Tezos

Tezos is an open-source blockchain platform designed to power the Web3 revolution, focusing on user participation and governance. It uses a Proof-of-Stake consensus model, which significantly reduces energy consumption to approximately 0.001 TWh annually. The platform’s native cryptocurrency, tez (XTZ), is used for interacting with dApps, paying fees, securing the network through staking, and serving as a basic accounting unit. Tezos supports smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) that operate independently of any central authority and offers features like Smart Rollups and timelocks to enhance security and efficiency. It also supports multiple high-level programming languages, including variants of JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, and OCaml, and offers a Unity SDK for game developers to integrate blockchain features easily. Tezos is recognized for its vibrant art community, with the first marketplace, Hic et Nunc, launched in March 2021, and partnerships with major entities like Ubisoft, Team Vitality, Manchester United, and Musée d’Orsay. The platform has a dedicated arts and culture team to support innovation in these areas. Tezos’ community-led governance model allows stakeholders to propose and vote on protocol changes, enabling seamless upgrades without hard forks. The latest protocol upgrade, Oxford 2, was activated on February 9, 2024. Additionally, Tezos supports formal verification to ensure code reliability and has a low carbon footprint, making its NFTs as energy-efficient as sending a single tweet. The platform also has a DeFi Catalyst Accelerator program to support startups building on Etherlink and Tezos.