Algorand is a cryptocurrency that uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. Launched in 2019, Algorand was initially developed by Algorand Inc., a company founded by Silvio Micali. Micali is a computer science professor at the prestigious MIT university and is a recipient of both the Turing Award and the G?del Prize.
Key Algorand Features:
- A blockchain platform based on pure proof-of-stake (PPoS)
- Permissionless network where anyone can participate in the consensus process
- Fast transactions with immediate finality
- Supports custom assets and smart contracts
Algorand’s consensus protocol is called pure proof-of-stake (PPoS). In Algorand, the process of staking is not delegated, and each user receives a reward proportional to their stake when a new block is added to the Algorand blockchain. Each holder of ALGO can participate in the blockchain’s consensus process. The protocol’s design is also geared towards preventing hard forks.
ALGO can be used in a manner similar to Bitcoin, for simple peer-to-peer value transfers. Transactions are completed in a matter of seconds and transactions achieve finality as soon as they are included in a block.
However, the Algorand blockchain also allows users to create custom assets, opening up the possibility for using Algorand to tokenize real-world assets or issue tokenized securities. The tokens that can be created on Algorand are referred to as Algorand Standard Assets (ASAs).
The Algorand protocol also supports smart contracts written in a programming language called TEAL (Transaction Execution Approval Language). The smart contracts operate on Algorand’s first layer, improving efficiency.
Atomic swaps are another feature supported by the Algorand protocol, and it makes it possible for different assets to be transferred between multiple parties simultaneously.
Despite being a relatively new crypto asset, ALGO has already been listed on many of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges including Binance, Coinbase Pro, Kraken and Bitfinex.
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