What Is Cronos (CRO) and How Does the Network Work?

What Is Cronos (CRO)?

Cronos is a blockchain ecosystem built around the CRO token. It includes the Cronos POS Chain and Cronos EVM, among other parts.

The Cronos POS Chain is focused on transactions, staking, and other network functions. Cronos EVM is an EVM-compatible blockchain where developers can build smart contracts and decentralized applications.

CRO is the native token that plays an important role within these networks. On Cronos EVM, CRO is used, for example, to pay transaction fees. On the Cronos POS Chain, CRO is used, among other things, for transactions and staking.

The token’s ticker is CRO.

One important thing to know is that CRO can exist on different networks. There is native CRO on the Cronos POS Chain, CRO on Cronos EVM, and ERC-20 CRO on Ethereum.

In all cases, it is CRO, but the network and technical form are different. That matters especially when you send, receive, or use CRO for staking. You need to check which network and which type of CRO are supported.

Key Takeaways

• Cronos is a blockchain ecosystem with the CRO token as its network token.
• Cronos EVM supports smart contracts and decentralized applications.
• CRO is used for gas, transaction fees, and staking on the Cronos POS Chain.
• Cronos EVM uses a permissioned Proof-of-Authority model.
• Pay close attention to which network you use, because CRO on different chains does not always work the same way.

How Does Cronos Work?

Cronos EVM is EVM-compatible. That means it can work with the Ethereum Virtual Machine, the environment where Ethereum smart contracts run.

Developers who already work with Solidity and familiar Ethereum tools can therefore use much of that knowledge on Cronos EVM too.

Technically, Cronos EVM is built with the Cosmos SDK and technology from Ethermint. Ethermint makes it possible to use the Ethereum Virtual Machine inside a blockchain built on Cosmos technology. As a result, Cronos EVM combines EVM compatibility with parts of the Cosmos ecosystem.

For consensus, Cronos EVM uses Proof of Authority (PoA). This is a permissioned version of Proof of Stake. That means not just anyone can become a validator. A selected group of validators checks transactions, proposes blocks, and votes on which blocks get added to the blockchain.

For this, Cronos EVM uses CometBFT, the consensus engine that came out of Tendermint. With this Byzantine Fault Tolerant system, validators can reach agreement on new blocks, even if some participants make mistakes or do not function correctly.

Once enough validators have approved a block and the block has been recorded, the network has deterministic finality. That means the block is considered final and does not need several extra blocks first for more certainty.

The Cronos POS Chain and Cronos EVM can also communicate with each other through the Inter-Blockchain Communication Protocol (IBC). IBC is a system that lets compatible blockchains exchange data and tokens with each other.

That allows CRO to be moved from the Cronos POS Chain to Cronos EVM. On the EVM side, the value is made available in a form that can be used within smart contracts and other EVM applications.

Cronos (CRO) Overview

What Role Does CRO Play Within Cronos?

CRO has several functions within the Cronos ecosystem.

On Cronos EVM, CRO is used as the gas token. If you send a token or use a smart contract or application, you pay the network fees with CRO.

On the Cronos POS Chain, CRO also plays a role in staking and consensus. CRO holders can delegate their native CRO to validators. You then delegate your CRO to a validator that helps secure the network, without having to run a validator node yourself.

Validators and delegators can receive staking rewards for this. The size of these rewards is influenced, among other things, by the network’s emission parameters and can be adjusted through governance.

For this form of staking, you need native CRO on the Cronos POS Chain. If you have CRO on another network, such as ERC-20 CRO on Ethereum, it first has to be moved to the correct network version before you can use it for staking on the POS Chain.

This staking on the Cronos POS Chain is separate from the consensus on Cronos EVM. Cronos EVM works with a permissioned Proof-of-Authority model where a selected group of validators produces and confirms blocks.

What Is the Difference Between Cronos and Bitcoin?

Cronos and Bitcoin are both blockchain networks, but they were designed for different purposes.

Cronos EVM is focused on smart contracts and decentralized applications. Developers can build DeFi apps, tokens, and other blockchain software on it, for example.

Bitcoin was originally designed as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. Bitcoin does support programmable conditions through Bitcoin Script, but it does not have the same general smart contract environment as Cronos EVM.

The way both networks create new blocks is also different:

• Cronos EVM uses Proof of Authority: A selected group of validators produces and confirms blocks.

• Bitcoin uses Proof of Work: Miners use computing power to produce valid blocks and secure the network that way.

The supply model is different too.

Bitcoin has a maximum supply of about 21 million BTC. New bitcoin enter circulation gradually through block subsidies for miners, and this reward is cut in half about every four years.

CRO originally had a supply of 100 billion tokens. In 2021, 70 billion CRO were burned, which sharply reduced the supply. In 2025, however, the Cronos community agreed to reissue 70 billion CRO for the Cronos Strategic Reserve.

Because of that, the total CRO supply is moving back toward the original 100 billion CRO. The tokens in this strategic reserve are not all released right away, but are subject to a long vesting schedule.

Finally, the function of both tokens is different. CRO is used within the Cronos ecosystem, among other things, for transaction fees and staking. BTC is the native currency of Bitcoin and is used for transactions and paying transaction fees on the Bitcoin network.

How Did Cronos Start?

Cronos came out of the broader Crypto.com ecosystem. Crypto.com started in 2016 under the name Monaco and was founded by, among others, Kris Marszalek, Rafael Melo, Bobby Bao, and Gary Or.

These people are mainly seen as the founders of Monaco and Crypto.com. Cronos itself does not have a separate, clearly identified individual founder.

The Cronos ecosystem was later developed around CRO and different blockchain networks. It uses technology from both the Ethereum and Cosmos ecosystems.

Cronos EVM, for example, is EVM-compatible and built with technology from the Cosmos SDK and Ethermint. Through IBC, the network can also communicate with other compatible blockchains in the Cosmos ecosystem.

Cronos EVM went live on November 8, 2021.

The CRO token existed before the launch of Cronos EVM. The token was originally called Crypto.org Coin. In February 2022, the name was changed to Cronos, while the ticker CRO stayed the same.

What Are the Benefits of Cronos?

Cronos has a number of important features for users and developers:

• EVM compatibility: Developers can use Solidity, Ethereum tools, and existing EVM knowledge to build smart contracts and applications on Cronos EVM.

• Interoperability: Cronos EVM combines EVM compatibility with technology from the Cosmos ecosystem. Through IBC, the network can communicate with other compatible blockchains.

• Fast finality: Cronos EVM uses a Byzantine Fault Tolerant consensus model. Once enough validators have approved a block, it is considered final.

• Delegated staking: Holders of native CRO can delegate CRO to a validator on the Cronos POS Chain and take part in staking without running a validator node themselves.

What Are the Downsides and Risks of Cronos?

Cronos also has a few important things to keep in mind:

• Permissioned validator network on Cronos EVM: Not everyone can just become a block producer. Cronos EVM uses a selected group of validators, which makes the consensus less open than on some permissionless blockchains.

• Changed tokenomics: In 2025, it was decided to reissue 70 billion CRO for the Cronos Strategic Reserve. Because of that, the total supply is moving back toward 100 billion CRO. These tokens are subject to a long vesting schedule and therefore do not all enter circulation right away.

• Multiple versions of CRO: CRO can exist on Ethereum, the Cronos POS Chain, and Cronos EVM, among others. When sending CRO, you therefore need to check carefully which network is being used.

• Cronos zkEVM is being phased out: Cronos zkEVM Alpha is a separate network that is being phased out. Users are being asked to withdraw their funds through the zkEVM Bridge before June 3, 2027. After that date, access to funds may be limited. This does not apply to Cronos EVM or the Cronos POS Chain.

Conclusion

Cronos is a blockchain ecosystem around CRO, including the Cronos POS Chain and Cronos EVM. Cronos EVM is focused on smart contracts and decentralized applications and uses CRO for transaction fees.

One important feature is the combination of EVM compatibility and Cosmos technology. That allows developers to use familiar Ethereum tools while Cronos also supports connections with other IBC-compatible blockchains.

Cronos EVM uses a permissioned Proof-of-Authority model, while native CRO on the Cronos POS Chain can be delegated for staking.

For users, the main thing is to distinguish between the different Cronos networks and versions of CRO. So always check which network is supported when you send, receive, or use CRO for staking.