A Beginner’s Guide to Algorand (ALGO) Blockchain

Every new blockchain protocol that grabs the limelight has at least one unique trait that separates them from others. With innovation as a priority, the blockchain ecosystem keeps bringing new protocols to solve pressing concerns. The Algorand Algo blockchain is one of the perfect examples of blockchain protocols created to address the biggest problem, the blockchain trilemma. The mainnet of Algorand was launched in 2019 and has been in the news for solving challenges with blockchain scalability. At the same time, you might wonder about its competence against top players such as Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Solana. Let us learn more about the fundamentals of Algorand and how it became a favorite of enterprises and developers.

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Understanding the Basic Details of Algorand

Algorand is a layer 1 blockchain protocol that offers the guarantee of high performance with instant transaction finality, low gas fees, and high network throughput. In simple words, the Algorand protocol offers a solution to the blockchain trilemma between decentralization, security, and scalability. The strength of Algorand to solve the blockchain trilemma comes from its unique consensus mechanism. Algorand utilizes a Pure Proof of Stake consensus mechanism that ensures faster and more efficient transactions with a reduced environmental footprint.

The vision behind Algorand focuses on addressing the inefficiencies associated with existing blockchain protocols. The creator, Silvio Micali, had earned a reputation for his contributions to cryptography, and he wanted to develop a system that addressed the obstacles to speed, decentralization, and security. As of now, Algorand can process almost 10000 transactions in a second with extremely low costs. Interestingly, Algorand has created its independent blockchain ecosystem that supports DeFi, NFTs, supply chain, and many other solutions.  

Serving a Unique Consensus Mechanism

The first idea for introducing Algorand took birth in 2017 when Proof of Work was the norm among consensus mechanisms. Popular blockchain protocols such as Bitcoin and Ethereum also use the Proof of Work consensus mechanism. The growing influence of Algorand partnerships and key technological innovations started with the notion to offer improvements on the Proof of Work consensus mechanism. According to the whitepaper of Algorand, the Proof of Work mechanism wastes a lot of resources, offers limited scalability, and increases the risks of centralization.

The Proof of Stake consensus mechanism emerged as an alternative to the energy-intensive Proof of Work approach. However, Algorand took a different approach and adopted a variation of the Proof of Stake approach. The consensus mechanism of Algorand, the Pure Proof of Stake mechanism, is different from Proof of Stake as it does not require any deposits to become a validator. Anyone with 1 Algo token can participate in the consensus process and approve blocks. 

The unique consensus mechanism improves the efficiency of Algorand governance by reducing the barriers to entry. Everyone in the Algorand ecosystem can become a validator, thereby making the blockchain more decentralized. It follows a unique principle of avoiding fines to ensure honest actions from users.

Which Problem Can You Solve with Algorand?

Just like every blockchain protocol, Algorand was created with the vision to address a specific problem. It focused on addressing the blockchain scalability problem or the blockchain trilemma. The blockchain trilemma problem represents the challenge of balancing between security, scalability, and decentralization along with the growing blockchain network. As the Algorand blockchain size continues growing with the ecosystem embracing different types of blockchain and web3 applications, it is important to note how Algorand is adapting to the change.

• Faster Transactions, Reduced Cost 

The team of Algorand claims that technological advancements have helped them in solving the blockchain trilemma. For example, the Algorand team states that the blockchain can handle 10,000 transactions per second. Official documentation of Algorand transactions also reveals that the minimum fee for a transaction is almost 0.001 ALGO. 

• Enhanced Security

Algorand not only performs better in transaction finality but also stands out with unparalleled security as it cannot fork or split into different chains. The Pure Proof of Stake consensus approach leverages a special voting mechanism for block validation. As a result, the Algorand blockchain will stop temporarily or slow down for some time when the network participants don’t reach a consensus.    

• Complete Decentralization

The favorable estimates for Algorand price prediction also stem from its ability to ensure decentralization in all cases. Algorand uses its unique Proof of Stake variant along with Algorithmically Synchronized Randomness or ASR to achieve higher centralization. The Algorand blockchain selects validators randomly with ASR while the Pure Proof of Stake consensus allows anyone with 1 ALGO token to participate in consensus.

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Exploring Some Highlights of the ALGO Token 

You cannot expect to complete an introduction to Algorand without mentioning its native coin, the ALGO token. The ideal approach to find answers to queries like “Is Algorand a good investment?” would involve a detailed analysis of its tokenomics.

ALGO token primarily serves as a medium to pay for gas fees or for products and services in the Algorand ecosystem. The token also works as a promising asset for incentivizing participation, decentralized governance, staking, and funding for ecosystem projects.

Another crucial detail about the tokenomics of Algorand is the maximum token supply. The maximum supply of ALGO tokens has been capped at 10 billion. Out of the 10 billion tokens, 30% have been allocated for public sale. 

The other shares of the coin supply go to, 

• Participation rewards 
• Foundation treasury 
• Node running incentives 
• End user grants 
• The Algorand team and investors

Distinctive Features You Can Find in Algorand

The reputation of Algorand as a blockchain protocol depends a lot on its capability to address the problem of blockchain scaling. It offers a unique blend of speed, decentralization, and security with its unique features, such as the Pure Proof of Stake consensus. 

The special consensus approach of the Algorand Algo blockchain ensures safeguards for decentralization by allowing anyone with 1 ALGO token to participate in network consensus. On top of it, the Algorand blockchain also maintains randomness in selecting validators for new blocks. The decentralized architecture of Algorand also runs on the principle of avoiding any centralized entity exercising its power to censor transactions.

It is also important to note how Algorand is completely permissionless while upholding essential security standards. Furthermore, Algorand does not impose any slashing or fines to discourage malicious behavior on the network. Algorand has some special features that can outperform other existing blockchain protocols by a huge margin. 

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Limitations to Watch Out For

The discussions about the Algorand ALGO blockchain focus significantly on its advantages. At the same time, you must also review the Algorand protocol with an understanding of its limitations. For example, you might notice a growing DeFi ecosystem on the Algorand ALGO blockchain, albeit with weak growth. On top of it, the Algorand blockchain does not offer compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine. The lack of compatibility with EVM limits the capabilities for migrating smart contracts from other blockchain networks to Algorand blockchain.

Final Thoughts

The introduction to Algorand reveals that it is a powerful solution to the blockchain trilemma problem. While many solutions for blockchain scaling have emerged in recent years, Algorand serves as a one-for-all solution. The ease of participation in Algorand governance ensures safeguards for decentralization, while the lack of forking abilities enhances security. In terms of transaction finality, the Algorand blockchain can manage around 10,000 transactions per second. Learn more about the Algorand blockchain and its special features from a technical perspective right now.

*Disclaimer: The article should not be taken as, and is not intended to provide any investment advice. Claims made in this article do not constitute investment advice and should not be taken as such. 101 Blockchains shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this article. Do your own research!