According to Messari’s report, Cardano demonstrated substantial progress in Q3 2023. A standout highlight was the 461% year-to-date increase in stablecoin value. The period also marked the completion of Project Catalyst Fund10 and continued development in the Voltaire governance phase. Messari highlights the launch of Mithril as a significant technological advancement, enhancing node syncing efficiency.

Messari describes Cardano as a Proof-of-Stake Layer-1 smart contract network focused on security, scalability, and sustainability. The report notes that Cardano, supported by entities like IOG and The Cardano Foundation, uses the Ouroboros consensus model and an eUTXO accounting model. Post-Alonzo, the network has expanded into DeFi and NFT markets while maintaining its core focus​​.

The Messari report indicates a decline in ADA’s price and revenue in Q3 2023. However, the treasury balance grew by 7.2% QoQ. Staking yield remained around 3.3%, with real yield slightly higher, considering ADA’s circulating supply-based inflation calculation​​.

Messari reports a decrease in transaction fees in Q3, mainly attributed to ADA’s price action. Daily active addresses and transactions declined, suggesting a concentration of activities among active users. The blockchain’s average load decreased, indicating the potential for increased throughput​​.

As per Messari, the number of stake pools and delegators in Q3 remained stable. Stake distribution was uneven, with a small percentage of pools holding a significant portion of staked ADA. The Nakamoto coefficient stood at 34, reflecting better decentralization than many networks​​.

Messari highlights Mithril’s launch as a key development, aiming to improve network scalability and efficiency. SanchoNet, a testnet for on-chain governance, is another significant development, moving Cardano towards decentralized governance under the Voltaire phase​​.

Despite a slight decline in daily Dapp transactions, Messari notes overall growth in the DeFi sector. The introduction of stablecoins has been pivotal. The TVL’s relative growth and the influx of bridged assets indicate a robust DeFi ecosystem on Cardano​​.

Messari reports on Cardano’s sidechain landscape, including networks like Milkomeda C1 and the upcoming Midnight. Hydra, a scaling protocol, was launched as the first solution, demonstrating Cardano’s commitment to enhancing scalability and efficiency​​.

Messari’s report covers Project Catalyst’s latest funding round, underscoring community engagement in governance. Discussions on improving the governance model are ongoing, with the need for more inclusive models highlighted​​.

Educational initiatives like the IOG Academy and community-run projects are vital for Cardano’s growth, as noted by Messari. These efforts contribute to nurturing the developer ecosystem​​.

Messari’s Q3 2023 report notes significant advancements in interoperability and infrastructure. It also mentions that the DeFi sector, supported by new infrastructure and liquidity sources, is poised for further growth and innovation​​.

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