# Cardano

Symbol: ADA
Consensus: Ouroboros Proof of Stake
TBB Rank: 13
TBB Network Quality: 69.606
Methodology Version: 1.6.0

## Protocol & Architecture
- Taxonomy: layer-1, non-evm, proof-of-stake, smart-contracts
- Native asset: ADA
- TBB collector: cardano
- Primary operator role: Stake Pool Operator
- Access model: permissionless
- Send Time basis: finality_proxy

## Technical Network Data
- Send Time: 120 seconds (basis: finality_proxy)
- Finality: 120 seconds
- Throughput capability: 20 TPS
- Reliability: 99.95%

## Network Activity
- Block / Ledger Height: 13956069 block (stale)
- Observed TPS: N/A (unavailable)
- Transactions · 24h: N/A (unavailable)
- Participants Online: N/A (unavailable)
- Block Cadence Health: N/A (unavailable)

## Participation Intelligence
Participation Intelligence is separate from TBB Network Quality and is not a profitability or investment score.

## Participation Economics
- Primary method: Stake Pool
- Operator role: Stake Pool Operator
- Mineable: No
- Ease of Entry: 75.9 / 100 (grade B)
- Hardware: Server
- Capital barrier: Moderate
- Setup: Advanced
- Energy: low
- Cost model: Server + pledge/pool economics
- Official guide: https://docs.cardano.org/stake-pool-operators/operating-a-stake-pool

## Evidence
- Evidence coverage: 62.5% (Moderate)
- Primary source: https://api.koios.rest/api/v1/tip
- Last update: 2026-09-18 08:29:03

## Market Context
Market data is reference-only and does not affect the TBB Network Quality Score.
- Externally listed: Yes
- Price USD: 0.256751

## Official Resources
- Official website: https://cardano.org
- Cardano stake-pool operations: https://docs.cardano.org/stake-pool-operators/operating-a-stake-pool
- TBB network data source: https://api.koios.rest/api/v1/tip
- Machine JSON: https://thebestblockchain.com/data/networks/cardano.json
- Machine Markdown: https://thebestblockchain.com/blockchains/cardano.md
- Participation guide: https://thebestblockchain.com/participate/cardano
- Compare this network: https://thebestblockchain.com/compare/?chains=cardano
- TBB methodology: https://thebestblockchain.com/methodology/

## Public Machine Links
- JSON: https://thebestblockchain.com/data/networks/cardano.json
- Human profile: https://thebestblockchain.com/blockchains/cardano

## Methodology
https://thebestblockchain.com/methodology/