algorithm, and its native token is storable in various wallets. The token can be used to represent ownership in a company. 

Build Smarter Crypto Apps &
AI Agents in Minutes, Not Months
Real-time prices, trading signals, and on-chain insights all from one powerful API.
Grab a Free API Key
About Token Metrics
Token Metrics: AI-powered crypto research and ratings platform. We help investors make smarter decisions with unbiased Token Metrics Ratings, on-chain analytics, and editor-curated “Top 10” guides. Our platform distills thousands of data points into clear scores, trends, and alerts you can act on.
30 Employees
analysts, data scientists, and crypto engineers
Daily Briefings
concise market insights and “Top Picks”
Transparent & Compliant
Sponsored ≠ Ratings; research remains independent
Want Smarter Crypto Picks—Free?
See unbiased Token Metrics Ratings for BTC, ETH, and top alts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
 No credit card | 1-click unsubscribe
Token Metrics Team
Token Metrics Team

Recent Posts

Research

What Is the MCP Server? Exploring Token Metrics’ Model Context Protocol API and Integrations

Token Metrics Team
8 min

In today’s fast-moving crypto market, one truth has become clear: data is not enough—intelligence is everything. Traders, developers, and crypto-native builders are overwhelmed with fragmented tools, inconsistent APIs, and incompatible formats. That's where the Token Metrics Crypto MCP Server changes the game.

In this article, we’ll explore what the MCP Server is, how Token Metrics MCP services work, and how this innovative platform is integrated with leading tools like OpenAI Agents SDK, Windsurf, Cursor AI, Zapier, QuickNode, and Cline. If you’re building in crypto, this guide will show you how to unify your stack, streamline development, and unlock the full power of AI-powered crypto analytics.

What Is the Token Metrics MCP Server?

The MCP Server stands for Model Context Protocol—a lightweight gateway designed by Token Metrics to solve one of the crypto industry’s most persistent problems: tool fragmentation.

From ChatGPT-style agents to desktop dashboards, IDE assistants, and CLI tools, every crypto developer or trader juggles multiple keys, schemas, and inconsistent API responses. The MCP Server solves this by acting as a single interface that translates requests from any client into one canonical crypto data schema—all while sharing the same API key and authentication.

In Simple Terms:

  • Paste your key once.
  • Every tool—OpenAI, Claude, Windsurf, Cursor, Cline—gets access to the same data.
  • No more rewriting requests, managing multiple schemas, or troubleshooting mismatched results.

Why Use the MCP Server Instead of Separate APIs?

Here’s why Token Metrics MCP is a breakthrough:

This is more than a convenience—it’s a productivity multiplier for any serious crypto developer or trader.

Token Metrics API: Intelligence Beyond Price Charts

At the core of the MCP Server lies the Token Metrics Crypto API—an industry-leading data source used by funds, traders, DAOs, and builders worldwide.

Key Features:

  • Trader & Investor Grades: AI-powered indicators that rank tokens based on performance potential.
  • Bullish/Bearish Signals: Predictive entries and exits, generated using real-time market conditions.
  • Quant Metrics: Sharpe Ratio, Value at Risk, Volatility Scores, and more.
  • Support & Resistance Levels: Updated dynamically as markets move.
  • AI Sentiment Analysis: Tracks social, on-chain, and momentum signals across narratives.

The API covers 6,000+ tokens across chains, sectors, and market caps—providing both raw and AI-processed data.

MCP Server Integrations: Powering the Future of Autonomous Crypto Tools

Here’s how MCP connects seamlessly with today’s top tools:

1. OpenAI Agents SDK And Token Metrics MCP

OpenAI’s Agents SDK is a new developer-friendly framework for building autonomous AI workflows—like trading bots and research assistants. When integrated with MCP, developers can:

  • Build agents that call Token Metrics tools (Trader Grade, Risk Score, Signals)
  • Share memory across model calls
  • Route responses to dashboards, bots, or UIs

Result: An end-to-end autonomous crypto agent powered by real-time, AI-grade intelligence—without needing a full backend.

2. Windsurf And Token Metrics: Live Dashboards with AI Signals

Windsurf is an automation-first IDE that allows instant deployment of crypto dashboards. Using MCP, Token Metrics powers:

  • Real-time signal updates
  • Token clustering analysis
  • Instant alert systems
  • Risk management dashboards

Windsurf helps you turn Token Metrics signals into live, interactive intelligence—without code bloat or lag.

3. Cursor AI And Token Metrics MCP: Prompt-Driven Agent Development

Cursor is an AI-native IDE where you can write trading logic and agents through plain English prompts. Integrated via MCP, developers can:

  • Ask: “Build a trading agent using Token Metrics signals.”
  • Get: Python scripts powered by real-time API calls.
  • Refine: Run backtests, adjust triggers, and redeploy—all in seconds.

Use case: Build a working DeFi trading agent that watches Trader Grade flips, sentiment surges, and cluster breakouts—no manual research needed.

4. Cline (Roo Code) And Token Metrics: Conversational Bot Building

With Cline’s Roo Code extension inside VS Code, you can:

  • Summon Token Metrics data by prompt
  • Write code to backtest and trade instantly
  • Analyze tokens like Hyperliquid using live grades, quant metrics, and AI sentiment

Thanks to MCP, every API call is pre-authenticated, normalized, and accessible in seconds.

MCP for Teams: Research to Execution in One Stack

The real power of MCP comes from its multi-client coordination. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Step 1: Analyst asks Claude or ChatGPT:
“Show me the top 5 mid-cap AI tokens with rising grades.”

Step 2: Windsurf pulls a live shortlist with price/sentiment charts.

Step 3: Cursor spins up a trading script based on buy signals.

Step 4: Zapier posts a morning update to Telegram and Sheets.

Step 5: Cline runs backtests on yesterday’s performance.

Step 6: Tome updates your weekly investor pitch deck.

All powered by one API key. One schema. One MCP gateway.

Pricing, Tiers, and $TMAI Savings

Final Thoughts: Build Smarter, Trade Smarter

The Token Metrics Crypto MCP Server is more than an API gateway—it’s the backbone of a modern, AI-powered crypto development stack.

If you want to:

  • Build a Discord bot that explains Trader Grades
  • Deploy a trading strategy that adapts live to the market
  • Stream daily index summaries to your Telegram group
  • Develop a real-time DeFi dashboard in your IDE
  • Let agents summarize token risk for your VC pitch deck

… then you need the MCP Server.

Get Started Now!

Get Your Free API Key
MCP Client Setup Instructions
Join the Token Metrics Dev Telegram
Browse the MCP GitHub

The future of crypto intelligence is here—and it’s multi-client, AI-powered, and real-time.

Research

Altcoin Season Delayed? 2025 Crypto Market Cap Trends Explained

Token Metrics Team
8 min

Click here to trade cryptos at MEXC!

Contact us at promo@tokenmetrics.com for marketing and sponsorship programs.

In 2025, much of the altcoin market remains subdued. Prices for many tokens are still down more than 90% from their all-time highs. Despite sporadic rallies and renewed interest in certain sectors like meme coins or AI, a broader altcoin season has yet to materialize. The question facing many crypto investors now is: why?

In this analysis, we explore the macro and structural reasons for altcoin underperformance, unpack the liquidity bottleneck, and discuss what might change this narrative going forward.

The Data: Altcoins Still Deep in the Red

By mid-2025, most altcoins remain far below their PEAQ valuations from the last cycle. While Bitcoin and a few select large caps have recovered or even set new highs, the broader altcoin ecosystem continues to lag. This decoupling is not new—it happens every cycle—but the magnitude and persistence this time are notable.

A combination of market structure changes and supply-side dynamics are likely responsible.

Why Liquidity Hasn’t Returned

The most critical variable is liquidity. In previous bull runs, altcoin rallies were fueled by large inflows of new capital. This fresh money—often speculative—moved quickly through different sectors, inflating valuations across the board.

Today, however, the crypto market cap sits at around $3.3 trillion, with only ~$300 billion in net new capital added since the start of the cycle. At the same time, there are far more tokens than ever before. This mismatch between capital and available supply has diluted flows and suppressed upside for all but the strongest assets.

Instead of every token catching a bid, capital is rotating selectively, often into Bitcoin, a few meme coins, or tokens associated with highly visible narratives.

Token Supply Has Exploded

One major shift is the sheer number of tokens now on the market. Since the last bull run, the number of tradable crypto assets has increased significantly—perhaps by an order of magnitude. Many of these tokens have little to no trading volume, real users, or sustained community.

This oversupply of assets creates a fragmented market where attention and liquidity are spread thin. As a result, the days of altcoin beta—when nearly every token would rally simply because “the market is up”—may be over.

Going forward, performance may rely more on fundamentals, usage, and real demand.

Sector Rotation Dominates

Rather than broad-based rallies, the market is experiencing sectoral rotations. Capital flows aggressively between narratives: from meme coins to AI tokens, then to DePIN, and perhaps next to RWAs or perpetual DEXs.

This “hot potato” behavior means even when a sector performs, it's often short-lived. Many traders chase the next hype wave rather than allocating with conviction. The result is volatility without trend sustainability, and thin liquidity across most altcoins.

Institutions Are Still Focused on Bitcoin

Another reason altcoins lag is that institutional interest remains centered on Bitcoin—and to a lesser extent, Ethereum. This is particularly true in 2025, as the regulatory landscape slowly becomes more defined and risk appetite stays muted.

Bitcoin continues to benefit from a macro narrative that positions it as a hedge against inflation, fiat instability, and geopolitical risk. With potential for further escalation in global conflicts and economic uncertainty, BTC is often the first and only crypto asset to attract serious inflows.

Until altcoins can offer a comparable use case or risk-adjusted return, institutional capital will likely remain concentrated in BTC.

Click here to trade cryptos at MEXC!

Contact us at promo@tokenmetrics.com for marketing and sponsorship programs.

What Needs to Change

There are several potential catalysts that could eventually bring altcoins back into focus. These include:

  • Improved Liquidity: More capital entering crypto markets through new ETFs, stablecoin infrastructure, or sovereign adoption.
  • Macro Stabilization: A return to risk-on environments globally could expand investor appetite for high-beta crypto assets.
  • Real Usage: Tokens that can demonstrate strong on-chain revenue, user growth, or ecosystem traction may attract sustained demand.
  • Narrative Shifts: New technological breakthroughs or mass adoption events (e.g., consumer applications, financial integrations) could lead to renewed enthusiasm.
  • Token Burn and Scarcity: Projects that reduce supply through burns or buybacks may outperform in a low-liquidity world.

Avoiding the “Musical Chairs” Risk

An important takeaway from the current market environment is the growing risk of holding underperforming assets too long. The metaphor of “musical chairs” applies here—when the music stops, not all tokens will have a place.

Just as the dot-com bubble led to a major culling of internet companies, the crypto market may be undergoing a similar filtering process. Those with product-market fit, sustainable economics, and user adoption will likely survive. Others may not recover.

Bitcoin as the Benchmark

Bitcoin has become the benchmark asset for crypto, both in terms of performance and narrative. It remains the asset most closely tied to global macro conditions and institutional flows.

Its relative strength has made it a measuring stick for evaluating the rest of the market. Many altcoins are now being judged not just in fiat terms, but in BTC-relative performance. If they can’t outperform Bitcoin on a risk-adjusted basis, they may struggle to justify their place in portfolios.

Long-Term Outlook: Selective Optimism

Despite short-term underperformance, we remain open to altcoin opportunities—but with greater caution and selectivity. The current environment favors a “barbell strategy”: holding a core position in Bitcoin while selectively allocating to altcoins with verifiable traction.

This is no longer a market where every token rides the same wave. Success in 2025 likely comes from identifying the few that can break out due to clear product value, strong teams, and real-world adoption.

Conclusion

The altcoin market in 2025 reflects a maturing, more fragmented crypto ecosystem. The free liquidity and speculative exuberance of previous cycles have given way to a more competitive, filtered environment.

For investors and builders alike, this isn’t a reason to despair—but a reason to be more focused. As the market resets, those who adapt their frameworks to the new reality may find long-term success. The next wave of winners may already be building—quietly, under the surface.

Click here to trade cryptos at MEXC!

Contact us at promo@tokenmetrics.com for marketing and sponsorship programs.

Announcements

Token Metrics Launches $200K Grant Program to Back Crypto Builders

Token Metrics Team
8 min

In an era where crypto is moving faster than ever, the next generation of innovation will be driven by bold builders who fuse AI with blockchain. Whether it’s a project that analyzes sentiment across the market, scores tokens with precision, or generates real-time trading signals—Token Metrics is here to fund the future.

That’s why we’re excited to announce the Token Metrics $200K Grant Program — a bold initiative to empower crypto innovators at any stage.

💸 Why We’re Launching This Grant

Crypto innovation has always thrived on open experimentation. But we know firsthand how tough it can be to go from idea to product. You need the right tools, data, support, and—yes—capital.

We’re opening the doors to all Web3 builders, researchers, hackers, and startup teams with one goal: to supercharge the creation of AI-powered crypto tools that change the game.

If you're building anything in:

  • Crypto market intelligence
  • Sentiment analysis
  • Token scoring systems
  • AI trading bots
  • On-chain analytics
  • DeFi strategy tools

…then this program is for you.

🎁 What You Get

Here’s what each selected project receives:

✅ Up to $5,000 in Grants

No strings attached. We’re offering non-dilutive microgrants to help you push your project forward—whether it's hosting costs, engineering hours, or marketing.

✅ Free Access to Token Metrics API

You’ll get direct access to our AI-powered crypto data platform, including investor and trader grades, signal alerts, technical indicators, and more. Build with institutional-grade tools.

✅ Technical Support and Mentorship

Our engineering and product team is on standby to help you with integration, use cases, and product guidance. Get real feedback from people who live and breathe crypto trading and AI.

✅ Community of Builders

You’ll join a thriving ecosystem of developers, analysts, and AI tinkerers who are all solving similar challenges. Share feedback, collaborate, and level up together.

🛠 Who Can Apply?

The grant is open to all stages of projects:

  • 💡 Idea Stage – Have an idea and a plan to build? You’re eligible.
  • 🧪 Beta/Prototype – Already building and testing? Let’s accelerate you.
  • 🚀 Launched Product – Need support to scale? We’re here for it.
  • 💰 Paying Users – Time to expand? We can help you get there faster.

No matter your background, location, or company size—if you’re building something innovative at the intersection of crypto + AI, we want to hear from you.

🌐 What You Can Build with the Token Metrics API

The possibilities are vast. Some ideas we’d love to see:

  • AI-powered Token Rating Tools – Use our Trader and Investor Grades to generate insights.
  • Crypto Sentiment Dashboards – Analyze and visualize market sentiment.
  • Trading Signal Generators – Build bots or dashboards using our buy/sell indicators.
  • Risk Analysis Engines – Combine our technical metrics with your models.
  • DeFi Portfolio Managers – Use our price predictions and volatility data to manage risk.
  • Educational Crypto Apps – Leverage our AI grades to teach users how to DYOR.

Want to create something we haven’t thought of? Even better.

📆 Timeline & Application

The $200K will be distributed over multiple rounds across 2025, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Apply once and you’ll be considered for current and upcoming rounds.

Deadline: First batch review begins July 15, 2025.

👉 Apply here now

🤝 Why Build with Token Metrics?

At Token Metrics, we believe the future of investing is intelligent, data-driven, and decentralized. That’s why we’re opening up our core infrastructure—so you can build tools that make crypto smarter for everyone.

We’ve spent years perfecting our AI models, data pipelines, and trading signals. Now, we’re putting that power in your hands.

Whether you’re a student hacking on weekends, a startup looking for product-market fit, or a solo dev with a bold vision—we want to help you win.

🚀 Let’s Build the Future

This isn’t just a grant—it’s a launchpad.

With $5K in non-dilutive funding, direct access to cutting-edge crypto data, and a community of top-tier builders, you’ll have everything you need to bring your project to life.

The next breakthrough tool might be yours. All it takes is one application.

🔗 Ready to apply? Click here → https://forms.gle/T3WGexLdGr9nF1hj9

Let’s build the future of crypto—together.

The Token Metrics Team

Choose from Platinum, Gold, and Silver packages
Reach with 25–30% open rates and 0.5–1% CTR
Craft your own custom ad—from banners to tailored copy
Perfect for Crypto Exchanges, SaaS Tools, DeFi, and AI Products