Cardano is a decentralized, open-source, and public blockchain platform that utilizes a proof-of-stake consensus algorithm called Ouroboros. It was founded in 2017 by Charles Hoskinson, one of the co-founders of Ethereum.

Cardano's primary focus is on providing a more scalable, secure, and sustainable blockchain platform for the development of decentralized applications (dApps). It aims to achieve this through:

1. Peer-reviewed research: Cardano's development is guided by academic research and peer review.

2. Scalability: Cardano's Ouroboros algorithm allows for faster transaction processing and higher scalability.

3. Security: Cardano's proof-of-stake consensus algorithm is more energy-efficient and less vulnerable to attacks.

4. Sustainability: Cardano's focus on sustainability aims to reduce the environmental impact of blockchain technology.

Cardano's native cryptocurrency is called Ada (ADA), which can be used for:

1. Transaction fees

2. Staking (participating in the proof-of-stake consensus algorithm)

3. Governance (voting on proposals for the development and growth of the Cardano ecosystem)

Cardano's development is divided into five eras, each with its own set of goals and objectives:

1. Byron (foundation and setup)

2. Shelley (decentralization and staking)

3. Goguen (smart contracts and decentralized applications)

4. Basho (scaling and performance)

5. Voltaire (governance and treasury system)

Overall, Cardano aims to provide a more advanced and sustainable blockchain platform for the development of decentralized applications and the growth of the blockchain ecosystem.