Cardano Gears Up to Catch Ethereum as it deploys 1K Smart Contracts in 2023

Cardano could be closing in on its pursuit of Ethereum as its revvs up smart contract deployment.

Two mechanics fixing a cardano space racer.
Created by Gabor Kovacs from DailyCoin
  • Cardano has seen significant growth this year. 
  • The network is gearing up to surpass its competitors. 
  • Cardano has leveled up development on its network. 
  • Would Cardano be able to surpass Ethereum? 

Given the recent rise in network issues on Ethereum and Bitcoin, including congestion and high fees, users and projects are looking for viable alternatives. Cardano has emerged as a solid option, given its strong start to the year. 

Cardanoโ€™s development team is all hands on deck as it expands the network and enhances its capabilities to catch up to its competitors. This year, the Proof-of-Stake (POS) chain has introduced a flurry of solutions, protocols, and new smart contracts, solidifying its reputation as a formidable contender and contributor in the DeFi space.ย 

Chasing Competitors

Cardano has long been heralded as an โ€œEthereum killerโ€ blockchain, owing to its research-driven approach and invaluable contributions to the crypto sphere. Over the years, the POS chain has successfully attracted developers to build smart contracts on its Plutus platform, allowing it to close in on its pursuit of competitors.

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Development on Cardano has seen significant growth as it steadily gains traction in the DeFi space. Notably, in 2023 alone, the POS chain integrated over 1,000 Plutus V1 smart contracts into its network, showcasing its expansion. 

As of May 18, Cardano hosts 5,776 Plutus V1 scripts, mainly centered around DeFi applications. Conversely, on January 1, the network only hosted 4,718 V1 scripts, according to data from Cardano Blockchain Insights

Cardano Plutus Smart contracts metrics.
Cardano Plutus Smart contracts Metrics. Source Cardano Blockchain Insights.

The substantial increase in smart contracts deployed further reinforces Cardanoโ€™s position as a prominent player in the DeFi space and the 7th largest network by market cap.

Additionally, a report published on December 30 by Santiment, a social metrics platform, highlighted Cardano as the top protocol in terms of development activity, surpassing Polkadot (DOT) and Cosmos (ATOM) as the second and third most active in the development department. Itโ€™s worth noting Ethereum, despite the transition to a POS consensus mechanism, ranked fourth.

Nevertheless, despite Cardanoโ€™s increased development on Plutus and interest in its ecosystem, Ethereum continues to reign supreme. The network welcomed 125,000 smart contracts in a single week. As it stands, the network also has $26 billion total value locked (TVL) in DeFi protocols, compared to Cardanoโ€™s $150 million, according to data from DeFiLlama.

On the Flipside

Why This Matters

While Cardano faces a formidable challenge in surpassing Ethereumโ€™s current dominance, its relentless progress and expansion present a promising future. The crypto community eagerly watches Cardanoโ€™s trajectory and pursuit to dethrone Ethereum. 

Cardano races Bitcoin to the top of DeFi: 

Cardano Struggles to Outpace Bitcoin in DeFi TVL Despite Releasing Hydra 

Read more about Cardano: 

Cardano Lead Researcher Joins the Likes of Einstein and Darwin 

This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

Author
Insha Zia

Insha Zia is a senior journalist at DailyCoin covering crypto developments, especially in the Cardano ecosystem. With a Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems Engineering, he delivers high-quality articles with his technical background and expertise in data analysis and programming languages, aiming to educate and inform readers accurately, transparently, and engagingly. Insha believes education can drive mass adoption of the crypto space, and he is committed to giving DailyCoin readers a better understanding of the technology.

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