What is the total supply of Cardano?

Cardano's monetary inflation of 1.98% per epoch (approximately every 5 days) incentivizes staking, with rewards distributed to stake pool operators and delegators, offering an APY of 3-5%.

Feb 18, 2025 at 02:06 am

Key Points

• Total coin supply of Cardano: 45,000,000,000 ADA
• Monetary inflation: 1.98% per epoch (approximately every 5 days)
• Minting schedule: Decreasing block rewards over time
• Staking rewards: 3-5% APY, distributed to stake pool operators and delegators

Article

Total Coin Supply

The total supply of Cardano is 45,000,000,000 ADA. This number was set during the Genesis block and cannot be changed.

Monetary Inflation

Cardano employs a monetary inflation rate of 1.98% per epoch, which is approximately every 5 days. This inflation is necessary to incentivize block production and secure the network through staking.

Minting Schedule

Cardano's minting schedule is designed to gradually reduce block rewards over time. This is achieved by halving the block reward approximately every 4 years. The current block reward is 640,000 ADA, with a new block minted every 20 seconds.

Staking Rewards

Staking is a process of delegating ADA to a stake pool operator (SPO) to contribute to the security of the network. In return for staking, delegators receive a portion of the block rewards distributed by the SPO.

The annual percentage yield (APY) for staking rewards is typically between 3-5%. This reward is split between the SPO and the delegators based on the terms agreed upon when delegating the ADA.

FAQs

Q: Why is the total supply of Cardano so large?
A: The large supply of Cardano is necessary to provide a sufficient level of liquidity and allow for future growth and adoption.

Q: What is the purpose of monetary inflation in Cardano?
A: Monetary inflation in Cardano is primarily used to incentivize network participation through staking and mitigate selling pressure during periods of high volatility.

Q: How long will it take for all Cardano to be mined?
A: With a current circulating supply of approximately 33.9 billion ADA, it is estimated that the remaining supply will be minted over the next 100 years. However, it is important to note that the issuance rate will gradually decrease over time due to the halving events.

Q: Is it profitable to stake Cardano?
A: Staking Cardano can provide a passive income stream with an APY of around 3-5%. The profitability of staking depends on various factors, such as the size of the stake, the SPO chosen, and network conditions.