Algorand (ALGO) is the native cryptocurrency of the Algorand blockchain, a decentralized layer-1 Proof-of-Stake (PoS) platform launched in June 2019. Founded by Turing Award-winning cryptographer Silvio Micali, Algorand is designed for scalability, speed, and security, supporting decentralized applications (dApps), real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, and financial infrastructure. With its Pure Proof-of-Stake (PPoS) consensus, Algorand achieves high throughput (~10,000 TPS) and instant finality, targeting enterprise and Web3 adoption.

Key Features

  • Pure Proof-of-Stake (PPoS): Requires only 1 ALGO to stake, enabling democratized participation and high security with low entry barriers.
  • High Scalability: Processes thousands of transactions per second with sub-4-second finality and low fees (~$0.0002 per transaction).
  • Carbon Neutrality: Maintains an eco-friendly network with minimal energy consumption compared to Proof-of-Work (PoW) chains.
  • Developer-Friendly: Supports Python and other familiar languages for dApp and smart contract development.

ALGO Token

  • Purpose: Powers transactions, staking, governance, and RWA tokenization.
  • Supply: ~8.6B ALGO in circulation, with a maximum supply of 10B.
  • Contract Address: Native to Algorand blockchain; compatible with wallets like Pera Wallet or MyAlgo for DeFi and trading CoinGecko CMC.

Who Are the Founders of Algorand?

Algorand was founded by Silvio Micali, an MIT professor and cryptography pioneer. The Algorand Foundation, established to manage the network, conducted a $60M ICO in June 2019 at $0.24 per token. The foundation, joined by advisor Jennie Levin in 2025, drives ecosystem growth and governance.

What Makes Algorand Unique?

Algorand stands out in the blockchain ecosystem:

  • Pure PoS (PPoS): Randomly selects validators with minimal staking (1 ALGO), enhancing decentralization and security.
  • RWA Leadership: Secures 77% of on-chain stocks ($348M), surpassing Ethereum, Arbitrum, and XRP combined.
  • GENIUS Act Compliance: Natively supports features like freeze, clawback, and reserve addresses for regulatory compliance.
  • Ecosystem Growth: Hosts dApps like Folks Finance and supports multichain functionality via Wormhole NTT.

Algorand Network Upgrades (2024–2025)

  • Native Multichain Functionality (2025): Integrated Wormhole NTT via Folks Finance for cross-chain interoperability.
  • Blockchain Association Membership (2025): Joined to influence crypto policy and adoption.
  • Avalanche Integration (2025): Enhanced EVM compatibility for DeFi and dApp liquidity.

How Is Algorand Secured?

  • PPoS Consensus: Random validator selection ensures resistance to malicious attacks with minimal staking requirements.
  • Decentralized Governance: Rewards are distributed to all ALGO holders every ~10 minutes, incentivizing participation.
  • Relay Nodes: Facilitate communication without proposing/voting, enhancing network efficiency.

Conclusion

Algorand (ALGO) is a scalable, secure, and eco-friendly layer-1 blockchain driving financial and Web3 infrastructure. With leadership in RWA tokenization, Algorand’s PPoS, low fees, and 2025 upgrades like multichain support and staking accessibility position it as a cornerstone for decentralized economies.