Ethereum is a decentralized platform that runs smart contracts: applications that run exactly as programmed without any possibility of fraud or third party interference.
xDai is a digital currency that is pegged to the value of the Dai, a stablecoin that is soft-pegged to the US Dollar. xDai is built on Ethereum and uses the same blockchain infrastructure as Ethereum.
xDai is an ERC20 token, which means it can be stored in any Ethereum-compatible wallet.
NOTE: WARNING: xDai is built on top of Ethereum, but it is a separate chain with its own distinct characteristics. Investing in xDai may involve different risks than investing in Ethereum. Before investing, please do your own thorough research and consult a financial advisor.
The main difference between xDai and Ethereum is that xDai uses a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus algorithm, while Ethereum uses a Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus algorithm. PoS is more energy efficient than PoW and allows for faster transaction speeds.
xDai also has a lower transaction fee than Ethereum.
xDai is built on the same blockchain infrastructure as Ethereum and uses the same smart contract functionality. However, xDai has some advantages over Ethereum, including faster transaction speeds and lower transaction fees.
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Cosmos is a decentralized network of independent blockchains, each powered by BFT consensus algorithms like Tendermint. Cosmos Hub is the first blockchain in the network and functions as the central relay point — like a decentralized clearing house — for all other connected blockchains. The native token of the Cosmos Hub, ATOM, is used to reward validators for staking and securing the network.
In 2015, a 19-year-old Russian-Canadian programmer named Vitalik Buterin published a white paper describing Ethereum, a decentralized platform that would use blockchain technology to enable anyone to build and run decentralized applications. The vision was to create a “World Computer” that would be more resilient and democratized than the centralized servers that power the internet today. Since its launch in 2015, Ethereum has grown to become the second largest blockchain platform by market capitalization, with a community of developers building thousands of decentralized applications on its network.