What is Cardano
Cardano (ADA) is a blockchain platform launched in 2017 under the leadership of Charles Hoskinson, one of Ethereum’s co-founders. What sets Cardano apart is its scientific approach: key protocol decisions are first described in peer-reviewed research papers and only then implemented. The ADA coin is named after Ada Lovelace, regarded as the first programmer in history.
Cardano runs on the Ouroboros proof-of-stake algorithm. Instead of miners, blocks are produced by stake pool operators to whom ADA holders delegate their coins. Since 2021 Cardano has supported smart contracts, and the network uses the eUTXO model — an extended version of a Bitcoin-like accounting model. The maximum ADA supply is capped at 45 billion coins.
Key facts
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Ticker | ADA |
| Network at ROVEN exchange | Cardano (mainnet) |
| Address format | Starts with “addr1” (modern addresses) |
| Block time | About 20 seconds |
| Maximum supply | 45 billion ADA |
| Network fee | Paid in ADA, usually small |
| Memo / tag | Not needed |
What Cardano is used for
- Staking. ADA can be delegated to a pool right from your wallet to earn rewards without locking the coins.
- Decentralised applications. DEXs, lending protocols and NFTs run on Cardano.
- Governance. ADA holders vote on protocol changes and treasury spending.
- Investment. ADA is among the larger cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation.
How to exchange Cardano at ROVEN exchange
- Choose a direction, for example ADA → USDT TRC20 or USDT TRC20 → ADA, and enter the amount.
- If you’re receiving ADA, enter a Cardano wallet address starting with “addr1”.
- Create the order — the rate is locked for 30 minutes — and send the exact amount to the address in the order.
- Cardano produces a block roughly every 20 seconds, so a swap usually takes a few minutes.
What to watch out for
- Use modern “addr1” addresses. Older Byron-era addresses aren’t supported by every service.
- Cardano addresses are long — check both the beginning and the end after pasting.
- Staked ADA stays at your address and remains spendable — delegation doesn’t lock the coins.
- Don’t confuse ADA with tokens issued on Cardano: different assets can sit at the same address.
Staking ADA without locking
A distinctive feature of Cardano is liquid staking at the protocol level. You choose a pool in your wallet and delegate your ADA to it, but the coins never leave your address and aren’t frozen. You can send or swap them at any time, and rewards are paid every five days at the end of each epoch. Delegation requires a small refundable deposit in ADA.
How to store Cardano
Popular ADA wallets include Yoroi, Eternl and Lace, as well as the Ledger and Trezor hardware wallets. Many of them let you delegate ADA right from the interface. A Cardano seed phrase usually has 15 or 24 words — keep it offline and never enter it on websites.
Frequently asked questions
Does Cardano need a memo?
No. At ROVEN exchange, ADA doesn’t use a memo: every recipient has their own address.
Can I swap staked ADA?
Yes. Delegated coins stay at your address and can be sent to the order address as usual.
How long does an ADA transfer take?
A transaction usually lands in a block within a minute. The whole swap, including the operator’s check, takes a few minutes.