Ethereum is the leading smart contract platform. It allows developers to build decentralised applications (dApps) and enabled the explosion of DeFi, NFTs, and token issuance. Transitioned from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake in 2022.
Solana is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain capable of processing up to 65,000 transactions per second using a novel Proof of History consensus mechanism. It has become a major hub for DeFi, NFTs, and consumer crypto applications.
Cosmos is a network of interconnected blockchains — the Internet of Blockchains. It provides a framework (Cosmos SDK) for building custom blockchains that can communicate via the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. Dozens of major blockchain networks are built with the Cosmos SDK.
Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain platform built on peer-reviewed academic research. Founded by Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson, it takes a methodical, research-first approach to development. Its Ouroboros consensus mechanism was the first provably secure PoS protocol.
Polkadot is a Layer 0 multi-chain network that allows different blockchains to interoperate. Created by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood, it uses a relay chain and parachain architecture letting multiple specialised blockchains run in parallel and communicate securely.
Bitcoin Cash is a fork of Bitcoin that increased the block size to enable more transactions per second and lower fees. It emerged from the 2017 scaling debate and positions itself as the original vision of Bitcoin as peer-to-peer electronic cash.
Proof of Stake (PoS) is a blockchain consensus mechanism where validators are selected to create new blocks based on the amount of cryptocurrency they stake as collateral, rather than through energy-intensive computation. It is significantly more energy-efficient than Proof of Work.