Cardano has over 30 network parameters–the mechanisms that control how the Cardano Blockchain works. In this installment of our ongoing exploration of Cardano's network parameters, we turn our attention to **price_step**, one half of the critical executionPrices configuration that determines how much users pay for smart contract operations. While its partner price_mem governs the cost of memory usage, **price_step** sets the price for computational processing power—every logical operation, cryptographic calculation, and algorithmic step executed by Plutus scripts. As of December...

Cardano has around 30 network parameters. Parameters are the mechanisms that control how the Cardano Blockchain works. Today, we are digging into a mechanism that plays an essential role in the Cardano transaction model. Our parameter for the day is the 'min_fee_a' parameter. At first glance, the naming might sound enigmatic, but the min_fee_a parameter plays a foundational role almost every time you sign a transaction. When a transaction is made on the Cardano network, a certain fee is associated...

Today we are talking about a parameter that is as old as currency and money itself. Our parameter today is the ‘**monetary_expand_rate**.’ This is the parameter that controls the rate at which Ada in reserve is put into circulation. Cardano’s currency has a fixed supply of 45 billion. However, not all 45 billion is available to the public to use. Initially, just over 31 Billion was released. The remaining amount was put into a reserve. Every five days, when incentivisation...

As of this publication, Cardano has around 30 network parameters. These parameters are the mechanisms that control how the Cardano Blockchain works. Today, we are talking about one of the oldest parameters, the Decentralization parameter - also known as the **“D” parameter.** While the ‘D’ parameter has now been retired, it’s an interesting part of the origin story of Cardano. ## So what was it for? Every blockchain starts with a few people turning on the network. Then, slowly, others...

As of this recording, Cardano has around 30 network parameters. These parameters are the mechanisms that control how the Cardano Blockchain works. **Today we are talking about the *pool_deposit* parameter.** Cardano, unlike Bitcoin, is a Proof-of-Stake blockchain. On bitcoin, the blockchain is secured by expensive computer hardware using lots of electricity. These machines are distributed across the planet. Every time new data needs to be stored, 51% or more consensus is required among this global network of devices. The idea...

As of this recording, Cardano has around 30 network parameters. These parameters are the mechanisms that control how the Cardano Blockchain works. **Today we are talking about a parameter that drives a lot of the day-to-day activity for the Cardano network and Community.** This parameter is the **‘epoch_length.’** ## Epochs First, what is an epoch? Put simply, an epoch is a unit of time. The earth’s epochs are geological periods measured in tens of thousands of years. We are currently...

As of this recording, Cardano has around 30 network parameters. Parameters are the mechanisms that control how the Cardano Blockchain works. Today we are talking about a parameter that affects every ada holder wishing to actively contribute to the security of Cardano. Our parameter today is the key_deposit parameter. Before we define this parameter, let’s set the stage: Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain. This means that to participate in keeping the network secure, you don’t need to buy special computer...

As of this publication, Cardano has around 30 network parameters. Parameters are the mechanisms that control how the Cardano Blockchain works. Some parameters have existed since Cardano launched. Some parameters, like the decentralization parameter, get removed. Other times new parameters are added. Even more often, the value of a parameter gets changed. **Our parameter today is epoch_no.** This parameter tells the system when other parameter changes should take effect. In Cardano, most changes happen at the beginning of an...

Of all the parameters guiding Cardano, few spark as much debate as **optimal_pool_count** — better known as k. Cardano has over 40 parameters shaping its security, performance, and governance. So why does k get so much attention? ### What is optimal_pool_count (k)? The **optimal_pool_count (k)** is a protocol parameter that defines the ideal minimum number of stake pools to efficiently run the Cardano network. It enforces this ideal minimum by influencing how delegation incentives are structured. In a proof-of-work (PoW)...

In September 2024 Cardano bootstrapped its efforts to transition to on-chain governance with the Chang hardfork major software update. Since September there’s been a number of additional big milestones including: * 50 global workshops to co-create a constitution * A constitution convention in Argentina and Kenya * A second hardfork to enable Cardano holders to propose 7 different types of governance changes, including proposing withdrawals from the treasury. * Intersect and Pragma, which are two Cardano Members-Based Organizations, create two...

## 2025: The Completion of Cardano’s Original Roadmap This year marks the completion of Cardano’s original development roadmap. Since the beginning, Cardano’s progress has been guided by its three founding entities. These entities defined the roadmap and set the network’s parameters based on rigorous research. Parameters are the settings that define how the blockchain operates. Over the years, some parameters have been adjusted. In some cases, the changes were part of the original plan—like the gradual phasing out of the...

Cardano has over 30 parameters. Each parameter plays a role in shaping the network’s functionality, governance, economics, and performance. The **min_pool_cost** parameter was a point of consternation for many within the Cardano community for a long time. Here is what the parameter does, and why you might care. ## What is it The **min_pool_cost** sets a **minimum fixed fee** that every stake pool operator (SPO) must charge to run a pool. ## Why a Minimum Cost? Running a stake pool...