Cardano is a "Blockchain 3.0" platform that emphasizes a unique, research-driven approach to development. Its primary goals are to create a more sustainable, scalable, and secure infrastructure for decentralized applications, learning from the challenges of earlier blockchains.
Cardano's main innovation is its novel Proof of Stake (PoS) algorithm called "Ouroboros," which is designed to be highly secure while consuming significantly less energy than traditional Proof of Work systems. Its unique layered architecture separates the "settlement layer" (which handles the value of transactions) from the "computational layer" (which handles the logic of smart contracts). This separation is designed to allow for more scalable and sustainable operations, providing a robust foundation for the next generation of dApps.