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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
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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. 

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Recent Posts

Crypto Basics

What is Shiba Inu (SHIB) Coin and is it a Good Investment?

Token Metrics Team
6 minutes

Shiba Inu (SHIB) is an Ethereum-based altcoin in the world of cryptocurrencies and has recently gained attention. It is a meme-inspired project based on the "Dogecoin" meme featuring the Shiba Inu dog as its mascot.

SHIB has been launched as a decentralized cryptocurrency built on the Ethereum blockchain. It is a deflationary token designed to be used as a medium of exchange and store of value. SHIB has a total supply of 1,000,000,000,000 tokens and is currently being traded on major exchanges such as Binance, OKEx, and Huobi.

SHIB has seen a huge surge in price and popularity since its launch in May 2021 and has become one of the most talked about cryptocurrencies in the market, with arguably the largest community than Bitcoin.

In this article, we will look at Shiba Inu coin, its features, and its potential for investors.

History Of Shiba Inu

Originally, Shiba Inu was launched as a direct competitor of Dogecoin as a joke. Both Shiba Inu and Dogecoin come under the category of meme coins. The meme coin originated from a 2013 meme featuring the Japanese breed dog of the same name. What began as a community-driven token representing a meme became a multi-billion dollar crypto project.

In 2020, an anonymous person or group called "Ryoshi” created a token named after the animal to continue the series of dog meme cryptocurrencies. After gaining full traction in 2021, it was declared the official rival of Dogecoin, leading Floki Inu, Akita Inu, and Dogelon Mars.

From its creation to up until October 2021, the SHIB coin raised from a low of $0.000000000056 to an all-time high of $0.00008616, rising an incredible 150 million percent.

Also, the generous donation of $1 billion in SHIB was a crucial moment in the coin's history that Ethereum's lead engineer and co-founder Vitalik Buterin granted to help fight the devastating spread of COVID-19 in India, making it the largest donation ever given in history. 

The Limelight Of SHIB

Having the support of Elon Musk is like getting the blue tick certification. Elon and his tweets have an extreme market sentiment influence which can make or break the deal for a cryptocurrency.

Shiba Inu is one such outrageously positive outcome of his tweets. When he first posted the Shiba Inu dog image, it gave the first major push to the SHIB token, powering it up by nearly 300%.

Some of the SHIB supporters believe it to be the "Dogecoin-Killer," too.

Top Features of SHIB

SHIB is a deflationary token designed to be used as a medium of exchange and store of value. It is a privacy-enabled decentralized peer-to-peer blockchain network. 

Three types of tokens affect the SHIB ecosystem:

  1. Shiba Inu (SHIB): This is the predominant currency of this project, which sums up to a total supply of 1 quadrillion tokens when it was launched. It can be exchanged with any of the ERC20 tokens of the Ethereum ecosystem.
  2. Leash (LEASH): It is the second token in the Shiba Inu ecosystem, with a total supply of only 107,646 tokens, and was initially a rebase token tied to the price of Dogecoin. A rebase token has a flexible monetary base in that its supply is set to increase or decrease to adjust the token price without affecting the value of anyone's share of coins. The rebase function was later switched off for good, and the token returned to its ERC20 design. 
  3. Bone (BONE): With a total supply of 250,000,000 tokens, only available on ShibaSwap, BONE is intended to fill up the circulation supply gap between the other two tokens. It is a kind of governance token that will allow the ShibArmy to vote on proposals. The more BONE users possess, the more weight their vote will carry in the decision process of future projects.

What are the Benefits of Investing in SHIB?

A Meme-Inspired Cryptocurrency - The core feature of SHIB is that it is a meme-inspired cryptocurrency launched on the Ethereum blockchain. It is a deflationary token designed to be used as a medium of exchange and store of value.

A Lower Price - SHIB is a low-priced token worth in pennies, which is easier for most people to invest in compared to something like Bitcoin.

A Decentralized Network - SHIB aims to be a decentralized network to keep on running, without any reasons for halting.

An Easy-To-Use Wallet - The SHIB blockchain network has been designed to be easy to use. This makes it a preferred option for most users. Three different wallets are available for use: Android, iOS, and Web.

How to Purchase SHIB Token?

SHIB and LEASH can be bought and sold on ShibaSwap, Uniswap, and a growing number of centralized exchanges (CEXs). On September 16, 2021, Coinbase listed SHIB, joining popular CEXs like Binance, Huobi, and Kucoin in trading the token. 

However, Robinhood, a U.S. financial services platform, has yet to list SHIB due to concerns over its security, as stated by its CEO. In contrast, Robinhood's rival Public.com listed SHIB in October 2021.

Is SHIB Token a Good Investment in 2023?

Shiba Inu's growth largely depends on market sentiment. During extremely fearful times, Shiba Inu underperforms; however, during euphoric times, Shiba Inu has the potential to explode in popularity.

While you analyze Shiba Inu's market position, make it a point to distinguish between market capitalization and price. SHIB's low price can deceive new investors, causing them to inaccurately gauge SHIB's price potential. Market capitalization is usually calculated by multiplying the total circulating supply of coins by the current market price of a single coin, which is useful for determining growth potential. 

At the time of writing, SHIB's price is roughly $0.000012. Therefore, if SHIB were to reach $0.01, investors would experience a return of over 800x. However, more importantly, to reach $0.01, Shiba Inu would need to reach a whopping market value north of $5 trillion. This value is greater than the market value of Apple, Google, and Bitcoin combined. As a result, when making realistic price predictions, it's paramount to consider market capitalization.

SHIB Price and Market Capitalization

As of Feb 1st,2023, Shiba Inu is trading at $0.000012 USD. The current market capitalization of the SHIB token is over $6.70B. This makes SHIB rank 81st in terms of market capitalization among all cryptocurrencies.

The Bottom Line

The Shiba Inu developing team is quite secretive about the coin roadmap. Therefore, it's rather difficult to anticipate what's in the cards for the cryptocurrency in the near future.

The developers might decide to burn other coins to make SHIB more deflationary than it is now and help with a price appreciation. We recently learned that Shiba is preparing to enter the Metaverse and will be burning more SHIB soon, further reducing the total supply.

Crypto Basics

What is Litecoin (LTC) - A Comprehensive Guide

Token Metrics Team
5 minutes

Litecoin (LTC)is a digital currency that has gained traction in the cryptocurrency space. Its primary purpose is to serve as an alternative to Bitcoin, and it has been gaining popularity due to its relative affordability and security.

This article will explain Litecoin, its benefits, uses, mining, and more.

What is Litecoin?

Developed in 2011, Litecoin is a decentralized, peer-to-peer, open-source cryptocurrency, meaning any government or financial institution does not manage it.

Litecoin is based on the same technology as Bitcoin but uses a different algorithm called 'scrypt,' which requires a larger amount of memory and is believed to be more secure. It is also easier to mine than Bitcoin, meaning users can create new Litecoins more quickly and easily.

Unlike traditional currency, Litecoin is not backed by any government or central bank but is managed and held in a digital wallet. Transactions are then recorded on a public ledger, meaning that all transactions are transparent and secure. Litecoin is an ideal digital currency for those looking for an alternative to traditional money, as it provides users with an easy, secure, and affordable way to transfer funds.

It is designed to function like "silver to Bitcoin's gold."

How is Litecoin Different from Bitcoin?

Like Bitcoin, Litecoin is a decentralized, open-source currency that uses blockchain technology to facilitate secure and anonymous digital transfers. However, there are some key differences between the two cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin Litecoin
Bitcoin is designed to be used as a store of value. Litecoin is designed to be used as a payment method.
Bitcoin's supply cap is 21 million. Litecoin can ever be mined is 84 million.
Bitcoin transactions can take 10 minutes. Litecoin transactions are confirmed in 2.5 minutes.
Bitcoin uses the more secure algorithm 'SHA-256' Litecoin uses an open-source algorithm called 'scrypt'
Bitcoin is portable to some extent. Litecoin is more portable than Bitcoin.
Bitcoin might be a little challenging to mine. Litecoin is easier to mine.
You might need a third party to inter-device fund transfer. You can transfer your funds from one device to another without relying on a third party.
Bitcoins are generated at a slower rate. Litecoins are generated at a faster rate.


What is Litecoin Mining?

Mining is a process by which new Litecoins are created and added to the blockchain.

Computers around the world 'mine' new blocks by solving complex algorithms.

This process helps them to earn new crypto coins and add them to the blockchain.

To mine, a computer must use special software and run it on high-end hardware. This can take up a lot of energy.

What is a Litecoin Wallet?

A Litecoin wallet is a physical or digital location where you store your LTC. The easiest way to think of a Litecoin wallet is as a place to store your LTC. Most wallets are online, but you can also download them to your phone or computer.

You can store LTC in a wallet like Coinbase or Exodus, or you can store it in a paper or hardware wallet.

It is advised that you should only store it in a wallet you control, such as your own.

Most wallets allow you to control multiple addresses, which can be useful when accepting payments from multiple people.

Benefits of Using Litecoin

Following are some of the benefits of using Litecoin LTC:

Instant transfers - There's no waiting for a bank or service to transfer funds like with PayPal. You can transfer funds instantly between two addresses.

Low transaction fees - Unlike Bitcoin transactions, which can cost hundreds of dollars, your Litecoin transactions cost less than 2 cents each. 

Mobile compatibility - You can access your Litecoin wallet on all your devices, which is helpful when completing transactions on the go. 

Privacy - Bitcoin and other digital currencies like Litecoin are designed to be private and secure. 

Easier to store - Like Bitcoin, Litecoin can be stored on various devices, including laptops, PCs, and smartphones. 

Escrow service - You can use a service like Escrow.com to hold LTC for you until both parties agree to the terms.

How to Buy Litecoin?

There are several exchanges where you can buy, sell, or trade LTC on, including

  • Coinbase
  • Kraken
  • Gemini
  • Binance
  • KuCoin

What is the Future of Litecoin?

Litecoin has been gaining a lot of popularity recently and is expected to continue growing in use. It can be a very profitable investment due to its relatively low price, which is expected to rise in the future.

Litecoin is easier to mine than Bitcoin, and mining costs less, making mining it more attractive. The block reward is also expected to reduce, further incentivizing mining. Litecoin is also more portable than Bitcoin because it can be stored on various devices, making it easier to use.

Bottom Line

Although Litecoin is still in a race for popularity in the crypto world, it's strictly advisable to do your own research and analysis before getting to business. As with any cryptocurrency, it is highly speculative and subject to high volatility, initially making it a high-risk investment.

Whether it is wise to invest in Litecoin depends on individual circumstances, risk tolerance, and investment goals. Before investing in any cryptocurrency, it is important to carefully consider factors such as the technology behind it, market adoption, regulatory environment, and competition. 

Crypto Basics

What are 3D NFTs and How Do They Work?

Token Metrics Team
6 minutes

3D NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, are the latest trend in digital asset ownership. They are a form of digital asset that is unique, completely non-fungible, and immutable, allowing anyone to securely own and trade digital assets in a brand new way.

3D NFTs are created using 3D modeling tools such as Blender and 3D Studio Max, and stored on the blockchain, making them secure, transparent, and immutable. It’s now possible to own and trade digital assets in a new way. This article will take a closer look at what 3D NFTs are, how they work, and how you can use them to your advantage.

How Do 3D NFTs Work?

In order to own a 3D NFT, you will need a digital wallet that supports the creation and trade of 3D NFTs. These wallets will store your 3D NFTs, making them easy to trade with others and view your ownership rights in the blockchain. If you want to trade your 3D NFTs, you can easily do so by sending your 3D NFTs from your wallet to the wallet of the individual you want to trade with.

How are 3D NFTs Different from Other Digital Assets?

3D NFTs are different than other digital assets in that they are completely non-fungible. This means that each 3D NFT is completely one of a kind, making each one completely different from the next. Because each 3D NFT is one of a kind, each one will have its own value that can fluctuate depending on the demand for that 3D NFT.

Benefits of 3D NFTs

There are many benefits to using 3D NFTs over other digital assets. First and foremost, each 3D NFT is completely one of a kind, making them completely unique and interesting. This makes them much more exciting to collect, trade, and own. Since each 3D NFT is completely one of a kind and can be anything, they are much more interesting to own than other digital assets.

3D NFTs are also secure, transparent, and immutable, meaning that they can’t be hacked, all ownership rights can be seen by anyone, and they can’t be changed or manipulated in any way. Finally, they are also easy to create and trade, meaning anyone can start collecting and trading these digital assets.

How to Create 3D NFTs?

To create a 3D NFT, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Create or obtain a 3D model: You can create a 3D model from scratch using software like Blender or obtain one from an online marketplace.
  2. Convert the 3D model into a GLTF file format: This format is supported by most NFT marketplaces and makes it easier to display and view the 3D model in various environments.
  3. Mint the NFT: Minting is the process of creating a unique, one-of-a-kind token on the blockchain. You will need to use a blockchain platform like Ethereum and a tool like OpenSea to mint your 3D NFT.
  4. List the NFT for sale: Once you have minted your NFT, you can list it on various marketplaces such as SuperRare, Rarible, or OpenSea.

Where to Buy and Sell 3D NFTs?

There are various places where you can purchase and sell 3D NFTs, making them easy to trade with others. You can purchase 3D NFTs from online 3D asset marketplaces, such as Rarible, which allow you to purchase and sell unique 3D NFTs.

You can also use other known marketplaces, such as OpenSea or Magic Eden, to easily purchase and sell 3D NFTs.

How to Store 3D NFTs?

You will need to store your 3D NFTs in a digital wallet that supports 3D NFTs. Several different wallets support 3D NFTs; many even have mobile apps that make it easy to trade and collect your 3D NFTs.

How to Use 3D NFTs for Your Business?

If you want to use 3D NFTs in your business, they can be a great way to engage with your customers.

You can create your own 3D NFTs to give to customers, allowing them to trade and show off their digital assets.

You can also sell unique 3D NFTs, allowing customers to own rare, one-of-a-kind assets.

You can also use 3D NFTs as a loyalty reward, giving your customers a unique digital asset to show their loyalty to your brand.

The possibilities are endless. Reddit is a good example of this.

Types of 3D NFTs

There are various types of 3D NFTs you can collect and trade. You can collect unique video game characters, unique pieces of art, limited-edition sneakers, or even use 3D NFTs for marketing campaigns.

No matter what type of 3D NFT you collect, they will all be completely one of a kind, making them much more interesting to collect and trade than traditional digital assets. Also, 3D NFT projects are numerous and range from digital art to virtual real estate. 

Some of the most popular 3D NFT projects include:

  1. Decentraland: A virtual world where users can buy, sell, and build on virtual real estate using NFTs.
  2. Axie Infinity: A game where players can breed, battle, and trade creatures called Axies using NFTs.
  3. Bored Ape Yacht Club: A collectible game where players can own and trade unique, cartoon-style apes as NFTs.

Legal implications of 3D NFTs

There are very few legal implications to collecting and trading 3D NFTs. While you should always research to ensure you follow all applicable laws, most of these laws focus on trading and selling 3D NFTs rather than collecting and owning them.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, 3D NFTs are a new and exciting development in the world of digital assets, providing a way to prove ownership and authenticity of 3D models and monetize digital art, games, and virtual assets. With the potential for limitless applications, 3D NFTs are poised to revolutionize the way we think about and trade digital assets.

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