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Ripple Partners with 20 Million-User Network for RLUSD in Stablecoin Race
Web3-based payment platform AEON has signed a strategic partnership with Ripple in a move that will make a splash in the cryptocurrency sector. As part of this collaboration, Ripple's native token XRP and its new stablecoin RLUSD have been integrated into AEON's payment infrastructure. Thus, users will be able to easily make their daily purchases with crypto via Telegram Mini App and popular Web3 wallets such as Bitget and TokenPocket.Ripple partners with AEON for RLUSDAccording to AEON's official announcement, this integration covers more than 20 million physical merchants in Southeast Asia in the first phase. Payments can be made with XRP and RLUSD at world giant brands such as UNIQLO, McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Starbucks. This new system is designed to cover many daily expenses such as restaurants, retail stores, mobile balance loading. The company aims to spread this model to Africa, Latin America and other developing markets in the future.This development is also an important step in the adoption of Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD. RLUSD is a stablecoin developed by Ripple that stands out with its high regulatory compliance and liquidity. Ripple offers this asset as a secure and scalable digital dollar alternative not only for institutional finance solutions but also for individual users, developers and businesses.“Ripple USD (RLUSD) was designed with a trust, liquidity and regulation-focused approach. Ripple’s experience in global regulatory frameworks makes RLUSD a strong choice for institutional players,” AEON’s statement said.AEON’s move with Ripple has had a wide repercussion, especially within the XRP community. WrathofKahneman, one of the community’s important figures, described the AEON-Ripple partnership as “a significant milestone” in a post he shared on the social media platform X. On the other hand, Ripple's stablecoin vision has also been the subject of some criticism in recent months. BitGo CEO Mike Belshe argued that XRP could not fully fulfill its initially targeted role as a "global bridge currency" and suggested that RLUSD could fill this gap.Ripple USD was previously integrated into Ripple's cross-border payment network Ripple Payments. In addition, it was listed on the Kraken exchange and was included in Alchemy Pay's fiat-crypto transition infrastructure in collaboration with Alchemy. Leading cryptocurrency exchanges such as Bitget are also among the platforms accepting RLUSD.As of June 2025, RLUSD's market value reached $428.7 million, ranking it 14th in the stablecoin rankings. In comparison, Circle's USDC stablecoin has a market value of over $55 billion, while major e-commerce platforms such as Shopify have begun accepting USDC worldwide. This chart shows that there is huge competition in the stablecoin market.
ENA Comments and Price Analysis 26 June 2025
Ethena (ENA) Technical AnalysisENA is currently trading at a very critical level while it is moving within the downtrend. The price zone of $0.26–$0.24 is the last line of defense, and it is where buyers outperformed sellers in the past.We can expect a pullback to the zone of $0.20–$0.21 if the price is broken downwards from this area; yet, the strong buy reaction at current levels is likely to increase the probability of an upward reversal from this support area. Falling Trend The first target area above we have is $0.28–$0.30, and above it there is $0.3397, which is very important as it is both a past resistance level and a contact area in the downtrend. Should the price break above these levels, then we can talk about the levels of $0.4044 and $0.44401 respectively. For a stronger rise of the price, we need to see closings above the level of $0.5451.In summary, we can say that ENA is currently trying to hold above a strong support zone, from which a reaction could trigger a rally, but it is of great importance that the price break the downtrend. Otherwise, the downtrend might carry on.These analyses, not offering any kind of investment advice, focus on support and resistance levels considered to offer trading opportunities in the short and medium term according to the market conditions. However, the user is responsible for their own actions and risk management. Moreover, it is highly recommended to use stop loss (SL) during the transactions.
What is Ethereum (ETH)?
Although the foundations of blockchain technology have been in development for decades, it only entered our lives as a functional product with the launch of Bitcoin in 2008. This groundbreaking innovation brought together cryptography, decentralization, peer-to-peer network communication, and transaction processes to usher in a new era in the digital world. However, the next evolution of this revolution was shaped by a vision proposed by Vitalik Buterin in 2013: Ethereum. Available since 2015, Ethereum aimed to go beyond being just a digital currency, offering a platform for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. So, what exactly is Ethereum (ETH), how does it work, and why is it so important? Here's everything you need to know about Ethereum…What is Ethereum? How and Why Did It Emerge?Ethereum (ETH) is fundamentally a decentralized application platform. Unlike Bitcoin, which focuses solely on financial transactions, Ethereum was designed as a programmable blockchain where developers can build various decentralized applications. At the heart of this platform are smart contracts, where the terms of an agreement are directly written into code lines and executed automatically.Vitalik Buterin played a key role in the creation of Ethereum. Born in Russia and later moving to Canada with his family, Buterin had a strong interest in mathematics and programming from a young age. After his father introduced him to Bitcoin in 2011, Buterin became deeply inspired by the concept of a decentralized currency. However, as he became more involved in the Bitcoin community, he realized that Bitcoin had limitations in terms of flexibility and application diversity. So, when did Ethereum launched? Bitcoin's complex scripting language, lack of adaptability, and scalability issues prompted Buterin to seek a new solution.As a result of this search, he published the whitepaper outlining Ethereum's core vision in 2013. This whitepaper envisioned a blockchain that could not only facilitate money transfers but also run decentralized applications with complex logic. Buterin chose the name Ethereum, referencing the hypothetical medium “ether” for the platform. His goal was for the platform to serve as a foundational and transparent environment for applications.The funding required for Ethereum's development was secured through an online crowdfunding campaign (ICO) in 2014. During this event, participants purchased ether (ETH), Ethereum's value token, in exchange for Bitcoin, and the campaign achieved significant success. The Ethereum ICO took place in 2014. Finally, on May 9, 2015, the ninth and final proof-of-concept public test network, called Olympic, was made available to developers. The purpose of this test network was to allow developers to explore how the Ethereum blockchain would look when it was released. Vitalik Buterin promised developers a total of 25,000 ETH in rewards to stress-test the network and provide insights into how the protocol would handle high traffic. Developers were asked to conduct tests across four categories: transaction activity, virtual machine usage, mining capability, and general penalties.After several months of stress testing, the official public mainnet of Ethereum, Frontier, was launched on July 30, 2015. This marked the date when the Ethereum blockchain officially went live and the community began to grow. Before Frontier, Vinay Gupta and Stephen Taul warned developers that this first version was the “bare minimum” and urged them to proceed with caution. Frontier was a platform used via command lines, without a graphical user interface (GUI), and its capabilities were largely limited to those already familiar with Ethereum.Ethereum History: Key MilestonesAs a platform that revolutionized the cryptocurrency ecosystem, Ethereum has undergone many critical phases since its inception. Updates, community decisions, and technical improvements during this process have shaped Ethereum into what it is today. The key milestones that stand out in Ethereum's history are as follows:2015 - Official launch of Ethereum (Frontier): As mentioned above, the Ethereum blockchain was officially launched on July 30, 2015, with the Frontier version. This initial phase supported smart contracts and Proof-of-Work (PoW) mining, enabling users to perform transactions and develop applications on the network. Initially, a reward of 5 ETH per block was awarded.2016 - DAO attack and Ethereum-ETC split: 2016 marked an important and unplanned turning point in Ethereum's history. The Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) had raised 150 million USD worth of ETH through a token sale. However, in June, the DAO was hacked, and 50 million USD worth of ETH was stolen. This incident deeply shook the Ethereum community, leading to the decision to perform a hard fork—an event that split the network into two—to recover the funds and address the security vulnerability. This hard fork sparked debates within the community, with some members continuing to operate on the original chain. The original chain, where the stolen funds were not recovered, is known as Ethereum Classic (ETC), while the majority and core developers continued to work on the forked chain (Ethereum - ETH), where the stolen ETH was returned to its original owners. 2017 - ICO boom and Ethereum's growth: Between 2017 and 2018, there was an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) boom, and Ethereum played a central role in this process. Ethereum's smart contract functionality enabled developers to easily create new tokens and launch protocols, leading to most ICOs taking place on the Ethereum network. The ERC-20 token standard gained widespread adoption during this period, further solidifying Ethereum's importance within the crypto ecosystem. This increased usage led to a rapid rise in the value of Ether, Ethereum's native token.2020: Ethereum 2.0 and the transition to Proof of Stake: A significant step toward Ethereum's future was the announcement of the Ethereum 2.0 (also known as Serenity) roadmap. This involved a series of upgrades aimed at transitioning Ethereum's consensus mechanism from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS), which is more scalable, secure, and energy-efficient. This transition was planned in phases, with the first major step taken in 2020 with the launch of the Beacon Chain. The Beacon Chain introduced PoS consensus but initially operated in parallel with the existing PoW chain.2022 - Full transition to Proof of Stake with The Merge: The latest answer to the question “How does Ethereum work?” came with the completion of The Merge. Ethereum's full transition to PoS was completed with the historic event known as The Merge, which took place on September 15, 2022. This merger signified the integration of the original Ethereum Mainnet (transaction layer) with the Beacon Chain (consensus layer), marking the end of PoW mining. The network transitioned to Proof of Stake, an energy-efficient consensus mechanism where validators are selected based on the amount of cryptocurrency they hold. The Ethereum Merge reduced energy consumption by approximately 99.95% and laid the groundwork for future scalability upgrades. The term ‘Eth2’ has been discontinued, and the network now operates as a single Ethereum chain. Ethereum.org With all these developments, Ethereum made its mark on the blockchain space. In particular, by transitioning from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS), it aimed to address issues such as energy efficiency, scalability, accessibility, decentralization, and long-term sustainability. While PoW's high energy consumption and mining requirements led to environmental and economic issues, PoS significantly reduced energy usage. Sharp decline in electricity consumption on the Ethereum network after the merge. Source: An Event Study of the Ethereum Transition to Proof-of-Stake. 2023, ResearchGate In addition, PoS facilitated Ethereum's scalability by offering faster and more efficient transaction processing capacity. While PoW's expensive hardware requirements posed a barrier for small investors, PoS allows everyone to participate in the network through staking. This transition strengthened decentralization by encouraging broader participation and increased Ethereum's long-term competitiveness for the future.While discussing such significant milestones, it is impossible to overlook Ethereum's price movements. The cryptocurrency giant has experienced a highly volatile 10-year market journey. Ethereum's price has seen significant fluctuations since its launch in 2015. Initially, it traded below $1 in 2015. In 2017, it surpassed $100 and reached approximately $774 by the end of the year. In November 2021, it reached an all-time high of approximately $4,891. However, as of April 2025, the price had dropped to approximately $1,795. Nevertheless, market data shows that Ethereum has seen an increase of approximately 179,400% from 2015 to 2025. As can be seen in the 10-year price chart below, the largest price jumps occurred in 2017 and 2021. Why is Ethereum Important?So, why is Ethereum important in the field of cryptocurrency and blockchain? Ethereum is not just a cryptocurrency, but has also become an ecosystem that forms the basis for innovative technologies such as decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and smart contracts.It has brought major innovations with smart contracts. Ethereum's greatest significance lies in popularizing the concept of smart contracts and providing developers with the opportunity to build various applications using this technology. Unlike traditional contracts, smart contracts are agreements that are automatically executed when predefined conditions are met, without the need for any intermediaries. This enables transactions to occur in a more transparent, secure, and efficient manner and opens up new use cases across various industries. Thanks to Ethereum's Turing-complete programming language, developers can create smart contracts and applications of nearly unlimited complexity.It has enabled the emergence of decentralized finance (DeFi) and the NFT ecosystem. Ethereum has played a vital role in the birth and growth of the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. DeFi refers to financial services that operate on the blockchain without the need for traditional financial intermediaries (such as banks). Ethereum's smart contract capabilities have enabled the development of various DeFi protocols, including decentralized exchanges (DEXs), lending and borrowing platforms, yield farming, and stablecoins.Similarly, the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) ecosystem has also developed largely on Ethereum. NFTs are indivisible tokens that represent ownership of unique digital or physical assets such as artworks, music, virtual land, and collectibles. Ethereum's ERC-721 and ERC-1155 token standards are widely used for creating and trading NFTs. NFTs have opened up new opportunities in the creative economy and redefined the concept of digital ownership.It has become an open-source blockchain for developers. As an open-source project, Ethereum is accessible and transparent to developers worldwide. This enables a broad developer community to contribute to the platform, develop new tools, and create applications. Ethereum's Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) ensures that smart contracts are executed securely and consistently. Specially developed programming languages like Solidity make it easier for developers to create powerful and complex applications on Ethereum.It has become a cornerstone of Web3. In addition to being an open-source blockchain for NFTs, DeFi, smart contracts, and developers, Ethereum is recognized as one of the cornerstones of the decentralized internet vision known as Web3. Web3 aims for an internet model where users have greater control over their data and digital identities, and the influence of central authorities is reduced. Ethereum's decentralized structure, smart contract capabilities, and extensive developer ecosystem provide an ideal foundation for the development and widespread adoption of Web3 applications. Additionally, Layer 2 scaling solutions and projects like Superchain enhance Ethereum's transaction capacity, enabling Web3 applications to reach broader audiences.Who is the Founder of Ethereum?So, who is Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum? Vitalik Buterin is the co-founder of Ethereum and one of the most influential figures in the cryptocurrency world. Born on January 31, 1994, in Russia, Buterin moved to Canada with his family at the age of six. Demonstrating exceptional talent in mathematics and programming from a young age, Buterin was introduced to Bitcoin at the age of 17 through his father. Impressed by Bitcoin's decentralized structure, Buterin began conducting in-depth research in this field and became one of the co-founders of Bitcoin Magazine, one of the first cryptocurrency publications, in 2011. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin at the EthCC conference (2024) Despite recognizing Bitcoin's potential, Buterin also saw its limitations and envisioned a more flexible and general-purpose blockchain platform. As a result of this vision, he published the white paper that laid the foundation for Ethereum in 2013. Buterin is known not only for his technical contributions but also for his advocacy of decentralization, open-source development, and the use of blockchain technology for social good. Additionally, he has made significant donations to various charitable causes, such as COVID-19 relief and scientific research. He even established a fund called Kanro. Kanro, a biotechnology fund founded by Buterin in 2023, serves as one of the many ways through which the Ethereum co-founder makes donations.Charity OrganizationYearCryptocurrencyAmountMachine Intelligence Research Institute2017ETH$763,970SENS Research Foundation2018ETH$2.4 millionSENS Research Foundation2020ETH$50,000India Crypto Covid Relief Fund2021SHIB$1.14 billionMethuselah Foundation2021Dogelon Mars$336 millionUkraine Relief Fund2022ETH$2.5 millionUnchain Fund2022ETH$2.5 millionAnimal Welfare Fund2024ETH$532,398Zuitzerland2025ETH$500,000Khao Kheow Open Zoo2024USDC$290,000Source: CCNIn addition to Vitalik Buterin, the team that contributed to the development of Ethereum is also of interest. Initially, names such as Anthony Di Iorio, Charles Hoskinson, Mihai Alisie, and Amir Chetrit were involved in the development of Ethereum. Later, Joseph Lubin, Gavin Wood, and Jeffrey Wilcke also joined the founding team. Gavin Wood made a significant contribution by writing the Ethereum Yellow Paper, which outlined the features of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The development of Ethereum was carried out by Ethereum Switzerland GmbH (EthSuisse), based in Switzerland, and later by the non-profit Ethereum Foundation (Stiftung Ethereum).Vitalik Buterin's views on blockchain and decentralized ecosystems are also noteworthy. Indeed, Vitalik Buterin has designed Ethereum from the outset not merely as a cryptocurrency but as a global infrastructure for decentralized applications and smart contracts. Buterin's vision is to create a world where individuals have greater control over their digital assets and personal data, and where decentralized applications offer greater transparency and security.Buterin believes that Ethereum's success depends on the developer community's ability to collaborate on innovative projects. In his view, decentralization is of vital importance for the network's security, transparency, and resilience. He emphasizes that to preserve Ethereum's decentralized structure, elements such as committees or central intermediaries must be avoided.While acknowledging that Ethereum must continue to evolve in the future, he stresses that this must be done without compromising the principle of decentralization. He states that his ultimate goal is to make Ethereum the foundational layer of a decentralized internet (Web3) and to provide individuals with greater freedom and control in the digital world.Buterin believes that decentralization is not just a technological feature but also has social and political dimensions. In his view, Ethereum is not merely software but a structure aimed at creating an ecosystem where different actors can collaborate more efficiently and resist centralization pressures.In conclusion, Ethereum was born out of Vitalik Buterin's vision and revolutionized the blockchain world. It has been a pioneer in areas such as smart contracts, DeFi, and NFTs, and continues to evolve with its open-source structure. With the contributions of its community and its innovative approach, Ethereum appears poised to remain at the center of the blockchain ecosystem in the future.For more content on Ethereum and blockchain technology, follow the JR Kripto Guide series.
What is Harmony (ONE)?
Today, we will take a closer look at Harmony (ONE), one of the exciting players in the blockchain world, and its native token, ONE. If you believe that blockchain technology is not limited to Bitcoin and Ethereum, or if you are tired of high costs and low speeds, the answer to the question “What is Harmony?” may be just what you need. Harmony is a fast and open blockchain platform designed for creating and using decentralized applications (DApps). Its primary goal is to provide innovative solutions to the scalability issues faced by existing blockchains. Harmony focuses on technologies like random state sharding to achieve this objective.Harmony's promise is quite ambitious: to offer high transaction volume while also providing low latency and low fees. These features aim to position the platform as a key foundation for the future of decentralized, trustless economies. The answer to the question of how Harmony network works is shaped around these core objectives. Let's take a closer look at this sharding-focused network together...Harmony's Definition and OriginHarmony (ONE) stands out as a fast, cost-effective, and independently operating Layer-1 blockchain network. Layer-1 means that Harmony operates on its own chain and executes transactions without relying on another network. This structure is specifically designed to facilitate the development of decentralized applications (DApps). Founded by Stephen Tse in 2018, the project launched its mainnet in 2019 and introduced its native token, ONE, to the market. Harmony’s primary goal is to strike a balance between the classic blockchain dilemma of “scalability versus decentralization.” That’s why it defines itself as a platform that offers “scalable decentralization.”To achieve this balance, Harmony employs several innovative technologies. One of the most notable is its sharding system, which divides the network into shards. What is sharding? This system allows transactions to be processed in parallel across different shards, thereby increasing transaction speed and making the network more efficient. What sets Harmony apart is that it doesn't limit this sharding system to just data; it also applies it to the network's consensus and state layers, thereby elevating security to the highest level. Additionally, this structure allows even low-spec devices to join the network. Harmony's shard structure. Source: Hive In the consensus section, a system called Effective Proof-of-Stake (EPoS) comes into play. This system can be described as a slightly more advanced version of the classic stake model. Its purpose is to ensure that more validators participate in the network while maintaining decentralization. EPoS is supported by security measures such as token delegation, reward accumulation, penalizing validators who sign twice, and excluding passive validators. As the amount of ONE staked increases, the security of the network also increases.Finally, to increase the speed of the network, Harmony utilizes a special consensus protocol called Fast BFT and technologies such as BLS signatures. These systems enable more than 250 validators to reach consensus in less than two seconds. At the same time, communication load is reduced through batch signing. Thanks to all these features, Harmony offers a fast, secure, and accessible experience for both developers and users.Harmony's compatibility with Ethereum is also a critical feature. Harmony ONE is 100% compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Why is this important? This compatibility allows developers to easily migrate existing Ethereum DApps or new DApps to the Harmony network or develop them here. Harmony's 2-second transaction finality time and significantly lower transaction fees compared to Ethereum make it an attractive alternative for existing Ethereum DApps. This is one of the features that sets Harmony apart among Ethereum-compatible layer 1 blockchains.Harmony's History: Key MilestonesHarmony's journey began in 2018 with Stephen Tse and a group of experienced engineers. The team consisted of individuals who had previously worked at leading technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple. The project's primary goal was to provide a permanent solution to the scalability and decentralization issues in the blockchain world. Throughout its establishment and beyond, Harmony has achieved many important milestones. It also suffered a major cyberattack. Here are a few notable historical events:2018 - Establishment and testnet phase: The project was launched as a startup in 2018. During this period, the technical infrastructure was developed, and trials were conducted on test networks.2019 - Mainnet launch and ONE token's market debut: Harmony gained attention by hosting an Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) on Binance Launchpad in May 2019. During this IEO, over 2.8 billion ONE tokens were sold to investors. In June 2019, Harmony's mainnet was officially launched. With the mainnet going live, ONE tokens previously issued under the ERC-20 and BEP-2 standards were converted to native ONE tokens at a 1:1 ratio.2021 - Ethereum bridge and NFT project integration: In 2021, Harmony introduced Horizon, a cross-chain bridge fully compatible with Ethereum. This bridge enabled users to transfer ERC-20, ERC-721, and ERC-1155 tokens from Ethereum to the Harmony network and vice versa. As a result, assets on Ethereum could benefit from Harmony's low transaction fees and fast transaction confirmation times. Overall, 2021 was a period during which many NFT projects were launched on the Harmony network. Notable projects include daVinci Marketplace, Harmoonies, OneCoin NFT, Harmony Whales, and Harmony One Punks. In September 2021, Harmony announced a $300 million fund aimed at expanding its ecosystem and incentivizing developers. Harmony-Ethereum bridge 2022 - Horizon Bridge attack and security measures: Looking back at Harmony's history, not everything has been smooth sailing. On June 24, 2022, Harmony's “Horizon Bridge” was hacked. In the attack, which was later found to be carried out by the North Korean hacking group Lazarus, the thieves stole various crypto assets worth a total of $99.6 million. The main reason for the attack was the weak security of the Horizon Bridge's 2-of-5 multisig structure. Following this incident, Harmony transitioned the Horizon Bridge on the Ethereum side to a more secure 4-of-5 multisig structure. This new structure requires approval from at least four out of five signers to execute transactions, thereby ensuring the system remains resilient even if private keys are compromised. Coins stolen in the Harmony Bridge attack. Source: PeckShield (2022) Why is Harmony Valuable?Harmony has many valuable features that make it stand out in the blockchain world. These features make the platform attractive to both users and developers.Harmony and the “Shard” StructureHarmony's core value comes from its ability to offer parallel processing power through a four-shard structure. Harmony divides the blockchain into shards, enabling transactions to be processed in parallel across these shards. The Harmony mainnet is currently four-sharded. This parallel processing capability allows the network to achieve a much higher transaction volume, meaning it can process thousands of transactions per second. This helps prevent network congestion, especially during periods of high usage. Harmony aims to achieve full scalability by using this sharding technology not only for transaction verification and network communication but also for the blockchain's state. This deep sharding technique enhances the network's efficiency and scalability.Low transaction feesAnother key advantage of Harmony is its low transaction fees and high speed. On the Harmony mainnet, blocks are produced every 2 seconds. Cross-shard transactions are finalized in 2 block times. This 2-second block time enables near-instant transaction finality. Compared to networks like Ethereum, Harmony's transaction fees are significantly lower. Low-cost and fast transactions make DApps in areas such as DeFi (Decentralized Finance), NFTs, and gaming more user-friendly. This makes Harmony an ideal platform for low-cost DeFi networks and other DApp categories.The ONE token is at the heart of the networkIn addition to the features of the Harmony network, the ONE token, the platform's native cryptocurrency, is at the heart of Harmony and serves various important functions. If you're wondering what the ONE coin is and what ONE token is used for, here are the answers:Paying transaction fees: The ONE token is used for all transactions on the network. Users must specify a certain amount of ONE as a transaction fee for transactions to be successfully processed and included in the blockchain. All coins collected as transaction fees are burned, which helps reduce inflation to zero as network usage increases.Securing the network through staking: Harmony is a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain. Therefore, the security of the network is ensured through staked tokens. The ONE token is the native token accepted for staking. Potential node operators must stake a certain amount of ONE tokens to be eligible for selection as validators. ONE token holders can also participate in the staking process by delegating their ONE tokens to existing validators. As more ONE tokens are staked, the network becomes more secure. Selected validators who successfully sign blocks receive block rewards in ONE tokens as compensation for their services. Harmony uses a new PoS mechanism called Effective Proof-of-Stake (EPoS) for its staking mechanism. This mechanism aims to reduce centralization and distribute rewards fairly among thousands of validators. EPoS supports delegation and reward compounding. It also penalizes double-signing validators (slashing) and selected but unused nodes. The answer to how the Harmony network works lies here.Participation in governance: ONE token holders have the right to participate in the governance of the network. This allows token holders to have a say in decisions regarding the future of the platform.ONE token economyHarmony's token economy (Harmony tokenomics) plays a very important role in the sustainability and operation of the network. The native token, ONE, is the fundamental building block of the system, akin to its currency. ONE has 18 decimal places, with its smallest unit called Atto (similar to Ethereum's Wei), equivalent to 0.000000000000000001 ONE. The next level up, Nano, is worth 0.000000001 ONE—similar to Gwei in Ethereum. Harmony has updated its economic model over time. In the new system, the total reward distributed across the network (new token issuance + transaction fees) is kept constant, regardless of block time or staking rate on the network. ONE Token distribution plan. Source: ICODrops Initially, the total ONE supply was set at 12.6 billion. As of February 2021, the circulating supply was approximately 9.49 billion. Looking at the distribution of tokens: 22.4% was allocated to the initial sale, 12.5% to the additional Launchpad sale, and 16.9% to the founding team and developers. Additionally, 26.4% is allocated for protocol development, and 21.8% is set aside for ecosystem growth.The annual ONE token issuance is capped at 441 million — equivalent to approximately 3% annual inflation. This fixed and predictable structure aims to provide validators with a stable revenue model. Although the model is inflationary, all transaction fees on the network are burned. Thus, if enough transactions occur on the network, the amount of tokens burned can offset the issuance, and net inflation can approach zero over time. This creates a dynamic that supports token value in the long term.Harmony's integration with Ethereum and other networksAnother major strength of Harmony is its Ethereum compatibility and inclusion in the list of EVM-supported networks. Harmony ONE is a blockchain that is 100% compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This means developers can easily deploy smart contracts written in Ethereum-based languages like Solidity on Harmony. Migrating existing Ethereum DApps to the Harmony network or developing new DApps is quite simple. Popular Ethereum libraries like Web3.js can be used to send transactions on Harmony.Harmony was also designed for interoperability with other blockchains. Asset transfers between Harmony and networks such as Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain can be made through bridges such as Horizon. These cross-chain capabilities contribute to the integration of blockchain ecosystems.Who is the Founder of Harmony?The mastermind behind many cryptocurrency projects is often a topic of curiosity, especially among those considering investing in the project. So, who is the founder of Harmony? The person who laid the foundations for Harmony is Stephen Tse. He serves as the project's founder and CEO. In response to the question, “Who is Stephen Tse?”, it is noted that Stephen Tse previously worked as an engineer at leading technology companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft. This background has given Tse extensive experience in complex distributed systems and technology development, such as blockchain. Tse is also active in entrepreneurship, having founded the mobile search startup Spotsetter, which was acquired by Apple in 2014. Additionally, he has worked on a project called Voice AI in the field of voice artificial intelligence. Tse's interest in protocols dates back to his high school years; he reverse-engineered the ICQ and X11 protocols and has been writing code in the OCaml language for over 15 years. Stephen Tse at Shanghai Blockchain Week Harmony's founding team includes Stephen Tse and Nick White. Nick White is one of the co-founders of the project and an active member of the Harmony community. Nick White holds a bachelor's and master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University and has conducted research on artificial intelligence and applied mathematics at Stanford. Outside of his academic career, he served as an AI expert at Zeroth.AI, an AI accelerator based in Hong Kong, and is said to have mentored more than 20 teams from five continents. He is also a yoga instructor and an avid surfer.In general, the Harmony team consists of engineers who have gained experience at leading technology companies in Silicon Valley. This team, which has worked at companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft, developed Harmony's core technologies such as sharding and consensus mechanisms.For example, co-founder Rongjian Lan worked as a search infrastructure engineer at Google Play Store. Minh Doan was involved in Google Assistant and Play projects. Chief engineer Leo Chen worked on high-performance storage virtualization at Amazon Web Services and developed the first generation of Kindle Fire.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)In conclusion, Harmony (ONE) is an ambitious project that aims to overcome the current scalability and interoperability challenges of blockchain technology. When we ask what Harmony is, we find a high-speed, low-cost, Ethereum-compatible layer 1 and sharded blockchain network. Founded by engineers with Silicon Valley experience, such as Stephen Tse, Harmony uses innovative technologies like blockchain sharding and Effective Proof-of-Stake (EPoS) to offer high transaction volume and speed through parallel transaction chain capability. Still, you may have some frequently asked questions like the following:What is the Harmony network and how does it work? Harmony is a Layer-1 blockchain network designed to provide high-speed, low-cost transactions. Essentially, it uses sharding technology to divide the network horizontally and process transactions in parallel. This increases transaction speed and makes the network scalable. Harmony also operates using a special consensus mechanism called “Effective Proof of Stake” (EPoS).What is the ONE coin used for? ONE is the native token of the Harmony network. Among the features of Harmony coin, its use in paying transaction fees on the network stands out. Additionally, the coin is used to reward validators and participate in governance decisions. Users can also stake their ONE tokens to contribute to network security and earn passive income.What does sharding technology mean? Sharding is a method of dividing a blockchain network into small pieces (shards). This method allows each shard to process its own transactions and data in parallel. As a result, the network's transaction capacity increases significantly. Harmony is one of the first Layer-1 projects to implement this technology.How does Harmony staking work? To stake on Harmony, you need to transfer your ONE tokens to a supported wallet and then select a validator to start the staking process. The staking dashboard interface on Harmony's official website is easy to use and user-friendly. You will receive regular rewards in exchange for your staked tokens.Who is the founder and what is their background? The founder of Harmony is Stephen Tse. Tse previously worked as an engineer at tech giants such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft, and also sold his startup Spotsetter to Apple. He is a software developer specializing in protocol security and distributed systems. Another co-founder of Harmony is Nick White, a Stanford graduate. White has academic and industry experience in artificial intelligence and engineering.To learn more about the role of the Harmony network and the ONE token in the Web3 infrastructure, continue following our JR Kripto Guide series.
What is Ondo Finance (ONDO)?
The bridges between the cryptocurrency world and traditional finance are getting stronger every day. One of the projects that draws attention at this intersection is Ondo Finance. Aiming to combine the solid structure and institutional-level products of traditional finance with the transparency and accessibility offered by blockchain technology, Ondo Finance undertakes a pioneering mission in this field.If you are one of those who say, “Let my crypto investments have more secure and tangible foundations,” the answer to the question of what Ondo is may appeal to you.Definition and Origin of Ondo FinanceIn its most basic form, Ondo Finance is a platform operating in the field of tokenization of real-world assets. In other words, it converts traditional financial assets such as US Treasury bonds into digital tokens and enables them to be traded on the blockchain. Such products, which are normally accessible only to large financial institutions, traded in certain time zones and involve complex processes, are now accessible from everyone's wallet, 24/7. This transformative idea lies at the heart of the question of what Ondo Finance is: Making corporate financial products accessible to everyone.Ondo’s main purpose is to provide investors in the crypto ecosystem with access to fixed-income products in the closed world of traditional finance. In response to the high volatility inherent in crypto assets, it offers users a safer, more transparent, and predictable investment option by moving the returns of stable instruments such as US Treasury bonds to the blockchain.The platform was founded in 2021 by Nathan Allman. Allman stands out as an entrepreneur with a vision to bring together the world of traditional finance and blockchain. Ondo’s team is full of experienced names from institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Facebook, and Microsoft; they bring together both the discipline of traditional banking and the innovative aspects of DeFi. This multifaceted team structure allows the platform to establish a healthy balance between stability and innovation.The ONDO token, which is at the center of the ecosystem, is not just a cryptocurrency; it is also a governance tool. The answer to those who ask what does Ondo token do is clear: ONDO gives the user a say in shaping the future of the platform, while also playing an active role in the services and incentive mechanisms within the ecosystem.Ondo Finance’s mission is to make financial services more accessible, transparent, and efficient by leveraging the power of blockchain technology. This goal aims to overcome the limitations of traditional finance, such as slow, expensive, and limited transaction hours, while also addressing DeFi’s challenges of connecting to the real economy and heavy reliance on stablecoins.Ondo Finance is divided into two main structures: asset management and technology. The asset management arm designs and oversees tokenized products, while the technology arm is responsible for developing the decentralized protocols that support these products. This dual-structure system allows Ondo to both mimic traditional financial instruments and benefit from the advantages provided by blockchain.At this point, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of the concept of real-world asset tokenization. Tokenizing assets such as real estate, commodities, or securities on the blockchain makes these assets more liquid, transparent, and accessible. It reduces transaction costs by eliminating intermediaries and offers a more direct value transfer opportunity. Ondo’s focus is particularly on the US Treasury bond market, which exceeds $31.5 trillion. This huge market creates a huge growth area for the platform.Today, high interest rates make short-term Treasury bonds quite attractive in terms of investment. With its blockchain-based structure, Ondo democratizes access to these assets and offers users a stable passive income opportunity.In short, Ondo Finance is one of the most innovative platforms in this field, bringing the solid assets of traditional finance to the blockchain and offering fixed-income DeFi options to both individual and institutional investors.Ondo Finance History: Major MilestonesOndo Finance set out in 2021 with the vision of bringing together traditional finance and decentralized finance. In its early stages, the focus was on protocol development and product launches. In September 2021, an important partnership was announced with Yield Guild Games (YGG), a pioneering project in the NFT and gaming space. Within the scope of this partnership, the vaults offered by Ondo provided one-sided, risk-controlled investment opportunities in liquidity pools on decentralized exchanges. For example, it became possible to earn returns by making one-sided YGG investments in the ETH/YGG Sushiswap pool. At the same time, other users could also earn fixed ETH returns from these liquidity pools, while the risk of temporary losses was minimized. These vaults aimed to offer ETH returns with a fixed APY of 25% and YGG returns with a variable APY of up to 615% (excluding temporary losses). The three-day open subscription window for participants, which began on October 1, marked Ondo’s first serious entry into the market with controlled-yield vaults. The vaults in question were introduced as Ondo’s Fixed Income Vaults product. This offered investors fixed and variable yield positions, allowing them to participate in decentralized exchange (Uniswap, Sushiswap) liquidity pools in a more controlled manner. These vaults used the “tranche” model, which divided investments into two according to risk level, bringing together those who wanted fixed returns and those looking for higher returns. However, with the decline in DeFi returns in 2022, Ondo discontinued this product and shifted its focus to tokenized financial assets and institutional solutions.2022 was a turning point for Ondo Finance. The token sale held on CoinList attracted great attention and raised $10 million from more than 18,000 participants. This showed that Ondo had gained community support at an early stage.During the same period, Ondo’s steps towards integration with the giants of the traditional finance world accelerated in line with its institutional investment DeFi vision. The OUSG fund, based on the ETF managed by BlackRock, was one of the most concrete examples of this collaboration. In addition, partnerships were established with institutions that manage over $1 trillion in assets worldwide, such as Franklin Templeton and Wellington Management.The ONDO token was officially launched at the beginning of 2024. During this period, the ONDO token began trading on platforms such as RocketX Exchange as part of the listing process on major exchanges. The token, which was previously sold on CoinList in 2022, thus became widely accessible.Over time, Ondo has become a leader among RWA DeFi projects. Yield-generating stablecoin yield systems (such as USDY) and tokenized treasury products (such as OUSG) have brought the platform to the center of the RWA market.Collaborations with traditional financial institutions such as Coinbase, BNY Mellon, Citi, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, State Street and StoneX also supported Ondo's "institutional-grade finance" discourse. Some of the strategic steps Ondo has taken recently are as follows:Integration with Ripple and XRP Ledger in January 2025 made OUSG available to institutional users via this network.In February 2025, Ondo became the first Ondo RWA provider to join Mastercard’s Multi-Token Network (MTN). This collaboration enabled Mastercard’s banking partners to evaluate their idle cash via OUSG.Integrations with blockchain projects such as Injective, Solana, and Cosmos (Noble) strengthened Ondo’s multi-chain compatibility.The partnership with Pendle Finance enabled Ondo products such as USDY to be used in yield protocols and increased the compounding potential of RWA tokens within DeFi.All these developments not only provide an answer to the question of when Ondo coin was released, but also reveal why it has become such an important actor in the RWA field. With the transfer of traditional financial products to the on-chain, support with legal compliance and a wide integration network, Ondo builds a solid bridge between the real world and the blockchain. Among the projects operating in the RWA field, Ondo Finance stands out with its regulation-friendly structure, institutional-focused products and strong partnership network. Projects such as Maple Finance, Goldfinch, TrueFi, Clearpool and Centrifuge are also working in the field of institutional debt and asset tokenization. However, Ondo's relationships with traditional giants such as BlackRock, Mastercard and Ripple and the fact that its products are compliant with US securities laws put it at a different and more advanced point than many of its competitors.Why Is Ondo Finance Valuable?Ondo Finance stands out with its structure that combines the traditional and decentralized finance worlds. This bridge offers a unique value proposition to both individual investors and institutional players. Here are the key elements that make the Ondo protocol so valuable:Offers access to tokenized fixed income productsOne of Ondo’s strongest features is that it makes high-quality financial products, such as US Treasury bonds, normally only accessible to institutional investors, available to everyone via the blockchain. Products like USDY offer a yield-generating stablecoin alternative collateralized by Treasury bonds and bank deposits. Especially in the current high-interest environment, these products can yield 5% or more. ONDO usage scenarios. Source: Ondo Finance It is useful to open a parenthesis at this point. In order to access Ondo’s tokenized fixed income products such as USDY and OUSG, users must meet certain criteria. For example, OUSG can only be purchased by users defined as “qualified investors” under US law. USDY, on the other hand, can be offered to individual investors in some countries. Both products can be obtained through Ondo’s web platform after completing the KYC (Identity Verification) processes. Below, you can see the differences between USDY and OUSG:FeatureUSDYOUSGTarget AudienceRetail and institutional investors (outside the U.S.)Accredited investors onlyYield MechanismRebasing or yield-accrualYield-accrualAnnual Yield (APY)Approximately 4.35%Approximately 4.1%Minimum Investment500 USDC100,000 USDCNetworksEthereum, Solana, InjectiveEthereum, Solana, PolygonUse CasesStablecoin alternative, yield generationDeFi collateral, yield generationPioneers of the RWA marketRWA DeFi projects have become one of the most powerful narratives in the crypto world recently. The tokenization of assets and their transfer to the chain provides investors with a new generation of ease of access, while also attracting large financial institutions. It is also emphasized in the market that this market has a potential of trillions of dollars. It is even stated that central banks and sovereign funds are interested in this area.Ondo is positioned at the center of this narrative with its leadership in the RWA field. Its partnerships with giants such as BlackRock and Mastercard also make the project a reliable financial infrastructure player.ONDO token is active in governance and incentive mechanismsONDO token is an important component that shows that the platform is not just an investment vehicle. This token, which acts as the Ondo governance token, gives its holders the authority to make decisions about the future of the protocol through the Ondo DAO. This increases community participation and strengthens the decentralization of the ecosystem.In addition, ONDO token has various usage areas within the ecosystem. For example, passive income can be generated through staking mechanisms or used as a means of payment for on-platform services. The fixed supply of the token (10 billion) and its strategic distribution were designed with long-term sustainability in mind. This structure gives a clue to Ondo tokenomics (token economy). In the meantime, we cannot fail to mention the ONDO price. As of May 2025, the Ondo (ONDO) token is trading at $ 0.8. With a market value of approximately $ 2.76 billion, ONDO ranks 34th in this ranking. It also draws attention with its circulating supply of 3.15 billion units. The coin, which reached a peak of $ 2.14 in December 2024, has experienced a correction of over 59% since then. However, the growth potential in areas such as real-world asset tokenization (RWA) and institutional DeFi solutions may be giving positive signals for the future of Ondo. ONDO price since launch Facilitating the entry of institutional capital into the DeFi worldAlthough traditional financial institutions are closely following the opportunities offered by DeFi, they are cautious about this area due to reasons such as security, regulation and lack of infrastructure. Ondo fills this gap. It acts as a bridge in the institutional investment DeFi space with the transparency, regulation-friendly infrastructure and institutional-level technical competence it provides.Audited and regulation-friendly structureOne of the key elements behind Ondo's success is its transparency and audit-oriented approach. The platform aims to take the best practices of traditional finance and integrate them into DeFi. It offers a structure shaped by KYC (identity verification) / AML (anti-money laundering law compliance) processes, daily independent audits for products such as USDY and legal consultancy. In order to safely use innovative products such as stablecoin yield systems, the Ondo platform works with a permissioned access framework. This meets the requirement that tokenized treasury products in particular be classified as securities. Thus, the platform gains advantages in terms of long-term stability and legal durability.Infrastructure developmentOndo’s vision is not limited to just issuing tokens. It also aims to build infrastructures where these assets can be transferred and used securely and efficiently. For example:Ondo Chain: A purpose-built Layer-1 blockchainOndo Bridge: A cross-chain transfer solutionFlux Finance: A protocol that enables tokenized assets to be used in DeFiThese infrastructures enable tokenized assets to operate in a manner compatible with institutional finance. With all these components, Nathan Allman and his team have made Ondo not just a product platform, but also an institutional-level infrastructure provider in the DeFi world.Who is the Founder of Ondo Finance?Nathan Allman is the founder and CEO of Ondo Finance. Allman began his career in the Digital Assets team at Goldman Sachs, where he worked on cryptocurrency markets. He also gained experience in private credit investments at Prospect Capital Management. Allman, who completed his education at Brown University, combined his traditional finance knowledge with blockchain technology to found Ondo Finance. Ondo founder and executives. Source: Ondo Finance The company aims to bring financial markets onto blockchain by offering tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) and institutional-grade DeFi solutions. Under Allman’s leadership, Ondo Finance has strengthened its position in the industry by establishing partnerships with major financial institutions such as BlackRock and Mastercard. However, Ondo is not just the product of one person; the team behind Ondo is as remarkable as its founder. The team includes names from major technology and blockchain companies such as Facebook, Microsoft, Symbiont, and BadgerDAO; private equity funds, and hedge funds.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Up to this point in the article, we have covered the structure, history, technology and why Ondo Finance is valuable in detail. Now, here is the frequently asked questions section, where we clearly answer the technical and fundamental issues that readers are most curious about:What is ONDO and how does it work?: ONDO is a DeFi protocol that tokenizes traditional financial assets on the blockchain and makes them accessible to everyone.What is the ONDO token for?: The ONDO token is used in incentive mechanisms such as participation in the governance process and staking.What is real world asset (RWA)?: RWA is the representation of physical or traditional financial assets on the blockchain by converting them into digital tokens.What makes Ondo different from other DeFi projects?: Ondo offers fixed returns to both individual and institutional investors by bringing corporate finance products to the blockchain in a regulatory-compliant manner.How does ONDO staking and governance work?: Users can earn passive income by staking their ONDO tokens, and have a say in the development of the protocol by voting.Is Ondo secure and regulated?: Yes, Ondo is open to independent audits, KYC/AML compliant, and regulatory-friendly; this creates a foundation that supports institutional adoption for the future of Ondo. In other words, Ondo Finance structures its products in accordance with US securities laws and provides access to investors only within the framework of regulation. However, the changing regulatory environment on a global scale may create uncertainties for DeFi and tokenization projects. In particular, the attitude of the SEC and other regulatory authorities may cause changes in access models or product structures in the future. Therefore, it is important for users to carefully review the legal notices and seek independent advice before investing.Don't forget to follow our JR Kripto Guide series for the most up-to-date content on Ondo Finance and RWA-based Web3 investments!
WLD Comments and Price Analysis 25 June 2025
WLD Technical AnalysisLooking at the WLD chart, it is clear that the price of the coin has been trading within the downtrend since March 2024. The price is currently at the level of $0.90 and seems to have rebounded from the middle border of the channel and also the horizontal support channel at $0.85–$0.82. WLD Support Zones The price currently trading around $0.85–$0.82 has reacted from this short-term support zone several times. However, if this support zone breaks downwards, then the selling pressure might increase, and the price might want to go down to the level $0.73–$0.67, which also coincides with the lower band of the descending channel.Despite the scenario stated above, the price of the coin is likely to test the first strong resistance zone of $1.11–$1.21 in the event of upward movements. If the price breaks above this resistance and manages to hold above it, then the closest target might be the level of $1.52. The next major support zone will be the $1.92–$2.10 level.To summarize, WLD is drawing close to the support line within the falling channel, and possible reactions from here might trigger a short-term price recovery upwards. The price needs to close above the level of $1.10 if the trend is to turn positive; or else, the downtrend might carry on.These analyses, not offering any kind of investment advice, focus on support and resistance levels considered to offer trading opportunities in the short and medium term according to the market conditions. However, the user is responsible for their own actions and risk management. Moreover, it is highly recommended to use stop loss (SL) during the transactions.
MINE Comments and Price Analysis 25 June 2025
MINA Short Term Technical AnalysisWe will be looking at the MINA chart in the short time frame, as it does not have a satisfying price performance in the long term. MINA has renewed all-time low (ATL), and for this reason, it might be offering opportunities on the futures side. MINA Short Term MINA managed to rise above the resistance level of $0.174 subsequent to its last decline. The area $0.189–$0.195 will be the first resistance area the price is likely to test. Should the price break this resistance swiftly, the first target might be the level $0.214, and then we have the important price zone $0.234–$0.241 on the horizon, where we could witness the most intense sell pressure. In case of a pullback from this level, the price might go down to the level of $0.195 once again.If the price, however, keeps rising upwards in spite of the sell pressure around the resistance zone, it is likely to target the level $0.267. If the price does close daily above this level, then it indicates the downtrend is over.These analyses, not offering any kind of investment advice, focus on support and resistance levels considered to offer trading opportunities in the short and medium term according to the market conditions. However, the user is responsible for their own actions and risk management. Moreover, it is highly recommended to use stop loss (SL) during the transactions.
TON Comments and Price Analysis 25 June 2025
TON Technical AnalysisLooking at the chart, we see that TON is printing a widening ascending channel, where the trend area in the lower region remains strong and rebounds from here in every sharp fall. The price again managed to exceed the resistance level of 2.76, rebounding from this trend zone in the last fall. The level 2.76 bears importance as it is the trend support and horizontal support at the same time. Wide Rising Channel It currently targets the resistance area of $3.31–$3.50, which has been tested four times before. If the price breaks out from this short-term falling pattern, it is possible that the price will first test $4.13 and later the resistance level of $4.87–$5.16. The upper trend zone is to be one of the main target points as long as this ascending pattern in the long term is maintained.These analyses, not offering any kind of investment advice, focus on support and resistance levels considered to offer trading opportunities in the short and medium term according to the market conditions. However, the user is responsible for their own actions and risk management. Moreover, it is highly recommended to use stop loss (SL) during the transactions.
What is Hedera (HBAR)?
The world of cryptocurrencies is diversifying with new projects every day. Sometimes we come across innovations that make us say, “Where did this come from?” Hedera is exactly one of these projects: it leaves the blockchain structure we are used to behind and emerges with a completely different architecture. The question “What is Hedera?” opens the door to understanding not only a cryptocurrency but also a different technological approach. In the rest of the article, we will examine many details, from the Hashgraph algorithm underlying Hedera to why this system is different from blockchain.Definition and Origin of HederaWhile looking for an answer to the question “What is Hedera?” or “What is HBAR coin?”, we first need to understand the technology it is based on: Hashgraph. If you ask "what is Hashgraph technology"; Hashgraph’s main purpose is to offer higher speed, fair transactions, lower costs and security compared to traditional blockchains. Hedera emerges as a distributed ledger network that brings this technology to life. While data is chained in blocks in classic blockchain systems, Hedera prefers a different structure: Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). This structure allows data to be processed in a much more flexible and parallel way, rather than linearly. Each transaction or “event” connects to others to form a graph. However, as the name suggests, this graph does not contain loops, meaning there are no repetitions in the past. In this way, the process constantly flows forward and efficiency increases. DAGs are defined as a method of organizing, representing and showing how a process progresses over time. This architecture allows Hedera to be not only faster, but also to have a higher transaction volume. While transactions are processed sequentially and in a limited way in traditional chain structures, a large number of transactions can be executed simultaneously in the DAG structure. This makes Hedera a high-performance alternative. In short, in the DAG vs blockchain comparison, Hedera's Hashgraph aims to overcome some of the challenges faced by blockchains, especially in terms of speed, scalability, energy efficiency and low costs.Hedera's founding vision is based on creating a sustainable, secure and scalable distributed ledger not only in technical terms but also in the entire ecosystem. Goals such as overcoming the bottlenecks experienced by blockchain systems in terms of speed and efficiency, and providing lower fees and energy usage are at the center of this vision.This technological infrastructure is based on the Hashgraph algorithm developed by American computer scientist Dr. Leemon Baird. Baird is also the founder of a company called Swirlds together with Mance Harmon. Initially, this algorithm was patented by Swirlds, but in 2022, the Hedera Governance Council purchased these rights and made the algorithm open source under the Apache License. This allowed the technology to have a more transparent and community-oriented structure.The native cryptocurrency of the Hedera network is HBAR. So what does HBAR do? The HBAR token has a very wide area of use. It is used for various purposes such as running decentralized applications (DApps) on the network, paying transaction fees, staking to ensure the security of the network, and participating in governance processes. In short, HBAR acts as the fuel of the Hedera ecosystem. In terms of founders, the project is backed by Baird and Harmon, as well as Paul Madsen as technical leader. Sources such as Bittime describe Madsen as the project’s CTO and one of its founders. The overall vision is quite clear: Hedera aims to be the future “trust layer” of the internet.Hedera’s History: Major MilestonesThe Hedera story reflects the transformation of a technological innovation from an idea to a global, institutionally supported platform. It all began with the invention of the Hashgraph algorithm, and over time, with many critical developments, this innovative idea has evolved into a tangible infrastructure.Mid-2010s: American computer scientist Dr. Leemon Baird developed the Hashgraph algorithm, which could offer an alternative to traditional blockchain systems.2015: Baird founded Swirlds Inc. with technology manager Mance Harmon. The patents for the Hashgraph algorithm were also protected by this company.2016: The project took its first steps under the Hashgraph Consortium LLC umbrella. This period marked the completion of the seed investment process.August 2018: The Hedera Hashgraph network went live in private beta with the first Governance Council members. During the same period, the HBAR token was offered to the public, which is considered the official launch of Hedera.September 2019: Hedera's mainnet officially launched and the network became public.2020: It was an important year in terms of technological developments. Google Cloud joined the Governance Council. At the same time, Hedera made its smart contract, consensus, file, and token services open source. The codebase was made available to the community in an "open-review" format.2020–2023: During this period, the Hedera Governance Council continued to grow. Major institutions such as IBM, LG, Boeing, Deutsche Telekom, FIS Global, and Tata Communications joined the council. Hedera also introduced smart contract services compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). In 2021, the Governance Council approved the establishment of the HBAR Foundation, an independent organization to support the growth of the Hedera ecosystem. Joined the EFTPOS governance council. In 2022, the Governance Council made the decision to purchase the Hashgraph Consensus Algorithm intellectual property from Swirlds, Inc. and open source the algorithm. The Hedera core codebase was made open source. Hedera's co-founder roles were reshuffled and the management team was transferred to Swirlds Labs. In addition, native staking and delegation for HBAR were gradually rolled out on the mainnet. Mainnet support for third-party EVM tools (JSON-RPC, Truffle, Hardhat, etc.) was launched. Stablecoin Studio (open source SDK) was launched for building stablecoin applications. Smart contract validation support was launched. 2024: Hedera Wallet Snap (MetaMask plugin) was launched. In September 2024, Hedera transferred the entire source code of Hedera Hashgraph to the Linux Foundation. These codes are now available as the open source and vendor-neutral Hiero project. This move coincides with the expansion of Web3 solutions, stablecoins, and enterprise use cases, as well as the growth of the overall ecosystem. During this period:Walltech signed a $3 billion luxury goods tokenization project,Developed a cross-border trade-focused partnership with Standard Bank Group,Safe Health Systems integrated Hedera technology for medical records management,Suku.world used Hedera in its supply chain finance applications,Animoca Brands partnered with Hedera to combat cheating in games.Why Is Hedera Valuable?Hedera is not only a technical alternative in the field of distributed ledger technologies; it draws attention with the solutions it offers in areas such as speed, efficiency, energy consumption and corporate governance. Developed against some of the fundamental limitations of blockchain technology, Hedera Hashgraph becomes a strong option for both individual and corporate users with the advantages it offers. Here are the issues that make Hedera valuable...High Speed and Efficiency: DAG Structure and Hashgraph AlgorithmClassic blockchain systems process transactions sequentially and in blocks. Although this structure provides security, it can cause serious limitations in transaction speed. Especially as the network becomes more dense, the confirmation time of transactions increases and performance decreases. Hedera, on the other hand, is switching to a completely different architecture to overcome this congestion: DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph).The main difference of this structure is that it can process multiple transactions in parallel at the same time instead of sorting them one by one. Thanks to the Hashgraph algorithm, which works with a DAG structure, Hedera can reach a throughput of over 10,000 transactions per second (TPS). This figure is quite impressive when compared to Bitcoin’s 6–8 TPS and Ethereum’s around 12–15 TPS. Moreover, the transaction finalization time is also quite short: around 2–5 seconds. But most importantly, this finalization is not based on probability, but on mathematical certainty; once a transaction is confirmed, there is no turning back.CategoryBlockchainHedera HashgraphProgramming LanguagesSolidity, Vyper, Cadence, Java, JavaScript, Python, C++, C#, Go, RustSolidity, Vyper, Java, JavaScript, GoConsensus ProtocolsPoW, PoS, Delegated PoS, Proof-of-History, Proof-of-Authority, etc.Hashgraph based on “Gossip about Gossip” protocolTransaction Speed7–50,000 transactions per second depending on platform and consensus mechanismUp to 10,000 transactions per secondSmart ContractsImmutable, generally non-upgradableImmutable, optionally upgradableAccessibilityPublic, private, hybridPermissioned public system, plans to become fully permissionlessSecurity MechanismsCryptographic hashing, blocksAsynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (aBFT)CryptocurrenciesOver 18,000 including BTC, ETH, XRP, ADA, SOL, DOGE, QTUM, DOT, TRXHBARWhile blocks are created one by one in blockchains and added to the chain, in Hedera, all transactions are included in the ledger and none are discarded. While slowing mechanisms (such as PoW) are required against the risk of forking in Blockchain, such slowing down is not required in Hashgraph since nothing is discarded. This makes Hedera more efficient and faster in terms of Hedera network features.Low Costs and Energy EfficiencyOne of the most frequently criticized issues in the crypto world is energy consumption. Networks that use Proof of Work (PoW) mechanisms in particular can consume huge amounts of energy and threaten environmental sustainability. The Hedera consensus model is quite ambitious in this regard. Hashgraph's "gossip about gossip" protocol and virtual voting method provide secure and fast consensus without the need for miners or traditional validators. In this way, Hedera has a carbon-neutral crypto or even carbon-negative structure. This is one of the reasons why it has attracted the attention of companies that promote sustainability, such as Google.Transaction fees are also quite low: usually under one cent, on average around $0.0001. Moreover, these fees are fixed and do not fluctuate according to network density. This predictability offers a serious advantage, especially for enterprise applications. Users know in advance how much their transactions will cost.Enterprise-Level Governance and SecurityHedera takes an institutional approach to the concept of decentralization. Aiming to establish a system where “everyone has a say but no one has sole control,” the Hedera Governance Council consists of up to 39 globally operating companies. Giants such as Google, IBM, LG, Boeing and Tata Communications are among the members of this council. Thanks to this structure, decisions made on the network are made together on many issues, from software updates to fee structures, from treasury management to governance rules. Council members serve for fixed terms without a profit motive and have an equal say in ensuring the stability of the system. This model aims to minimize chaos that may occur due to individual interests or intra-community conflicts. With this structure, Hedera becomes an attractive platform for large enterprises and governments looking for enterprise blockchain infrastructure. Members of Hedera's governance council. Source: Hedera Hedera is also in a strong position in terms of security. The Hashgraph algorithm has a high level of security called Asynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (aBFT). aBFT is considered one of the most mathematically secure protocols that can be achieved in distributed systems. Thanks to this structure, the risk of forking is eliminated and the network continues to operate stably. Hedera also offers ACID guarantees found in central databases, taking security and data integrity to the next level.Wide Range of Uses and ServicesHedera is not just a crypto network; it is a platform that offers a comprehensive infrastructure for developers.Hedera Consensus Service (HCS): Allows applications to directly benefit from Hashgraph's speed and fair ranking advantages. It is ideal for reliable data recording, especially in sectors such as banking, healthcare and supply chain.Hedera Token Service (HTS): Provides enterprise-level tools for creating and managing both fungible tokens and NFTs. It appeals to large projects with its capabilities such as KYC, account freezing and supply control.Hedera Smart-Contract Service (HSCS): Supports smart contracts written in Ethereum’s Solidity language and is EVM compatible. This allows fast and low-cost applications to be developed in areas such as DeFi, gaming, and identity management.These services and Hedera’s underlying technological advantages allow the platform to find wide use in various areas such as NFT, DeFi (decentralized finance), decentralized identity (DID), data verification and audit trails, payments, and supply chain management. The platform is suitable for both enterprise-level applications and individual users.The Role of HBAR TokenThe HBAR token’s usage is not limited to paying transaction fees. It is a versatile token that performs many critical functions from security to governance. Users can secure the network with HBAR staking and earn rewards in the process. This system creates a security model similar to Proof-of-Stake (PoS). In addition, token holders will have the opportunity to participate more directly in governance processes in the future. An example HBAR staking panel. When 1,000 HBAR is deposited into a node hosted by Deutsche Telekom, it offers an average of 0.4 HBAR per year. Source: Hashscan.io The total supply of HBAR is limited to 50 billion tokens. This limit aims to maintain long-term value while also keeping the token economy stable. The supply in circulation increases gradually and in a planned manner. This planning prevents any individual or organization from accumulating a large amount of HBAR and affecting the network, while also allowing the price to be determined by natural market conditions. We can summarize the functions of HBAR as follows: It provides payment for low transaction fees on the Hedera network, provides network security with staking, is a payment tool for transaction fees for KCS, HTS and HCSC in the decentralized application (dApp) ecosystem, is important for governance participation, its supply is opened at certain times and the effort to transform towards a completely open and permissionless network underlines the value of the token. The HBAR price also plays an important role in the value of the network. HBAR is traded at $ 0.18 as of May 2025. It recorded its all-time high in September 2021. The record level was seen around $0.57. HBAR price since launch. Who is the Founder of Hedera?Behind Hedera Hashgraph, there is a strong team that acts not only with technical knowledge but also with a visionary approach. The answer to the question of who is the founder of Hedera includes two main names and a CTO.The first name that stands out is Dr. A.S. Leemon Baird, the inventor of the Hashgraph algorithm. Baird, who has a doctorate in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University, has been working on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and distributed systems for over 20 years. He served as a professor of computer science at the US Air Force Academy and has also worked as a senior scientist in many technology companies. The Hashgraph algorithm he developed offers a much more efficient solution to the problems faced by blockchain technology such as speed, cost and security.Next to Baird is Mance Harmon, another co-founder of Hedera. Harmon is a leader who has undertaken strategic roles in product security, cyber threat simulation and public services in the technology sector. Harmon, who founded Swirlds with Baird, also served as Hedera’s CEO for a long time. He has a vision that Hedera will not only be a short-term technology project, but also one of the foundations of trust in the digital world in the long term.One of the names that later made technical contributions to the team was Paul Madsen. Madsen, an expert in software engineering and cybersecurity, joined the project as Hedera’s CTO. His contributions play an important role in making Hedera’s technical structure robust, scalable and developer-friendly.These three names not only established the technological infrastructure; they also shaped the governance model that would put the project’s decentralization approach on an institutional basis. However, Hedera’s future is not only in the hands of these founders. The Hedera Governance Council, which consists of global companies from different sectors, determines the project’s course. This structure aims to implement decentralization in a more sustainable and stable manner.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Below, you can find frequently asked questions and answers about Hedera:What is HBAR, how does it work?: HBAR is the native cryptocurrency of the Hedera network. It has functions such as paying transaction fees, running decentralized applications, staking, and participating in governance processes. Every transaction on the network is carried out with HBAR.What is the difference between Hedera Hashgraph and blockchain?: Instead of blockchain, Hedera uses the DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) structure and the consensus algorithm called Hashgraph. In this way, transactions are carried out in parallel, much faster and more energy-efficiently. There is also no risk of fork.Can HBAR be staked?: Yes, HBAR tokens can be staked on the network. Users contribute to network security by assigning their tokens to certain nodes and can earn rewards in return.Is Hedera's energy consumption low?: Yes, it is quite low. The Hashgraph algorithm is energy efficient as it does not require mining or heavy processing power. Hedera is a carbon neutral network.What is the HBAR token supply?: The total HBAR supply is limited to 50 billion tokens. This supply will gradually enter circulation over time. The planned distribution model maintains the supply-demand balance and supports price stability.Is the Hedera network secure?: Yes. Hedera uses a highly secure algorithm such as Asynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (aBFT). In addition, its governance model is overseen by globally recognized companies and provides enterprise-level decentralization.Don’t forget to follow our JR Kripto Guide series to discover projects working with Hedera and Hashgraph technology!
What is Cardano (ADA)?
As blockchain technology develops rapidly, each new platform aims to eliminate the shortcomings of the previous generation and offer a better future. Cardano, one of the important players in this ecosystem, draws attention with its scientific blockchain approach. So what exactly is Cardano and what are the features that distinguish it from others? In this article, we will thoroughly examine Cardano's cornerstones, history, why it is so valuable, and who brought it to life.Cardano's Definition and OriginCardano (ADA) is known as a decentralized, public blockchain platform. Its main purpose is a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain designed to be more efficient than blockchains based on energy-intensive mechanisms such as Proof-of-Work (PoW). In other words, it is a highly energy-efficient platform among PoS coins. Cardano is also defined as a third-generation blockchain project developed with academic research and scientific methods. While positioning itself as a "third-generation" platform, it states that it is an update and alternative to "second-generation" platforms such as Ethereum. Cardano has design principles that aim to overcome issues that previous cryptocurrencies faced, such as scalability, interoperability, and lack of regulatory compliance.Chainlink claims to specifically address Bitcoin’s slow and inflexible nature and Ethereum’s security or scalability issues. It is known for its research-focused approach. In 2017, when it was founded, it was the largest cryptocurrency using Proof-of-Stake.Cardano has a layered structure consisting of the Settlement Layer (CSL), which is the layer where transactions take place and are recorded, and the Computation Layer (CCL), which allows smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) to work. This dual-layer structure allows for faster transactions than Bitcoin. Cardano architecture. Source: Cardano Docs The story of the blockchain's cryptocurrency called ADA is also interesting. Because ADA was named after Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, an English aristocrat and generally considered the first computer programmer. The subunit of Ada is Lovelace. 1 ADA is equal to 1,000,000 Lovelace. Cardano's consensus mechanism is known as a Proof-of-Stake protocol called Ouroboros PoS consensus. Ouroboros was released as "the first provably secure PoS consensus protocol." This mechanism uses and rewards cryptocurrencies for work done to review and expand the blockchain's historical record, just like Ethereum. However, unlike Bitcoin's PoW, it is based on staking and consumes much less energy. Cardano's founder Charles Hoskinson described the Ouroboros consensus mechanism as energy efficient. In fact, according to data, it is up to four million times more energy efficient than Bitcoin's PoW. At the heart of Ouroboros is a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus algorithm used by computers running the Cardano software to secure the network, verify transactions, and earn newly minted ADA.The platform’s smart contract platform (Plutus) allows developers to build decentralized applications on the Cardano blockchain. Cardano is implemented with a programming language optimized for smart contract development called Plutus. Upgrades like Plutus V3 aim to further enhance its smart contract capabilities and developer tools. There is also a domain-specific language called Marlowe that makes it easier for non-programmers to create smart contracts in the financial sector. Cardano is built using Haskell, a functional programming language that emphasizes mathematical precision and reliability. Unlike traditional languages, Haskell uses a declarative approach where functions are written as mathematical expressions.Cardano was founded in 2015 by Charles Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood. Charles Hoskinson was one of the co-founders of Ethereum but began developing Cardano after leaving due to disagreements over the direction of the project. Hoskinson stated that he viewed the early versions of Ethereum as a "proof of concept" and aimed to address its shortcomings with Cardano. After two years of research and development, the Cardano blockchain network was launched in 2017 with its first mined block.Cardano's main goal is to create a secure, sustainable, and scalable financial infrastructure. It brings together leading technologies to provide unparalleled security and sustainability for decentralized applications, systems, and societies. It aims to be a platform that is strong enough to protect the security of billions of people's data, scalable enough to adapt to global systems, and robust enough to support fundamental changes. Cardano aims to decentralize power from unaccountable structures to individuals, that is, the edges, and to be a force for positive change and progress. It also has an ambitious goal of providing banking services to the world's unbanked population.The Cardano platform aims to become a system for decentralized applications with various use cases as an answer to the question of what Cardano is used for. It focuses on creating a public blockchain ecosystem that allows developers to create other tokens, dApps, or any use case that a scalable blockchain network can accommodate. ADA, on the other hand, is used for transactions on the platform.Cardano’s History: Major MilestonesCardano’s story begins with its seeds being planted in 2015 and follows a carefully planned roadmap. This roadmap is divided into five main “eras,” or phases, named after important figures in the history of poetry and computer science: Byron, Shelley, Goguen, Basho, and Voltaire. The "eras" of Cardano. Source: Cardano Cafe These stages represent the transformation process of Cardano from a basic blockchain to a fully decentralized and self-governing ecosystem. The story of Cardano can be divided into important headings as follows:2015: IOHK was founded. This engineering company, which laid the groundwork for the development of Cardano, was founded by Charles Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood. IOHK focused on developing high-assurance blockchain infrastructure solutions for public, private, and government customers. It became the primary developer of the Cardano blockchain. Later, Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK) was renamed Input Output Global (IOG).2017: Cardano mainnet and ADA token were launched. After two years of research and development, the mainnet of the Cardano blockchain went live in September 2017 with the Byron phase. This phase allowed users to buy and sell their native token, the ADA token. The Byron phase was the first phase of the Cardano roadmap.2020: Staking began with the Shelley update. Named after Mary Shelley, the Shelley phase transitioned Cardano from a governed structure to a more decentralized PoS consensus mechanism called Ouroboros. This phase was designed as a secure and stable transition towards a more decentralized Cardano via community-run network nodes that were incentivized to participate in the network’s decentralization goals. Shelley introduced the staking mechanism, which allowed ADA holders to stake their tokens to participate in the security of the network and earn rewards. This significantly decentralized the network. 2021: Smart contracts enabled with the Alonzo hard fork. Named after computer scientist Joseph Goguen, the Goguen phase aimed to enable smart contract functionality on the blockchain. This was achieved with the Alonzo hard fork in September 2021. The Alonzo update enabled smart contracts on the Cardano blockchain for the first time, opening up the possibility for a wide range of dApps to be built on Cardano. This update allowed developers to create dApps like NFTs and manage multiple cryptocurrency assets associated with them. The Alonzo hard fork was one of the critical steps in the Cardano Shelley Alonzo transition and significantly expanded Cardano’s capabilities.2022: Vasil hard fork increased scalability. As part of the Basho phase (named after the Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō), the Vasil hard fork was completed in September 2022. This update introduced scalability upgrades to further enhance dApp functionality, such as increased block size, improved transaction processing, and new scripting capabilities. Vasil increased the network’s transaction throughput and smart contract capabilities.2023–2024: CIP (Cardano Improvement Proposal) and Governance Improvements. The Voltaire phase (named after the French writer and philosopher Voltaire) focuses on the integration of decentralized governance. This phase aims to bring voting and treasury management to the blockchain network. Through mechanisms such as CIP (Cardano Improvement Proposal), a decentralized decision-making process has been launched that allows ADA token holders to create, vote on, and implement proposals. Testnets such as SanchoNet, defined by the CIP-1694 guidelines, serve as a sandbox for testing governance tools. The Chang hard fork, planned as part of Cardano’s Voltaire phase, will introduce on-chain governance in two phases. This transition marks the successful transfer of control of network development from IOHK to the community. These major milestones summarize the Cardano updates process. Although the answer to the question of when Cardano was released is 2017, the platform’s capabilities have changed and expanded significantly over time. The roadmap continues to progress, with Basho focusing on scaling and optimization, and Voltaire bringing full decentralized governance. Overall, this Cardano roadmap provides a vision for the platform’s future development. We can also say that the roadmap satisfies the curiosity of investors or people who want to enter this field regarding the network. Why is Cardano Valuable?There are several reasons why Cardano stands out among other blockchain platforms and is considered valuable. The main reasons are the platform's basic principles and technological infrastructure. However, it is not limited to this. Let's take a closer look...Cardano is an academic blockchain platformFirst of all, Cardano is the only blockchain platform developed with academic peer-reviewed research, which makes it unique. The platform's "research-first" approach is a distinctive feature. As the company that built Cardano, IOHK has published more than 100 academic articles on the technology and partnered with global universities in the process. It has supported research on blockchain technology with institutions such as the University of Edinburgh, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the University of Wyoming. This rigorous, evidence-based development process also includes formal verification, which means mathematical verification of Cardano's code. This scientific and research-based approach creates confidence in the robustness of the platform. This allows it to be defined as a scientific blockchain.Energy saving: PoS infrastructure draws attentionCardano's PoS infrastructure, which provides low energy consumption, is a significant advantage. Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work (PoW) mechanism requires a tremendous amount of energy to reach consensus. Cardano’s Ouroboros consensus algorithm addresses this issue with a more sustainable approach by offering a solution to PoW’s performance and energy usage challenges. Ouroboros selects participants (in Cardano’s case, staking pools) to create new blocks based on their stake in the network. As such, it uses a much smaller amount of energy than Bitcoin’s PoW algorithm. This energy efficiency is valuable both in minimizing environmental impact and making the consensus process more accessible to the average user.Cardano can generate income through stakingCardano’s passive income through staking is an attractive feature for its users. In the Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, users “stake” the blockchain’s cryptocurrency for the opportunity to become validators. Staking is the locking of a certain amount of ADA cryptocurrency into the network to represent and secure validator rights on the Cardano network. Validators open blocks of transactions and finalize the transaction. They are then rewarded with ADA according to the number of tokens they staked. Users can participate in the validation process by joining a pool, which can be public or private, or by creating their own pool. These Cardano staking pools allow ADA holders to earn rewards by transferring their tokens to others rather than operating them themselves. Staking both ensures the security of the network and incentivizes participants for honest behavior.Wide range of use cases and ecosystemOn the other hand, Cardano has active use cases for decentralized applications (dApps), NFTs, education, and identity projects. Its smart contract capabilities enable a wide range of use cases. DeFi services are available on Cardano, allowing developers to create native assets, dApps, and NFTs. The platform’s use cases include traceability, authenticity, and sustainability. Some of the cases where Cardano has been used include:· Use in the coffee supply chain in Ethiopia· Use in the identity verification system in Georgia· Authenticity pilot program for New Balance shoes· ID and registration system for five million school students in Ethiopia· DJ Paul Oakenfold’s album release· Collaboration with Dish NetworkAlso, the potential to help citizens in Zanzibar, Ethiopia and Burundi obtain digital IDs, and the World Mobile Token (WMT) that provides remote mobile network access in Africa, were built on the Cardano network. These projects and use cases are the simplest answers to the question of what Cardano is for. The Cardano Foundation aims to use blockchain to create future-proof solutions by working with institutions, businesses, regulators and policymakers. Blockchain training is also offered through the Cardano Academy. Cardano ecosystem. Source: Coin98 The apple of investors’ eye: ADA coinADA token is used for transaction fee payment, staking and governance. ADA is the native cryptocurrency token of the Cardano network. Users can use ADA as a secure exchange of value, without the need for an intermediary third party. Every transaction is recorded permanently, securely and transparently on the Cardano blockchain. ADA ownership determines who becomes the slot leader (who has the right to add blocks) and who earns a share of the fees paid for transactions in the blocks. ADA tokens are also used to vote on software policies (such as the inflation rate), incentivizing participants to hold ADA and secure its future value.ADA’s maximum supply is limited to 45 billion tokens. Approximately 31 billion ADA was in circulation in early 2020, with the remaining 14 billion planned to be released via minting. This information provides insight into the supply and circulation of ADA, as well as the economic structure of the token. The ADA token features make it not only a trading tool, but also a critical role in the operation and management of the network. The answer to the question of what is ADA coin defines this versatile token in the Cardano ecosystem. In the meantime, it is necessary to mention the ADA price. ADA is changing hands around $ 0.68 as of May 2025. It has been about 4 years since the coin saw its all-time high. In 2021, its price jumped to $ 3.10. The price of ADA since 2017 High security with Ourobos protocolFinally, it is necessary to mention Cardano's Ouroboros protocol, which is described as "Provably Secure". This protocol guarantees that the network is secure as long as 51% of honest participants stake it. This security guarantee is achieved through innovative concepts such as random leader election. The protocol continues to evolve through new iterations and rigorous security analysis. Being written in formally specified programming languages such as Haskell allows its code to be mathematically verified, a process widely used in the banking and defense sectors.When all these factors come together, it becomes clearer why Cardano is a valuable blockchain platform. Research-driven development, energy efficiency, passive income opportunities, active use cases, and the functionality of its token make Cardano a major player in the blockchain ecosystem.Who is Cardano's Founder?The story of Cardano took shape under the leadership of visionary individuals. The platform's co-founders and the organizations that support it played critical roles in Cardano's development. Cardano was founded by Charles Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood. The duo are experienced in the blockchain world. Charles Hoskinson. Charles Hoskinson is a Colorado-based tech entrepreneur and mathematician. He studied analytical number theory at the Metropolitan State University of Denver and the University of Colorado Boulder before entering the cryptography field with industrial experience. His professional experience includes founding three cryptocurrency-related startups: Invictus Innovations, Ethereum, and IOHK. He has also held various positions in both the public and private sectors. He was the founding chair of the Bitcoin Foundation’s education committee and founded the Cryptocurrency Research Group in 2013.Hoskinson is also a co-founder of Ethereum. However, in 2014, he left Vitalik Buterin and the Ethereum team over a disagreement over whether Ethereum should be a commercial company (Hoskinson’s view) or a non-profit organization (Vitalik Buterin’s view). After this departure, he co-founded IOHK with Jeremy Wood in 2015 and focused on developing Cardano. Hoskinson stated that he is not seeking venture capital for Cardano, as he believes it goes against the principles of blockchain and that venture capital involvement can lead to over-controlling a project. IOHK (IOG) team Hoskinson’s current projects focus on educating people about cryptocurrencies, advocating for decentralization, and making cryptographic tools easier for mainstream users. This includes leading the research, design, and development of Cardano, a third-generation cryptocurrency that launched in September 2017. He is the CEO and founder of IOHK. The primary answer to the question of who founded Cardano is Charles Hoskinson, but Jeremy Wood is also a key partner. Jeremy Wood is a former Ethereum colleague and co-founded IOHK with Hoskinson. He served as an Executive Assistant at Ethereum.IOHK (Input Output), a company responsible for the technical development of the Cardano ecosystem, was founded in 2015 by Charles Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood. This engineering and research company is designed to build cryptocurrencies and blockchains. It develops high-assurance blockchain infrastructure solutions for public, private, and government clients. IOHK served as the primary developer of the Cardano blockchain. Now rebranded as Input Output Global (IOG), the company is a fully decentralized remote organization of over 400 people in over 50 countries. It is strongly committed to the principles of academic rigor and evidence-based software development.The Cardano ecosystem is governed by three core entities to ensure the progress of the project and its core mission. These independent entities collaborate within a decentralized team:IOHK (development): Responsible for building the Cardano blockchain as an engineering company and technical development. Software development firm.Emurgo (commercial integration): Responsible for commercial applications. Supports the commercial growth of the ecosystem.Cardano Foundation (community & standards): A non-profit foundation headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. Responsible for overseeing the development of the Cardano blockchain and promoting its adoption. Aims to standardize and promote the ecosystem. He works with institutions, businesses, regulators, and policymakers. Frederik Gregaard has been the CEO of the Cardano Foundation since 2021.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Below, you can find some frequently asked questions and answers about Cardano (ADA):What is Cardano and how does it work?: Cardano is a third-generation blockchain platform developed based on scientific research. It uses the PoS (Proof of Stake) mechanism and aims to provide sustainable, secure and scalable solutions.What does ADA coin do?: ADA is Cardano's native cryptocurrency. It is used to pay transaction fees on the network, to do staking, and to participate in governance processes.How is Cardano staking done?: ADA staking is done by delegating your cryptocurrencies to validator pools (stake pools) by holding them in your wallet. Staking can be done easily through wallets such as Yoroi or Daedalus.What is the difference between Cardano and Ethereum?: Ethereum is an older and widely used platform. However, Cardano has adopted the energy-efficient PoS system from the very beginning. Cardano also has a layered structure developed with academic methods.What are Cardano’s future plans?: Cardano aims to increase the development of smart contracts, scalability, and governance. It is also working on projects such as on-chain governance (Voltaire) and sidechain integration.Is Cardano reliable?: Cardano is a reliable project with its scientifically based approach, open-source structure, and active developer community. However, it is always important to do your own research when investing.Don’t forget to follow our JR Kripto Guide series for more on Cardano and scientifically based blockchain projects!
Truth Social's Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF Officially In Listing Process
Donald Trump's media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), is expanding its claim in the cryptocurrency space. The company's Bitcoin and Ethereum-focused ETF, named after its social media platform Truth Social, has been accepted into the official listing application process by NYSE Arca, affiliated with the New York Stock Exchange.New development in Truth Social's Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFIn fact, the ETF application in question was made a few weeks ago. However, now the process has officially entered a new phase. NYSE Arca has filed a "Form 19b-4" with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), requesting the necessary rule changes for the ETF to be traded on the stock exchange. This step officially signals the start of the listing process for the ETF. Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, which has a passive investment strategy, aims to directly track Bitcoin and Ethereum prices. The fund's portfolio distribution will be 75% Bitcoin and 25% Ethereum. This ratio shows that Bitcoin maintains its digital gold status, but Ethereum is also included.The fund will be sponsored by Yorkville America Digital, while custody services will be provided by Foris DAX Trust Company. Market pricing will be provided by CF Benchmarks, as with other ETFs previously approved by the SEC. Net asset value (NAV), total assets, and intraday values will be updated every 15 seconds.The ETF's creation and redemption transactions will be made directly with crypto assets via blocks of 10,000 shares. This system aims to reduce tax burdens and increase price efficiency. NYSE Arca also stated that it will use data from CME's futures markets and its own surveillance infrastructure to prevent fraud and market manipulation.Crypto initiatives continue to growTrump Media is not limited to this ETF. In June, the company filed both a Bitcoin-only spot ETF application and a Bitcoin-Ethereum hybrid ETF application. With the announcement made in May, Trump Media announced that it was aiming for a total capital increase of $2.5 billion and announced that it would purchase Bitcoin with the majority of this fund. The company had also created share buyback plans within this scope.The activities of World Liberty Financial, which is affiliated with the Trump family, are also drawing attention in cryptocurrencies. The company in question entered the market with a stablecoin project called USD1. It has also made headlines with its purchases of other cryptocurrencies.If approved, the Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF will be one of the first dual-asset crypto ETFs to be traded on US exchanges. In order for the SEC to evaluate the application, it must first be published in the Federal Register and then the evaluation process must begin with comments from the public.
What is Chainlink (LINK)?
In the blockchain world, smart contracts enable secure and automated transactions. However, they lack the ability to access data from the outside world on their own. This is where Chainlink comes in: it acts as a bridge connecting smart contracts with real-world data. Chainlink, which carries a wide range of data from financial market data to weather information and even match results onto the chain, expands the boundaries of blockchain technology with its decentralized oracle infrastructure. In this article, we will take a detailed look at what Chainlink is, how it works, and why it has become indispensable for the Web3 ecosystem.Chainlink's Definition and OriginIf you think smart contracts can only operate within their own closed systems, Chainlink is the magical bridge that changes that. So, what is Chainlink? What is the LINK coin, the platform's cryptocurrency? In the simplest terms, Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network that enables smart contracts to access external world data. The potential of smart contracts is enormous, but by their very nature, they are limited to the data available on the existing blockchain. In other words, a smart contract cannot independently access information about real-world events (such as the outcome of a sports match, the price of a commodity, weather conditions, or whether a payment has been made). This is where the Chainlink oracle system comes into play. Chainlink data flow diagram. Source: Chainlink Off-chain data (weather, finance, API, price data, etc.) is transferred to smart contracts, allowing them to be triggered and executed based on real-world events. This solves the “oracle problem,” which refers to the inability of blockchains to connect to the outside world. Chainlink establishes this connection in a decentralized and reliable manner, enabling smart contracts to become much more advanced and useful.The Chainlink project was launched in 2017 by Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis. They are also the authors of a whitepaper introducing the Chainlink protocol, co-written with Cornell University professor Ari Juels. The founding team recognized that today's financial system largely relies on “paper promises”—traditional agreements made through documents that can be easily violated—and that this poses significant risks. They believed that smart contracts, which operate automatically and enhance transparency and trust between parties, could offer a safer and fairer system. With this vision in mind, they set out to address an urgent issue facing the blockchain industry: the lack of access to real-world data.Although it started on Ethereum, Chainlink's architecture was designed to support multiple networks and now has cross-chain communication capabilities that allow it to work with different blockchain networks. This has transformed Chainlink from a project tied solely to Ethereum into a foundational infrastructure layer for the entire blockchain ecosystem. The answer to the question “What is an oracle network?” is that, like Chainlink, these are decentralized networks that provide external data to smart contracts. Chainlink is a leader in this field.In other words, Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis' vision was to build a world based on cryptographic accuracy after seeing signs of declining trust in traditional institutions. Chainlink Labs was introduced as the organization responsible for developing and promoting the project.Chainlink's History: Key MilestonesChainlink's journey is not merely about establishing an oracle network; it is also a process of pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology and building a reliable bridge between the real world and the digital world. This project, which has continuously renewed and developed itself since its inception, has become one of the cornerstones of Web3 infrastructure. Here are the key milestones and technological advancements that have brought Chainlink to its current strong position...2017: Chainlink conducted an Initial Coin Offering (ICO). During this ICO, 350 million LINK tokens were sold, raising 32 million dollars. Additionally, it is noted that a total of 61 million dollars was raised through a private sale. During the founding period, the maximum supply of the token was also discussed, as a total of 1 billion LINK tokens were set as the maximum supply.2018-2020: Chainlink enhanced its oracle capabilities by integrating various technologies from Cornell, such as Town Crier and DECO. Town Crier connects Ethereum to web sources using HTTPS, while DECO uses zero-knowledge proofs to verify the accuracy of data without revealing sensitive information.2019: The Chainlink Mainnet launch took place. This was a significant step in enabling smart contracts to securely interact with real-world data. Additionally, this year saw Chainlink's first major integrations. In December 2019, Synthetix integrated Chainlink's decentralized oracle network, beginning to provide price feeds for its synthetic assets through Chainlink. This integration was one of the first major steps highlighting the importance of oracle solutions in the DeFi ecosystem. In the weeks bridging 2019 and 2020, Aave partnered with Chainlink to begin providing price data to its protocol through Chainlink's oracle network. This integration enabled Aave to use more reliable and decentralized price data in its lending protocol.2020: With the rapid growth of the DeFi ecosystem, the need for reliable and up-to-date price data increased. Chainlink data feeds saw heavy demand during this period. DeFi protocols began using Chainlink's price feeds to manage loans, trade derivatives, and determine collateral ratios for assets. Chainlink quickly became the industry standard for DeFi.2021: The Chainlink 2.0 whitepaper was published. This paper detailed the vision to expand the role and capabilities of decentralized oracle networks to include hybrid smart contracts that utilize on-chain code and off-chain services provided by oracle networks.2022: Additional services such as Chainlink Keepers and VRF were introduced. Chainlink Keepers (now called Automation) enable smart contracts to automatically perform maintenance tasks when certain conditions or time intervals are met. This makes it possible to execute smart contract functions without the need for a centralized automation tool. Chainlink VRF (Verifiable Random Function) generates verifiable, tamper-resistant random numbers for applications that rely on unpredictable outcomes, such as games, NFT minting, or random assignments. The verifiability of randomness ensures that results are fair and transparent.2023: Chainlink Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) was launched. CCIP is a global cross-chain communication standard that enables secure message (data) and token transfers between blockchains. This protocol aims to establish a bridge between different blockchain ecosystems and traditional financial systems, allowing liquidity to flow freely and enabling institutions to interact with blockchain without changing their existing systems. Leading DeFi protocols such as Synthetix and Aave are among the early adopters of CCIP. Additionally, the collaboration with Swift, the global leader in financial messaging services, demonstrates CCIP's potential in the traditional finance sector. CCIP working principle. Source: Chainlink 2024-2025: Chainlink continued to strengthen its Web3 infrastructure. In 2024, the Synthetix v3 release began offering faster and more accurate price feeds by integrating Chainlink's Data Streams feature on Arbitrum. In 2025, Aave integrated Chainlink's Smart Value Recapture (SVR) feature on the Ethereum mainnet. This integration aims to increase protocol revenues by enabling the recovery of oracle-sourced MEV revenues. In addition, Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) has been implemented in over 300 projects and has facilitated over $2.2 billion in total volume transfers. Chainlink Runtime Environment (CRE) has also made it easier to develop Web3 applications by giving developers the ability to create more flexible and modular applications.Chainlink's history shows that the answer to the question “How does Chainlink work?” has been constantly evolving. The project has evolved from its initial oracle functions into a much broader Web3 services platform encompassing automation, randomness, and cross-chain communication. In addition to being an indispensable infrastructure provider for DeFi data solutions, it has become the standard for smart contract data input. The question “What is Chainlink CCIP?” refers to one of the project's newest and most exciting steps: the vision of building an “internet” between blockchains. This technology plays a significant role in the field of cross-chain bridge technology.Why is Chainlink valuable?Chainlink's value is linked to many factors. As we mentioned earlier, the project's fundamental promise is to integrate real-world data into smart contracts in a secure and transparent manner. This ensures that smart contracts are not only theoretical but also practical. For a smart contract to automatically make payments based on the outcome of a football match or for an insurance contract to pay compensation based on specific weather conditions, these contracts must have access to reliable external data. Chainlink provides this data through decentralized oracle networks, eliminating a single point of failure and reducing the risk of data manipulation.Chainlink serves as a fundamental infrastructure provider in DeFi, insurance, gaming, NFTs, and enterprise applications. It is noted that Chainlink has enabled trillions of dollars worth of transactions in DeFi, provided fair randomness in gaming and NFTs, and helped traditional financial institutions interact with tokenized assets and blockchain. The project shows that over 2,300 projects are part of the Chainlink ecosystem and that it enables a total transaction value of over $20 trillion. These figures point to a blockchain project of considerable size.So, how does this network work, and who provides this service? The Chainlink network consists of independent node operators that provide data feeds. What is a Chainlink node? Nodes are servers that retrieve, verify, and transmit external world data to the blockchain. Chainlink data providers are these node operators, and they are rewarded with LINK tokens for their work. Node operators can set their own fees for their services. How nodes and node operators work. Source: Chainlink Various mechanisms are used to ensure data accuracy on the network. Smart contracts typically ensure accuracy by collecting data from multiple oracles rather than a single one, and then aggregating the results. This data collection process checks whether the information from multiple sources is consistent and filters out unreliable data. Additionally, Chainlink uses a reputation system. Node operators are rated based on their reputation scores, and those with better reputations are more likely to be selected.Another important layer of security is the Chainlink staking system. Node operators “stake” a certain amount of LINK tokens to demonstrate their commitment to the Chainlink network and to be incentivized to provide good service. If a node operator acts maliciously or provides incorrect data, they may lose part or all of the LINK tokens they have staked (slashing). This is known as a crypto-economic security layer that incentivizes nodes to behave honestly. Nodes that stake more LINK have a higher chance of securing larger and more profitable data contracts. While the staking feature is currently primarily active for node operators, community stakers can also contribute to the network's security and earn rewards.One of the recent developments enhancing Chainlink's value is the Chainlink Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) mentioned earlier. CCIP enables not only data transfer but also asset transfer and programmable token transfer between blockchains. This allows DeFi protocols or other applications on different chains to interact securely with one another. For example, a user can transfer their tokens from one chain to a credit protocol on another chain and send instructions on how those tokens should be used in the same transaction. CCIP also plays a key role in the vision of connecting the traditional financial system to blockchains. Sergey Nazarov has stated that CCIP is the cross-chain solution needed to grow the on-chain economy by 10 times for both DeFi and banking developers.Considering all these features and applications, the answer to the question “What is the LINK token used for?” is quite comprehensive. The LINK token is more than just a payment tool; it is a fundamental asset that secures the network, incentivizes node operators, and enables the Chainlink ecosystem to function. The value of LINK is tied to the expansion of the network's use cases and the increasing demand for oracle services. Chainlink's current market position and adoption rate are important factors supporting the value of LINK. Core services like Chainlink price feeds form the foundation of DeFi and other on-chain applications, and payments for these services are made in LINK. This creates a natural demand for LINK. In short, Chainlink acts as the “backbone” for web3 data infrastructure.Finally, it's worth mentioning LINK's price. The coin is trading at around $13-14 as of May 2025. Considering that its all-time high was $52, this level isn't very encouraging, but the project already stands out for its technology. LINK price since launch. Who is the Founder of Chainlink?The minds behind a groundbreaking project like Chainlink are intriguing. The answer to the question of who is the founder of Chainlink? is the two names that shaped the technical and business development vision of the project: Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis. Sergey Nazarov is the co-founder of Chainlink and the CEO of Chainlink Labs. He is a serial entrepreneur and a pioneer of Web3. His past work has primarily focused on decentralized technologies. He has been involved in projects ranging from smart contract-powered asset exchanges to decentralized email communications. It is worth noting that Nazarov has frequently made public statements about Chainlink’s widespread adoption and integration with traditional financial systems. Sergey Nazarov at the Consensus 2023 event. Steve Ellis is the co-founder of Chainlink and the CTO of Chainlink Labs. He has an extensive software engineering background and a passion for entrepreneurship. Ellis has specialized in solving difficult technical problems for over 10 years. He is also known for pushing the boundaries of what is possible with code. He previously worked with Nazarov on the Secure Asset Exchange platform. Ellis plays a key role in creating Chainlink’s technical architecture and the protocol’s ongoing iteration. Steve Ellis Another lesser-known name on the founding team is Ari Juels, a computer science professor at Cornell University. Juels, along with Nazarov and Ellis, wrote the original Chainlink whitepaper and continues to advise the Chainlink team. His research interests overlap with technologies that Chainlink has integrated, such as Town Crier and DECO.The founding team’s core vision was to reliably connect smart contracts with the off-blockchain world after seeing the systemic risks posed by the traditional “words on paper” system. Sergey Nazarov, who called the 2008 financial crisis “a negative example of words on paper,” stated that Chainlink aims to solve such problems. The team believed in a future based on “cryptographic truth” and aimed to enable smart contracts to reach their full potential by connecting them to the real world.Chainlink Labs is the company that works to turn this vision into reality and develop, spread and adopt the Chainlink network. The rapid growth of the project and its becoming an industry standard is a result of the vision of the founding team and the work carried out by Chainlink Labs. As Steve Ellis said, "smart people want to work on hard problems" and the Chainlink team achieved this by solving a fundamental problem such as connecting the blockchain to the outside world. In conclusion, Chainlink is the product of a vision led by Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis. The project has expanded the capabilities of smart contracts by closing the gap between the blockchain and the real world, allowing decentralized applications (DApps) to become much more complex and powerful. The LINK token is also an indispensable part of this ecosystem.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)You can find the most frequently asked questions and answers about Chainlink below:What is Chainlink and how does it work?: Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network that allows smart contracts on the blockchain to securely access external data. Data from different sources is verified by Chainlink nodes and transferred to the chain.What does LINK token do?: LINK token is required to pay node operators, ensure network security through staking, and use Chainlink services. It is the basis of the economic incentive system within the network.Why is the Chainlink oracle network important?: Because blockchains cannot access external data sources by nature. Chainlink enables smart contracts to interact with the real world by providing this data in a secure and decentralized manner.How does the staking system work?: Node operators stake LINK tokens to prove that they provide accurate and reliable data. If they act incorrectly or maliciously, the tokens they stake can be cut through “slashing”. This mechanism increases network security.Which networks is Chainlink used in?: Although it initially worked on Ethereum, it is now compatible with many blockchain networks such as Arbitrum, Polygon, BNB Chain, Avalanche, Optimism and Solana.What is CCIP and what does it do?: CCIP (Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol) is the Chainlink protocol that enables secure data and token transfer between different blockchains. It aims to standardize inter-chain communication and connect Web3 and traditional financial systems.Don't forget to check out our JR Kripto Guide series to closely follow projects that provide data security in Chainlink and Web3!
What is Arbitrum (ARB)?
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency and the largest altcoin, is an excellent platform for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. However, as its popularity has grown, it has begun to face serious scalability issues. Network congestion has led to slower transaction speeds and, in particular, exorbitant transaction fees (known as gas fees). This is where Arbitrum, a Layer-2 (Layer-2) solution for Ethereum, comes into play. Today, we will take a closer look at Arbitrum, which offers an innovative solution to a major problem facing the Ethereum ecosystem. Here are the details…Definition and Origin of ArbitrumArbitrum is a technology package designed to improve Ethereum. Essentially, it is a Layer 2 scaling solution for the Ethereum blockchain. Layer 2 solutions are secondary layers designed to reduce the load on the main blockchain (Layer 1, in this case Ethereum). These solutions process a significant portion of transactions outside of Layer 1 and then send the summary or result of these transactions back to the main chain. This approach both increases transaction speed and reduces costs.Arbitrum, one of the leading projects in this Layer 2 space, uses rollup technology to increase transaction speed. The specific type of rollup it uses is called “Optimistic Rollup.” Optimistic Rollups assume that all transactions executed off-chain are initially valid. Transactions are batch-processed and sent to the main Ethereum chain. If a transaction is alleged to have violated rules or contained errors, this can be proven on Layer 1 through a “fraud proof” mechanism. The system is secure as long as there is at least one honest validator, and faulty or fraudulent transactions are penalized. This “honest” approach and appeal process is the key feature that allows Arbitrum to leverage Ethereum's security.You can use Arbitrum chains for the same purposes as Ethereum, such as using Web3 applications and deploying smart contracts. The difference is that your transactions are cheaper and faster. Its main product, Arbitrum Rollup, is an Optimistic Rollup protocol that offers the same security as Ethereum. Arbitrum provides nearly 100% compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM/the environment where Ethereum smart contracts are executed). By making it easy to use existing Ethereum tools, developers can seamlessly migrate existing smart contracts without rewriting their code. Additionally, any EVM-compatible language like Solidity or Vyper works out of the box on Arbitrum, encouraging developer adoption. Technology updates like Arbitrum Nitro ensure high compatibility by compiling the core code of Ethereum's popular go-ethereum (“Geth”) client.Arbitrum was developed by Offchain Labs, a startup founded in 2018 by three computer scientists from Princeton University. These founders are Ed Felten, Steven Goldfeder, and Harry Kalodner. So, when was Arbitrum launched? The Arbitrum mainnet was launched in September 2021. Offchain Labs announced that it had raised $120 million in a Series B funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners alongside the launch of the Arbitrum One mainnet. Arbitrum AnyTrust (Arbitrum Nova) was launched in July 2022. Arbitrum has gained significant momentum since its launch. For example, in 2023, it surpassed Ethereum in daily transaction volume. As a result, Arbitrum has established itself as a key player among EVM-compatible layer 2 solutions.Arbitrum's History: Important MilestonesArbitrum's journey began with a vision to solve Ethereum's scalability issues. Let's take a look at the most important milestones of this journey. It all started with the founding of a company called Offchain Labs. This company became the original developer of Arbitrum technology. After years of research and development, Arbitrum took its first major step.2021: Arbitrum One mainnet launchOn September 1, 2021, Offchain Labs announced the official launch of the highly anticipated Arbitrum One mainnet. This launch propelled Arbitrum One into a leading position in the Layer 2 world. Arbitrum One is an Optimistic Rollup chain that implements the Arbitrum Rollup protocol and connects to the Ethereum main chain. At the time of the launch, it was noted that over 400 dApps, including leading DeFi protocols such as Aave, Balancer, Curve, SushiSwap, and Uniswap, would use or plan to use Arbitrum.2022: Introduction of the Arbitrum Nova networkIn August 2022, a new chain called Arbitrum Nova was announced, with the mainnet launch taking place in July 2022. Unlike Arbitrum One, Arbitrum Nova uses AnyTrust technology. AnyTrust aims to further reduce costs by introducing an additional trust assumption (Data Availability Committee - DAC). This makes it particularly suitable for applications requiring high transaction volumes and ultra-low costs. The project states that Nova's primary function is to support high-performance dApps, particularly those focused on gaming. While Arbitrum One offers purer reliability, Arbitrum Nova is optimized for scenarios seeking performance and affordability. DAC members include organizations such as ConsenSys, QuickNode, P2P.org, Offchain Labs, Google Cloud, and OpenSea. This distinction forms the fundamental difference between Arbitrum One and Nova. You can also see the difference between Arbitrum One and Nova in the table below:FeatureArbitrum OneArbitrum NovaTPS20 times more than EthereumUp to 40,000 TPSDecentralizationBroad level of network decentralizationReduced decentralization due to off-chain applicationsStablecoin SupportYes (more than 20 supported)Yes (limited to USDC, USDT, and DAI)Application FitDeFi and DApps requiring EVM supportFocused on gaming, NFTs, and social projectsTransaction SpeedInstant transaction finalityInstant finality (faster than Arbitrum One)ArchitectureOptimistic RollupLayer 2 with AnyTrust ProtocolEVM SupportYesYesEcosystem DevelopmentMore widely adopted and visible among dAppsSteady, balanced growthMarch 2023: ARB token airdrop and the creation of Arbitrum DAO2023 was a pivotal year for the Arbitrum ecosystem. On March 23, 2023, Arbitrum launched ARB, the answer to the question “What is ARB token?” The ARB token marked the beginning of decentralized governance for the Arbitrum protocol. Arbitrum users who met certain criteria were eligible to receive 1,162,000,000 ARB tokens, representing 12.75% of the total token supply, through an airdrop. This airdrop was conducted to reward early adopters and supporters of the network and to promote decentralization. The airdrop distribution can be viewed in the table below:Initial Allocation PercentageNumber of TokensAllocated To35.28%3.528 billionArbitrum DAO Treasury26.94%2.694 billionTeam and Contributors + Advisors17.53%1.753 billionInvestors11.62%1.162 billionArbitrum Platform Users (airdrop to user wallets)7.5%750 millionArbitrum Foundation1.13%113 millionDAOs building on Arbitrum (airdrop to DAO treasuries)Although the airdrop caused some issues such as temporary congestion and high fees on the token claim website, it signified a major change in Arbitrum's governance model. Following this busy day in 2023, Arbitrum surpassed Ethereum in terms of transaction volume. Along with the ARB airdrop, Arbitrum DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) was established. The creation of Arbitrum DAO enabled users to influence the network's fundamental decisions through the ARB governance token. The DAO's votes gained the power to directly influence on-chain actions without intermediaries. ARB holders can vote on issues such as protocol changes, proposals, and incentives. Additionally, the DAO elects a 12-member Security Council that can intervene in emergency situations.2024: TVL surpasses billions of dollars in the ecosystem, with hundreds of dApp integrationsSince the launch of the Arbitrum One mainnet, the Arbitrum ecosystem has experienced meteoric growth. While the number of unique addresses has grown exponentially, over 400 Arbitrum dApps have emerged, with most of them in the DeFi space. The Arbitrum ecosystem and some dApps. Source: Arbitrum Insider In addition, many projects are competing for users, developers, and TVL in the Ethereum Layer 2 landscape. Arbitrum leads the way in this area, along with other rollup-based Layer 2s such as Optimism. Data shows that Arbitrum is popular in terms of TVL as of May 2025. According to DeFiLlama, Arbitrum's TVL value is currently around $2.25 billion. Optimism is reported to be a close second with a TVL of $408 million and over 117 active protocols. This competition is driving the development of Layer 2 technologies. The Arbitrum vs. Optimism debate typically revolves around the types of rollups they use (Optimistic vs. Zk-Rollups) and data availability mechanisms (full data in Arbitrum One, DAC in Nova). However, it is emphasized that both platforms play a significant role in Ethereum scaling. TVL on Arbitrum. Source: DeFiLlama Why is Arbitrum valuable?So, with so many blockchains and Layer 2 solutions on the market, what makes Arbitrum special and valuable? Why do so many users and developers prefer Arbitrum?High-speed transactionsFirst and foremost, Arbitrum offers lower costs and high transaction speeds while leveraging Ethereum's security. Without compromising Ethereum's robust and proven security, it offloads most transactions off-chain, reducing the load on the Ethereum mainnet. This significantly lowers gas fees and increases transaction throughput (the number of transactions processed per unit of time). Batching transactions and storing transaction data in compressed form form the foundation of cost savings. Users experience fast transaction confirmations at much lower fees compared to Ethereum. Additionally, the Arbitrum bridge enables the transfer of assets in a decentralized and reliable manner.EVM compatibilityThe second key point is that Arbitrum is 100% compatible with EVM, making it easier for developers to transition. Moreover, this is not just “almost” compatibility but bytecode-level compatibility. This makes it extremely easy for developers to migrate their dApps to Arbitrum using existing Ethereum smart contracts and tools (such as Truffle, Hardhat, and Remix) without the need to learn a new language or environment. This seamless integration encourages more projects to join the Arbitrum ecosystem.ARB token usage and priceThirdly, the ARB token is used for protocol governance and DAO decisions. As mentioned earlier, ARB is an ERC-20-based token, which is the answer to the question, “What is Arbitrum's native ARB token?” ARB holders have a say in the project's future through the Arbitrum DAO. Important decisions such as protocol changes, fee adjustments, and ecosystem incentives are determined by ARB holders' votes. This decentralized governance model ensures that the platform is community-driven. Additionally, validator nodes can stake ARB to secure the network and earn rewards. This is just one of the use cases for ARB coin.Meanwhile, the price of the ARB token and its listing on many exchanges are also among the network's strengths. As of May 2025, ARB is trading around $0.30. The coin reached its latest record high of $2.4 on January 12, 2024. It hit its lowest point in April 2025. ARB coin price since launch Strong technical structureFourth, Arbitrum's technological infrastructure is constantly evolving. The Arbitrum Nitro update has improved transaction compression and performance. Nitro is the technology that forms the foundation of chains such as Arbitrum One, Arbitrum Nova, and Arbitrum Sepolia. Nitro deepens Ethereum compatibility with its “Geth-at-the-core” architecture, offering significant improvements such as advanced calldata compression, separate contexts for execution and error proofing, and Ethereum mainchain gas compatibility. Nitro enhances performance and security by compiling local code (optimized for speed) and WASM (optimized for portability and security) separately for execution and proofing. Arbitrum's AnyTrust technology (a variant of Nitro) is also a significant step toward reducing costs using DAC. Innovations like Stylus enable efficient smart contract creation in popular languages such as Rust, C, and C++, opening new horizons for developers.A massive ecosystemFifth, Arbitrum has a vibrant and growing ecosystem. It offers an active ecosystem for DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and social dApps. Arbitrum's innovative framework has made a significant impact across various sectors, including decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and blockchain-based games. Major DeFi platforms like Uniswap, SushiSwap, GMX, and Aave integrate with Arbitrum to provide users with faster and more cost-effective experiences. NFT marketplaces and games also leverage Arbitrum for low fees and fast interactions. These integrations signal success for Arbitrum's DeFi integrations. Additionally, a wide range of use cases, including cross-chain applications, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), enterprise solutions, and even social applications, demonstrate Arbitrum's potential.Timeboost is another valuable feature unique to Arbitrum. This is a change in the transaction ordering policy of the Arbitrum sequencer. Timeboost adds a “time boost” to the existing first-come, first-served policy, allowing a transaction to pay a priority fee.In summary, Arbitrum's value stems from its inheritance of Ethereum's security, the performance and cost advantages it brings with Layer 2 rollup technology, its developer-friendly EVM compatibility, its decentralized governance through the ARB token, its technological advancements such as Nitro, and its vibrant ecosystem. These features make Arbitrum an invaluable solution for the future of the Ethereum ecosystem.Who founded Arbitrum?Behind every successful project is a visionary team, and Arbitrum is no exception. The answer to the question “Who founded Arbitrum?” actually points to a developer firm called Offchain Labs and its three founders rather than a single individual. Arbitrum technology was developed by Offchain Labs. Founded in 2018, Offchain Labs is the “brain trust” behind Arbitrum and specializes in Layer 2 scaling solutions. The company has been dedicated to blockchain research and development for over five years. Offchain Labs founders (from left) Ed Felten, Steven Goldfeder, and Harry Kalodner. Source: Offchain Labs The founding team of Offchain Labs, and therefore Arbitrum, consists of three individuals: Ed Felten, Steven Goldfeder, and Harry Kalodner. All three are computer scientists from Princeton University. They are individuals with both academic and practical depth in the field of blockchain. One of the prominent members of the team is Ed Felten: a professor of computer science at Princeton University and former White House technology advisor. Felten's academic career and role as a technology advisor have brought important scientific and strategic perspectives to the team. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of Offchain Labs. He has shared his optimism about Optimistic Rollups and his role in the development of protocols such as BOLD through blog posts.Steven Goldfeder is the Co-Founder and CEO of Offchain Labs. He holds a PhD from Princeton. Harry Kalodner serves as Co-Founder and CTO (Chief Technology Officer). He is also a PhD candidate at Princeton.This team has a strong foundation in both academic and industrial levels. By combining scientific research with practical engineering, they have pioneered the development of Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum. Offchain Labs continues to innovate and develop products and technologies such as Arbitrum One, Arbitrum Orbit, Stylus, and BOLD. Additionally, they acquired Prysmatic Labs, the creators of Prysm, Ethereum's leading consensus client, in 2022.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Finally, you can find answers to your questions about Arbitrum below:What is Arbitrum and how does it work? What is the Arbitrum coin? Arbitrum is a Layer 2 scaling solution built on top of Ethereum. It processes transactions faster and at lower costs compared to Ethereum. Transactions are first processed on Arbitrum and then batch-transmitted to the Ethereum mainnet.What is the difference between Arbitrum and Ethereum?: Ethereum is a Layer 1 blockchain; Arbitrum is a Layer 2 protocol built on top of it. Arbitrum uses Ethereum's security while offering lower transaction fees and higher speeds.What is the ARB token used for?: ARB is the governance token of the Arbitrum ecosystem. It is used to vote in the Arbitrum DAO, influence developments in the protocol, and make certain governance decisions.Which dApps are integrated with Arbitrum? Arbitrum is integrated with many popular DeFi applications such as Uniswap, GMX, SushiSwap, Aave, and Curve. These dApps can be used on the Arbitrum network with lower transaction costs.How much are transaction fees on Arbitrum? Transaction fees on Arbitrum are significantly lower than on Ethereum. They typically range from a few cents to a few dollars, depending on network congestion and transaction type.How does the Arbitrum DAO work? The Arbitrum DAO is a decentralized governance structure guided by the votes of ARB token holders. The community can propose and vote on issues such as network upgrades, grant programs, and budget allocations.For more information about Arbitrum and Ethereum Layer-2 technologies, don't forget to follow our JR Kripto Guide series!
Nasdaq-Listed Aurora Mobile to Allocate 20 Percent of Assets to Cryptocurrencies
Aurora Mobile, a China-based technology company listed on Nasdaq, is preparing to make a significant investment in cryptocurrencies. According to the new plan approved by the company's board of directors, Aurora will invest up to 20% of its current cash and cash equivalents in crypto assets such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Sui (SUI).The investment decision is positioned as part of the company's long-term value creation strategy. In its official statement, Aurora Mobile stated that this move is a "measured step" aimed at both increasing its balance sheet diversity and being a part of financial innovation.What is the aim of this move?In its statement, Aurora Mobile stated that this investment does not only aim to preserve value, but will also support the company's growth strategy and prepare the ground for potential partnerships. The company's post on the X (formerly Twitter) platform included the following statements:"This share allocated to crypto assets puts us at the forefront of financial innovation and unlocks the potential for long-term value creation in the rapidly evolving digital economy."Aurora Mobile’s crypto investment will not affect the company’s core business operations or current growth plans. On the contrary, the alternative earning avenues offered by digital assets will provide the company with an opportunity to diversify its portfolio independent of traditional markets.Aurora Mobile shares riseAurora Mobile CEO and Chairman Weidong Luo also commented on the investment decision, stating that this move will increase portfolio diversity by providing access to a new asset class with low correlation, while also creating a financial strategy more in line with technological developments. According to Luo, this investment is also a strategic step towards modernizing the company’s treasury:“At a time when blockchain and crypto assets are reshaping the global financial infrastructure, we see this investment as not only a financial but also a technological positioning.”Following Aurora’s statements, there was movement in the company’s shares traded on Nasdaq. Aurora Mobile shares rose by 4.78 percent to $11.01 on Tuesday, the day the announcement was made. The company’s total market value is $66.9 million. Institutional interest in cryptocurrencies at its peakAurora Mobile’s decision is a new example of the recent trend of increasing institutional crypto investments. Leading assets such as BTC and ETH are solidifying their place in institutional portfolios as long-term value storage instruments. On the other hand, highly scalable projects such as Solana and SUI continue to attract investor interest. Aurora Mobile also took its place among the companies investing in cryptocurrency.The company also announced that it has repurchased 295,179 American Depository Shares (ADS) in the past period.
What is Near Protocol (NEAR)?
If you are interested in the world of Web3, the potential of developing or using decentralized applications (dApps) appeals to you, or you are simply looking for answers to questions such as “What is Near?” and “What is the Near Protocol?”, you have come to the right place. NEAR is a user-friendly, high-performance platform designed to overcome the fundamental challenges faced by blockchain technology. Let's dive into the depths of this exciting project together.Definition and Origin of NEARSo, what is NEAR, and what sets it apart from others? The NEAR Protocol is, in its simplest terms, a Layer-1 (Layer-1) blockchain platform that enables developers to create dapps. The term “Layer-1” means that NEAR has its own independent blockchain, meaning it is not dependent on other networks or protocols built on top of it. Like Ethereum, NEAR functions as a base layer that can execute smart contracts and thus host a wide range of decentralized application types. However, there are, of course, fundamental differences between NEAR and Ethereum. Before diving into the technical details, we can take a look at the differences between the two largest smart contract platforms in the table below.FeatureEthereumNEAR ProtocolConsensusProof of StakeSharded Proof of Stake (Nightshade)TPS~15–30~100,000 (with sharding)Block Time~12 seconds~1 secondTransaction FeeHighLow (~0.01 NEAR)Smart ContractSolidityRust & AssemblyScriptEVM CompatibilityDirect EVMEVM-compatible via AuroraNEAR's primary goal is to make blockchain technology accessible to a much wider audience. While decentralized systems provide transparency and efficiency in many industries, existing blockchains often face challenges such as scalability, high transaction fees, and complex user interfaces. The NEAR Protocol aims to remove the barriers to the widespread adoption of blockchain technology by addressing these issues with a user-friendly and scalable approach.There are two critical components that form the technical foundation of NEAR: the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism and the Nightshade sharding technology, which enables high scalability. The Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism requires validators to stake a certain amount of NEAR tokens to ensure network security. This method is much more energy-efficient than energy-intensive systems such as Proof-of-Work (PoW) and encourages network participants to maintain the security and stability of the network.Nightshade sharding technology is at the heart of NEAR's scalability strategy. Sharding is the technique of dividing a blockchain network into smaller pieces (shards), each of which can process a portion of the transactions in parallel. This enables the network to process thousands of transactions per second (TPS), solves the congestion issues faced by many existing blockchains, and provides a foundation for applications that can handle high transaction volumes. Nightshade's unique approach divides both the state and processing into shards. Updates like Nightshade 2.0 introduce stateless validation, eliminating the need for validators to store the state of all shards locally and enhancing scalability. NEAR TPS chart. Source: Nearblocks NEAR's core vision is to provide a Web3 infrastructure that is as easy to use as Web2. Supporting familiar programming languages (such as JavaScript and Rust) for developers, providing comprehensive SDKs (Software Development Kits) and tools, simplifies the dApp creation process. For users, the ability to use human-readable account names instead of complex alphanumeric addresses makes the blockchain experience more intuitive and user-friendly. These features are critical to the widespread adoption of blockchain technology.The story of the NEAR Protocol begins in 2018 when it was founded. The project, founded by Illia Polosukhin and Alexander Skidanov, initially started as an artificial intelligence (AI) initiative that pioneered program synthesis. However, upon realizing that existing blockchains were insufficient as payment systems, they decided to build their own blockchain. This decision marked the birth of a vision to create scalable decentralized applications that would offer developers an easy path forward. The project's mainnet launch in 2020 was a significant step toward realizing this vision. Following the mainnet launch, it became fully community-operated in September 2020 and passed a vote enabling token transfers in October 2020. We can examine the protocol's timeline in more detail in the next section.NEAR's History: Key MilestonesNEAR coin's history is filled with important milestones that show how its vision was gradually realized. The launch process for NEAR began in 2017 with the establishment of Near.ai. The mainnet launch took place in 2020, with the founders spending three years preparing for it. Following the mainnet's activation, the project experienced a surge in growth. The timeline of events is as follows:2017: The Beginning with Near.AI - It all started when Illia Polosukhin and Alexander Skidanov founded NEAR.ai to research program synthesis under the slogan “Singularity is NEAR!” They tried to pay workers through Ethereum but quickly realized that this platform was not suitable for this task.2018: Development of the NEAR Protocol Begins - Seeing the limitations of existing blockchains, the founders decided to build their own blockchain, the NEAR Protocol. This marked the beginning of their vision to provide developers with the ability to create easily scalable dApps. The NEAR Foundation was also established in 2019 as a non-profit organization to support the growth of NEAR's ecosystem and protocol development.2020: Mainnet Launch - In April 2020, the NEAR mainnet went live, and by September 2020, it was fully community-operated. In October 2020, a vote was held to enable token transfers, which passed. This was a critical moment as NEAR began operating as an independent blockchain.2021: Achieved Ethereum Compatibility with Near Rainbow Bridge - Interoperability between blockchain ecosystems is critical to the future of Web3. NEAR introduced Rainbow Bridge to address this need. This bridge enables seamless transfer of ERC-20 assets between the Ethereum and NEAR networks. Rainbow Bridge creates a seamless bridge between ecosystems by enabling the movement of assets and data between different blockchains. NEAR describes Rainbow Bridge as “trustless” and “permissionless,” meaning it operates without the need for intermediaries or permissions. As a result, not only ETH but also popular tokens built on the Ethereum protocol, such as USDT, DAI, WBTC, and WETH, can interact with the NEAR network.2022: Aurora (EVM-Compatible Layer) Integration - NEAR's second major step toward Ethereum compatibility was Aurora. Aurora is an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility layer built on top of the NEAR Protocol. This allows Ethereum developers to run their existing Solidity smart contracts on NEAR's scalable infrastructure. Thanks to Aurora, developers can migrate their Ethereum projects to NEAR with lower fees and faster transactions, or use familiar Ethereum tools while benefiting from NEAR's advantages. This integration strengthened NEAR's position in the Web3 ecosystem, enabling it to appeal to the Ethereum community while growing its own ecosystem. In 2022, NEAR raised a total of $500 million in two funding rounds to further support its ecosystem.2023–2024: Blockchain Operating System (BOS) Vision Unveiled - The latest and perhaps most ambitious step in NEAR's evolution was its positioning as a Blockchain Operating System (BOS). Announced in March 2023, BOS is the industry's first example of a common layer for browsing and discovering Open Web experiences, compatible with any blockchain. So, what is NEAR BOS? BOS aims to make NEAR the entry point to the Open Web for both users and developers. It makes accessing and navigating Web3 and Web2 easier than ever before. NEAR.org was the first step toward this vision as a unified frontend for Web3. It gives users the ability to explore all the possibilities of Web3 in a single seamless experience, while also empowering developers to create interfaces and edit code in a single environment. It allows everyone in the Open Web ecosystem to create their own frontends (such as their own versions of near.org), which can be compatible with any blockchain of their choice. BOS provides a one-time, seamless onboarding experience, eliminating friction points such as creating separate accounts for each experience. The Nightshade 2.0 launch (August 2024) supports progress toward the BOS vision by introducing stateless verification and greater scalability. NEAR demonstrated this growth by reaching over 20 million monthly active users and a total of over 110 million accounts in July 2024.Why is NEAR valuable?There are many features that make the NEAR Protocol valuable and unique.High Performance and Scalability with Nightshade TechnologyOne of NEAR's most notable features is its ability to process thousands of transactions per second (TPS) using Nightshade technology. The Nightshade sharding mechanism enables parallel processing by dividing the network's workload into parts. This ensures that the network remains fast and efficient even during periods of high demand. Sources note that NEAR has the potential to reach up to 100,000 TPS, while also mentioning that the current transaction speed averages 1.3 seconds. The Nightshade 2.0 update further enhanced performance with state-less validation and added capacity for more shards (with a target of 10 shards by the end of 2024). This enables NEAR to support millions of users and high-volume dApps. This high Near TPS value (transactions per second) is a key factor that sets it apart from other Layer-1 blockchains. How Nightshade works compared to other chains. Source: Nightshade: Near Protocol Sharding Design 2.0 Developer-Friendly Environment and ToolsNEAR places great importance on the developer experience. It simplifies the dApp development process by offering developer-friendly tools (Rust, AssemblyScript, etc.). It provides SDKs, comprehensive documentation, and support for popular programming languages such as JavaScript and Rust. Additionally, it offers incentives such as the opportunity for developers to earn a portion of the gas fees from their smart contracts. Thanks to Aurora, EVM compatibility enables Ethereum developers to easily transition to NEAR. These factors position NEAR as an innovative web3 development platform. Online development environments like NEAR Studio also streamline the development process.User-Centricity and Easy AccessAnother key value of NEAR is its focus on user experience. The wallet experience is simple and user-centric. Using simple named addresses (e.g., username.near) instead of traditional, complex blockchain addresses makes transactions much more intuitive. Easy sign-up methods like creating an account with an email or Telegram also simplify user onboarding. The extremely low transaction fees (often less than a penny) and fast transaction speeds make NEAR highly appealing for daily use. The BOS vision also supports this user-centric approach, offering a single entry point to Web3 and easy exploration.Cross-Chain InteroperabilityNEAR prioritizes interaction with other blockchain networks rather than operating as an isolated ecosystem. Integration with multichain structures (Ethereum, Cosmos, Polkadot) enables assets and data from different networks to flow into NEAR and out to other networks. Rainbow Bridge is a key component that enables seamless transfers between Ethereum and NEAR. Aurora EVM enables Ethereum smart contracts to run on NEAR. Projects like Octopus Network facilitate interaction between Substrate-based application chains and NEAR, as well as other IBC (Inter-Blockchain Communication)-enabled chains (such as Cosmos and Polkadot). NEAR also expands its compatibility by adding cross-chain signing capabilities with other chains such as Solana, TON, Stellar, Sui, and Aptos through solutions like Chain Signatures.Environmental SustainabilityNEAR also stands out for its environmental friendliness. Thanks to its PoS consensus mechanism, energy consumption is much lower than PoW systems. NEAR is carbon-neutral certified. Official statements indicate that the energy consumed by NEAR in a year is equivalent to the energy consumed by Bitcoin in just 3 minutes.Proven Security and StabilityNEAR has proven its reliability with 100% uptime and over 3 billion transactions processed in four years. It places great importance on security and stability, conducts regular audits, and follows best practices in smart contract design. The Nightshade PoS mechanism applies a “slashing” feature (partial stake reduction) to deter malicious behavior.NEAR's Function and EcosystemThe NEAR token's features are central to the platform's operation. It is used for staking, paying transaction fees, and governance. Users utilize NEAR tokens to pay transaction fees and deploy smart contracts. Token holders can stake their tokens or delegate them to validators to secure the network, earning rewards in return. The NEAR token is also used to vote on governance decisions related to the platform's future. The token supply is 1.22 billion, and a 5% annual inflation rate is applied to encourage network participation. However, a portion of transaction fees is burned, introducing a deflationary element into the token economy.The NEAR token is trading at $2.37 as of May 2025. The cryptocurrency is well below its all-time high of $20.42, reached on January 17, 2023. However, it has recovered by 300% from its historic low of $0.5 in November 2020.As mentioned earlier, this token serves as a utility token, fulfilling several critical functions. Transaction fees, staking, governance, and storage are some of these functions.As we mentioned earlier, this token serves many critical functions as a utility token. Transaction fees, staking, governance, and storage are some of these functions. So, what is NEAR staking and how does it work? Staking is an integral part of the NEAR Protocol ecosystem and allows users to earn rewards while supporting the security and operations of the network. Staking involves locking NEAR tokens with validators. Validators process and verify transactions on the network. Stakers earn rewards proportional to their contributions.Some of the prominent projects in the NEAR ecosystem include:Ref Finance: One of the most popular DeFi applications on NEAR, offering various DeFi products such as DEX, yield farming, and lending.Burrow: A decentralized liquidity protocol based on the NEAR Protocol, enabling users to borrow and lend assets.Aurora: An EVM layer on NEAR that provides Ethereum compatibility and enables Ethereum-based dApps to migrate to NEAR.Mintbase: A platform for creating and selling NFTs, enabling creators to mint NFTs without technical expertise.Paras: An NFT marketplace focused on digital collectibles and art.Octopus Network: A NEAR-based cross-chain network that supports the launch and operation of application chains (appchains) and provides interoperability with other chains via IBC.These projects contribute to the continuous growth and expansion of the ecosystem by leveraging NEAR's scalable, user-friendly, and developer-focused infrastructure.Who is the Founder of NEAR?So, who is the founder of Near Protocol? NEAR Protocol was founded and developed by a visionary team. The project was founded by Illia Polosukhin and Alexander Skidanov, who laid the foundation for the project. Erik Trautman is also recognized as one of the first founders. Illia Polosukhin and Alexander Skidanov both stand out as individuals with extensive experience in software development and engineering:Illia Polosukhin: Over 10 years of industry experience. Former Google engineer who spent three years at Google, where he became a leading expert in TensorFlow (Google's machine learning framework). He also led the team that built question-answering capabilities for the core Google search. His background in artificial intelligence and scalable systems significantly influenced NEAR's architecture. He also founded Sid Venture Partners, a Ukraine-based venture fund.Alexander Skidanov: He began his career at Microsoft in 2009, then joined MemSQL (now SingleStore) as an Engineer in 2011. At MemSQL, he was responsible for building many core features, including storage, sharding, and durability. His expertise in distributed systems and database management played a key role in the development of NEAR's sharding technology. Skidanov also won a gold medal at the ICPC (International Collegiate Programming Contest) in 2008 and a bronze medal in 2005. He also worked as a research engineer consultant at OpenAI. NEAR founders The founders' shared vision was to create a blockchain platform that solves the scalability and usability challenges that stand in the way of mainstream adoption. The NEAR Foundation was established to support the growth of the NEAR ecosystem and the development of the protocol. Backed by a team guided by a scientific, technical, and user-centric vision, NEAR continues to develop the protocol, SDKs, and APIs. Part of the core team is now known as Pagoda, which describes itself as the world's first Web3 startup platform. The team behind the NEAR Protocol seems to have a great passion for popularizing blockchain technology and turning the Open Web vision into reality.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Below, you can find some of the most frequently asked questions about NEAR and their answers:What is the NEAR Protocol and how does it work?: The NEAR Protocol is a Layer 1 blockchain designed to develop decentralized applications (dApps) with a focus on scalability, usability, and environmental friendliness. It aims to be an entry point for the Open Web, making it easier for users and developers to access and navigate Web3 and Web2. NEAR's operation is based on various technological solutions, including Nightshade Sharding, Proof-of-Stake consensus, Rainbow Bridge, and Aurora.What can be done with NEAR tokens? NEAR tokens are the native cryptocurrency of the NEAR ecosystem and play an important role in the platform's operation. So, what is Near coin used for? NEAR tokens can be used to pay transaction fees, stake and earn rewards, distribute smart contracts, participate in governance, and transfer and interact with assets.What sets NEAR apart from other blockchains?: NEAR distinguishes itself from other blockchains based on several factors. First, NEAR is known for its ability to manage high transaction volumes and scalability more effectively thanks to its Nightshade sharding mechanism. Additionally, its low transaction fees are a critical factor. Its developer-friendly environment, carbon-neutral certification, interoperability with other networks, and fast transaction speed also set NEAR apart from other blockchains.How to use the NEAR Wallet: NEAR Wallet (wallet.near.org) has discontinued new wallet creation and management functions as of 2023. However, assets remain secure for existing users, and it is possible to transfer your accounts to a new wallet. There are many wallet applications that support NEAR. For example, MyNearWallet, NEAR Mobile, and Meteor Wallet are recommended by the Near Foundation.Which programming languages does NEAR support? NEAR supports the creation and development of smart contracts in Rust and JavaScript, as well as the use of developer tools (SDKs). Additionally, Aurora EVM enables existing Solidity smart contracts to run on the NEAR blockchain for developers.Is the NEAR network secure? According to the project's own statement, NEAR was designed to be secure. What ensures its security? Near's PoS consensus, slashing, Nightshade Sharding, and validator selection systems are said to contribute to the network's security.
