Beginner Guide

What is Cardano (ADA)?

The science-driven blockchain. Built on peer-reviewed research, Ouroboros Proof-of-Stake, and a methodical roadmap from Byron to Voltaire.

PoS
Ouroboros 합의
3,000+
스테이크 풀
140+
연구 논문
~4.5%
스테이킹 APY
18 min read
2026년 1월 업데이트

Cardano란 무엇인가요?

Cardano is a third-generation blockchain platform that takes a research-first approach to cryptocurrency development. Founded by Charles Hoskinson (Ethereum co-founder) in 2015, Cardano distinguishes itself through peer-reviewed academic research and formal verification methods.

Unlike blockchains that 'move fast and break things,' Cardano prioritizes security and sustainability through rigorous scientific processes. This methodical approach has attracted institutions, governments, and enterprises seeking reliable blockchain infrastructure.

Key Point

Cardano is unique in that it's the first blockchain platform built on peer-reviewed research and developed through evidence-based methods. Every feature is backed by formal academic papers.

Academic Rigor

Built on peer-reviewed research from top universities worldwide

Layered Architecture

Separate settlement and computation layers for flexibility

Global Mission

Focused on providing financial services to the unbanked

The Science Behind Cardano

Cardano's development is backed by IOHK (Input Output Hong Kong), which employs dozens of researchers and partners with universities worldwide including Edinburgh, Tokyo, and Wyoming.

Understanding Epochs

Epoch 0Slot 0/20
Slot Visualization (3 Epochs)
Epoch 0Epoch 1Epoch 2
Total Slots
0/60
Current Epoch
0
Slot Duration
1 sec

Real Values: Each epoch lasts ~5 days (432,000 slots). Each slot is 1 second. Staking rewards are distributed at epoch boundaries.

Time in Cardano is divided into epochs (approximately 5 days) and slots (1 second each). For each slot, a slot leader is selected through a verifiable random function (VRF) to produce the next block. The probability of selection is proportional to the stake controlled.

Ouroboros Proof-of-Stake

1
VRF Lottery
2
Leader Selected
3
Block Created
4
Chain Extended
Pool A
25% stake
Pool B
35% stake
Pool C
20% stake
Pool D
15% stake
Pool E
5% stake
Blockchain
Genesis

Ready to simulate Ouroboros consensus

Ouroboros Versions

1
ClassicOriginal version with honest majority assumption
2
PraosAdded privacy and semi-synchronous network assumptions
3
GenesisEnables secure joining from genesis block
4
LeiosFuture version for massive throughput scaling

Ouroboros Explained

Ouroboros is Cardano's revolutionary Proof-of-Stake consensus protocol. It's the first PoS protocol with mathematically proven security guarantees, published and peer-reviewed at crypto conferences.

Research-First Development

  • 140+ peer-reviewed papers published
  • Collaborations with top universities
  • Formal verification of code

Development Partners

  • IOHK - Engineering & research
  • Emurgo - Commercial adoption
  • Cardano Foundation - Standards & governance

Formal Methods

"Cardano uses Haskell, a functional programming language known for its mathematical precision. This allows formal verification - mathematically proving that code behaves as intended."

ADA Token Utility

ADA is the native cryptocurrency of the Cardano network, named after Ada Lovelace, the 19th-century mathematician considered the first computer programmer.

The Five Eras of Cardano

Goguen

2021-2023

In Progress

Smart contracts era - Enabled DeFi, NFTs, and dApps

Plutus smart contracts
Native tokens & NFTs
DApp ecosystem growth

Staking on Cardano

Cardano staking is unique because it requires no lockup period. Your ADA remains liquid and in your wallet while delegated to a stake pool.

ADA Token Distribution

45B
Max Supply
Public ICO
25.9B ADA57.6%
IOHK
5.2B ADA11.5%
Emurgo
5.2B ADA11.5%
Cardano Foundation
2.9B ADA6.4%
Staking Rewards Reserve
5.9B ADA13%

Note: Unlike Bitcoin, ADA has a maximum supply of 45 billion tokens. The remaining ~10B ADA will be distributed as staking rewards over time.

Supply Metrics

Max Supply45,000,000,000 ADA
Circulating~35,000,000,000 ADA
Staked~70%

ADA Units

1 ADA1,000,000 Lovelace
1 Lovelace0.000001 ADA

Named after Ada Lovelace, the smallest unit of ADA

Cardano vs Competitors

Feature
Cardano
E
Ethereum
S
Solana
ConsensusOuroboros PoSPoS (Casper)PoH + PoS
TPS (Layer 1)~250~30~65,000
Block Time20 sec12 sec0.4 sec
Transaction Fee~$0.20~$1-50~$0.00025
Smart ContractsPlutus (Haskell)SolidityRust
Staking MinNo minimum32 ETHNo minimum
Launch Year201720152020
Max Supply45B ADAUnlimited*Unlimited*
* Ethereum and Solana have inflationary supply models but include token burning mechanisms.

Cardano Roadmap

Cardano's development is divided into five eras, each named after notable figures in computer science and mathematics. This structured approach ensures sustainable, well-tested upgrades.

ADA Staking Rewards Calculator

100100,000
2%7%
1 month5 years
Per Epoch (~5 days)
6.16 ADA
Monthly Rewards
37.50 ADA
Epochs in Period
73
Total Rewards
450.00 ADA
Final ADA Value
10,450 ADA
+4.50% growth
* Estimates based on current network parameters. Actual rewards may vary.

Staking Benefits

  • No minimum amount required
  • No lockup period - spend anytime
  • Automatic compounding rewards
  • No slashing risk

Choosing a Stake Pool

  • Check pool saturation (<100%)
  • Review pool margin fees (0-5%)
  • Look at historical performance
  • Consider pool pledge amount

생태계 & DeFi

Goguen 시대가 스마트 계약을 도입한 이후 Cardano의 생태계는 DEX, 대출 프로토콜, NFT 마켓플레이스 등을 포함하도록 성장했습니다.

Plutus 플랫폼

  • Haskell 기반 - 강력한 타입 안전성
  • eUTXO 모델 - 예측 가능한 수수료
  • 형식 검증 지원
  • 스마트 계약 없는 네이티브 토큰

DApp 생태계

  • DEXs: SundaeSwap, Minswap, MuesliSwap
  • NFT Marketplaces: JPG Store, CNFT.io
  • 대출: Liqwid Finance, Lenfi
  • 스테이블코인: Djed, iUSD

확장된 UTXO 모델

Ethereum의 계정 기반 모델과 달리 Cardano는 확장된 UTXO (eUTXO) 모델을 사용합니다. 이는 결정론적 거래 수수료, 병렬 처리 기능 및 스마트 계약에 대한 향상된 보안을 제공합니다.

ADA 구매 방법

장점

  • 동료 검토를 거친 과학적으로 엄격한 개발
  • 에너지 효율적인 지분 증명 합의
  • 최소 스테이킹 없음, 잠금 없음, 슬래싱 없음
  • 예측 가능한 거래 수수료 (eUTXO)
  • 스마트 계약 수수료 없는 네이티브 토큰
  • 강력한 거버넌스 로드맵 (Voltaire)

단점

  • 경쟁사보다 느린 개발 속도
  • Ethereum보다 작은 DeFi 생태계
  • 개발자를 위한 Haskell/Plutus 학습 곡선
  • 일부 경쟁사보다 낮은 Layer 1 TPS
  • 일부 사용 사례에 대한 eUTXO 모델 복잡성
  • Ethereum보다 적은 기관 채택

장단점

ADA는 거의 모든 주요 거래소에 상장된 가장 널리 사용 가능한 암호화폐 중 하나입니다. 시작하는 방법은 다음과 같습니다:

1

거래소 선택하기

ADA를 상장한 Binance, Coinbase 또는 Kraken과 같은 평판이 좋은 거래소를 선택하세요

2

계정 생성 및 인증

신분증으로 가입하고 KYC 인증을 완료하세요

3

자금 입금

은행 송금, 신용카드 또는 암호화폐 입금을 통해 자금을 추가하세요

4

ADA 구매하기

ADA/USDT 또는 ADA/USD를 검색하고 구매 주문을 하세요

5

스테이킹 또는 보관

Daedalus/Yoroi 지갑으로 전송하고 보상을 위해 스테이크 풀에 위임하세요

추천 지갑

Daedalus

풀 노드 지갑 - 가장 안전하며 전체 블록체인을 동기화합니다

Yoroi

라이트 지갑 - 브라우저 확장 프로그램, 모바일 앱

Key Takeaways

Cardano takes a research-first approach with 100+ peer-reviewed papers backing its development
Ouroboros is the first provably secure Proof-of-Stake consensus protocol
Staking is liquid with no lockup - earn ~4-5% APY while keeping your ADA accessible
The five-era roadmap (Byron to Voltaire) ensures methodical, sustainable development
Full decentralized governance through Project Catalyst and on-chain voting
최대 공급량 45B, 약 4-5% 스테이킹 보상

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