Buy Cardano (ADA)

Follow the steps below to easily and securely buy Cardano.

You can securely store your Cardano in your Finst wallet. Some cryptocurrencies also support external wallets, allowing you to send your crypto to your own wallet if desired. We use state-of-the-art security measures to keep you and your crypto safe.

We work with Fireblocks, one of the most trusted crypto security infrastructure providers, to safely store your Cardano. They make use of Multi-Party Computation (MPC) technology which is an advanced cryptographic technology used to protect your digital assets.

Additionally, Finst is the first and only Dutch crypto platform that has successfully conducted an extensive Proof of Reserves (PoR) audit. With Finst, your assets are segregated and held on a 1:1 basis, plus reserves.

Yes, at Finst, you can easily buy Cardano with iDEAL. We also support popular payment methods like SEPA and Bancontact.

At Finst, you can start investing in Cardano with as little as €1. For many coins, it is not necessary to buy a whole coin.

Yes, it is safe to buy Cardano through Finst. We are registered as a Crypto Service Provider (no. R189158) with the Dutch Central Bank (DNB), and we are the first and only Dutch crypto platform that successfully obtained a Proof of Reserves (PoR) from an independent and reputable audit firm (Audit Now). At Finst, your assets are segregated and held on a 1:1 basis, plus reserves.

Yes, buying Cardano is legal in Europe. However, we advise you to do your own research before making a purchase.

Investing in cryptocurrencies like Cardano involves risks of losses. You can lose (part of) your deposit. Before you decide to buy Cardano, it is important to understand the risks.

Volatility: The price of Cardano can fluctuate significantly. This means that its value can rise and fall quickly.

No guaranteed profit: Previous price increases do not guarantee future returns. Therefore, only invest money that you can afford to lose.

External factors: The price of Cardano is influenced by external factors, such as economic conditions and the actions of influential individuals, governments, and institutions. These factors can have a positive or negative impact on the price.

When you buy Cardano through Finst, you benefit from the most competitive trading fees of 0,15% per transaction.

Any fees you may encounter when trading crypto are clearly shown for every transaction on our platform.

It's important to note that network fees are outside of our control, as they are determined by the blockchain networks themselves.

This means that while network fees may vary depending on the blockchain and current demand, our trading fee remains consistent, helping you better manage your transaction costs.

No, due to laws and regulations, it is not possible to buy Cardano or other cryptocurrencies anonymously on a regulated crypto platform in Europe.

Yes, you can send your Cardano to an external wallet. With Finst, you can easily send your Cardano to a hardware or a software wallet.

Yes, you can store Cardano (ADA) on hardware wallets such as Ledger or Trezor.

Yes, at Finst, you can stake ADA and earn passive income on your coins while contributing to the security of the network.

Cardano is one of the most popular cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Cardano was designed to be an evolved version of the Ethereum concept. Its blockchain is considered to be a more secure, scalable, and sustainable alternative to other blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Similar to Ethereum, the Cardano blockchain platform uses its own token called ADA.

A little fun fact about Cardano, it’s named after the Italian physician and universal scientist, Girolamo Cardano.

Cardano is a next-generation blockchain that operates on a highly efficient Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism called Ouroboros. Unlike blockchains such as Bitcoin, which operate on the traditional Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism, which consumes a lot of energy, Cardano allows users to stake their ADA coins to help secure the network and earn rewards.

Cardano is built on a layered architecture. This essentially means that it is built in two layers, separating its transaction (the settlement layer) and smart contract (the computation layer) functionalities:

- Cardano Settlement Layer (CSL): Processes ADA transactions quickly and securely.

- Cardano Computation Layer (CCL): Powers smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps), enabling seamless and scalable development.

Cardano continuously evolves through peer-reviewed research and rigorous testing, ensuring high security, scalability, and sustainability. With upgrades like Hydra, which improves transaction speeds, and Project Catalyst, which enables decentralized governance, Cardano is designed to support real-world applications, from finance to supply chain management.

Cardano was founded in 2017 by Charles Hoskinson, a blockchain visionary and one of the original co-founders of Ethereum. Recognizing the limitations of existing blockchain networks, he set out to create a more secure, scalable, and sustainable platform.

In 2015, Hoskinson, alongside Jeremy Wood, co-founded Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK), the research and development company behind Cardano. IOHK, along with The Cardano Foundation and EMURGO, plays a key role in developing and promoting the Cardano ecosystem.

ADA is the native cryptocurrency of the Cardano blockchain, designed to power transactions, secure the network, and support decentralized applications (dApps). ADA plays a central role in the Cardano ecosystem and is named after Ada Lovelace, a 19th-century mathematician and pioneer of computer science.

Given that ADA operates on a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, transactions are faster, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.

Some of the key uses of ADA are:

- Transactions: Send and receive ADA globally with low fees and high security.

- Staking & Rewards: ADA holders can stake their tokens to help validate transactions and earn passive rewards.

- Smart Contracts & dApps: ADA is used to power smart contracts and decentralized applications built on Cardano.

- Governance: Holders can vote on network proposals, shaping the future of Cardano.

Cardano is built with security as a top priority, ensuring that transactions, smart contracts, and user data remain protected. Here’s how Cardano achieves a high level of security:

Proof-of-Stake Consensus Mechanism

Cardano uses a unique Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism called Ouroboros. Unlike traditional Proof-of-Work (PoW) systems, which require large amounts of energy to operate, Ouroboros secures the network using a more efficient and sustainable approach. It also prevents attacks where someone could try to take control of the network.

Peer-Reviewed and Scientifically Tested

Every update to Cardano goes through a rigorous academic review process before being implemented. This means experts analyze and test the technology to ensure it is secure and reliable before it becomes part of the network.

Layered Architecture

Cardano’s blockchain is designed with two separate layers:

- Cardano Settlement Layer: Handles transactions, ensuring they are fast and secure.

- Cardano Computation Layer: Runs smart contracts, keeping them separate from transactions to reduce security risks.

This structure makes it harder for bugs or attacks to affect the entire system.

Smart Contracts

Smart contracts on Cardano use a programming language called Plutus, which allows for formal verification. This is a method used in industries like banking and aerospace to mathematically prove that a system is functioning correctly, reducing the risk of errors or hacks.

Decentralization

Cardano is highly decentralized, meaning control is spread across thousands of independent stake pools. This makes it much harder for any single group to attack or manipulate the network.

Continuous Security Improvements

Cardano is designed to evolve with regular upgrades and security enhancements. The network also includes a treasury system, which funds ongoing development to ensure it remains secure and up to date.

Cardano was launched in 2017 by Charles Hoskinson, one of Ethereum’s co-founders, to build a more secure, scalable, and sustainable blockchain. Cardano was developed using a research-driven, peer-reviewed approach, ensuring a strong scientific foundation.

The project is led by Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK), the Cardano Foundation, and EMURGO, each playing a key role in its development and adoption. Over the years, Cardano has undergone several major upgrades, each adding new capabilities to the network:

- Byron (2017): The initial release of Cardano, introducing the ADA cryptocurrency and a federated blockchain model.

- Shelley (2020): A transition to a decentralized Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, allowing users to stake ADA and participate in network security.

- Goguen (2021): Enabled smart contract functionality, opening the door for decentralized applications (dApps) and DeFi projects.

- Basho (Upcoming): Focuses on scalability and interoperability to enhance Cardano’s transaction capacity.

- Voltaire (Upcoming): Introduces a decentralized governance system, allowing ADA holders to vote on network upgrades and proposals.