# Cardano

> Making the world Work Better For All

Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain platform built through peer-reviewed research for decentralized applications and smart contracts.

Cardano provides a blockchain platform for building decentralized applications and smart contracts using a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. The platform uses the Ouroboros protocol to enable network security through staking while maintaining energy efficiency. Multiple independent entities collaborate to advance Cardano through research-driven development and community governance.

- Type: Network
- Sector: Blockchain Platforms
- Status: Active
- Founded: 2015-01-01
- Profile: https://thegrid.id/profiles/cardano

## Products

- [Cardano Blockchain](https://thegrid.id/profiles/cardano): Cardano Blockchain is a proof-of-stake Layer 1 protocol using the Ouroboros consensus mechanism, supporting smart contracts through the EUTXO model and native multi-asset functionality. The system processes transactions through epoch-based slot leadership selection while maintaining decentralized validation across stake pools. (L1, Live, Main Product)

## Assets

- [ADA (ADA)](https://thegrid.id/profiles/cardano): ADA is the native token of the Cardano blockchain. It is used to pay transaction fees, stake for network security and rewards, and participate in governance decisions through Project Catalyst. The network utilizes the Ouroboros proof-of-stake consensus mechanism to enable energy-efficient validation while supporting native multi-asset functionality and smart contracts without requiring token wrapping. (Native)

## Links

- [Main](https://cardano.org)
- [Documentation](https://docs.cardano.org)
- [Whitepaper](https://cardano.org/research)
- [Forum](https://forum.cardano.org)
- [Media Kit/branding](https://cardano.org/brand-assets)
- [Terms of Service](https://cardanofoundation.org/en/terms-and-conditions)
- [Privacy policy](https://cardanofoundation.org/en/privacy)
- [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/cardano)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbQ9vGfezru1YRI1zDCtTGg)
- [Twitter / X](https://x.com/Cardano_CF)
- [Telegram](https://t.me/CardanoAnnouncements)
- [Twitter / X](https://x.com/Cardano)
- [Discord](https://discord.gg/Cardano)
- [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/company/cardano-community)
- [Telegram](https://t.me/Cardano)
- [GitHub](https://github.com/cardano-foundation)

## Relationships

- [IOHK](https://thegrid.id/profiles/iohk): Parent organization
- [EMURGO](https://thegrid.id/profiles/emurgo): Parent organization

## Legal

This data is provided under two licensing models.

Model 1 - open data. The open data core is licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL) — a copyleft/share-alike license allowing free use, modification, and sharing for any purpose. Attribution is required: include "Powered by The Grid" linking to https://thegrid.id wherever the data is used. Derivative databases must be shared under ODbL terms. Trademarks, logos, and brand names (marked "Special TPIP") are not covered by the ODbL. For ML/AI use: training datasets that substantially extract ODbL data are Derivative Databases and must be shared under ODbL if publicly used; models must be attributed in documentation.

Model 2 - commercial licenses. The Grid Data Service (TGDS) is also available as a commercial license. See [Web Services Terms](https://about.thegrid.id/legal/web-services-terms) for commercial use that is not covered by the open data service.

The following applies to both licensing models.
- All data is provided AS IS with no guarantees of accuracy.
- The Grid does not provide investment, legal, or tax advice, and
- a project's presence in The Grid's data does not imply endorsement.


- [Data Licensing & Disclaimers](https://about.thegrid.id/legal/data-licensing-and-disclaimers): Licensing models and disclaimers
- [Open Data (ODbL)](https://about.thegrid.id/legal/open-data): Open Database License terms and scope for The Grid's open data service.
- [Attribution Guidelines](https://about.thegrid.id/legal/open-data-attribution-guidelines): How to attribute The Grid's data when using the open data service.
- [Web Services Terms](https://about.thegrid.id/legal/web-services-terms): commercial Terms for using data services.
- [All Legal Documents](https://about.thegrid.id/legal): Full index of terms, policies, and disclosures

## Optional

- [TGS Field Descriptions](https://github.com/The-Grid-Data/workspace-public/blob/main/references/tgs-field-descriptions.md): Schema field definitions for The Grid's data model
- [TGS JSON Structure](https://github.com/The-Grid-Data/workspace-public/blob/main/references/tgs-json-structure.md): Data model structure and relationships
- [Product Type Definitions](https://github.com/The-Grid-Data/workspace-public/blob/main/references/product-type-definitions.md): Definitions for each product type
- [Product Type Classification](https://github.com/The-Grid-Data/workspace-public/blob/main/references/product-type-classification.md): Guide for classifying products into types
- [Grid MCP Guide](https://github.com/The-Grid-Data/workspace-public/blob/main/grid-search/skills/grid-query/references/grid-mcp-guide.md): How to query The Grid programmatically via MCP