# Cardano

<figure><img src="/files/qnc94RjefbkhWMmwifxu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Often called the first “third-generation” blockchain, Cardano was conceived in 2015 by Ethereum Co-Founder Charles Hoskinson and launched in 2017.  After several years of development, smart contracts started to go live in late 2021.&#x20;

Cardano achieves scalability through two main methods:

* Its “Ouroborous” Proof-of-Stake algorithm, which uses the random sampling of validators for consensus
* A two-layer approach, which splits the blockchain into a settlement layer that holds data and a computation layer that supports contract execution

Notable dApps in the Cardano ecosystem include:

&#x20;                                                                    **Cardano Ecosystem Overview**

<figure><img src="/files/dXSCNh4vnBiGCvRioUEx" alt=""><figcaption><p>Source:  <a href="https://coin98.net/cardano-ecosystem">Coin98 Analytics</a></p></figcaption></figure>

Although Cardano officially launched smart contracts in September of 2021, the project now [claims](https://twitter.com/Cardians_/status/1460997588031664130) to host over 200 dapps.

The protocol has its share of supporters and detractors.  Some of the more common praises and criticisms are listed below:

<figure><img src="/files/PLfbGMMN7wH1aE165Gpt" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

While Cardano is very popular among developers (no doubt due to its academic focus), the lack of commercial traction is concerning.  Silicon Valley is rife with stories of a superior technologies losing because they waited too long to go to market, and it’s starting to seem like this could be the case for Cardano as well.&#x20;


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://www.digitalnations.xyz/web3-overview/the-web3-ecosystem/smart-contract-platforms/who-are-the-key-players/cardano.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.