ARDR

Ardor addresses critical issues in the blockchain space, such as network scalability and blockchain bloat, by separating transaction processing onto distinct child chains while maintaining security on the parent chain. It also tackles single token dependency, allowing each child chain to have its own native token. This multi-chain structure provides flexibility for businesses to deploy custom, secure, and permissionable blockchain solutions or dApps without needing to manage their own full blockchain infrastructure.

The primary use case for the ardr token is network security and transaction processing within the Ardor ecosystem. Holders can participate in "forging" (Ardor's term for staking) by holding at least 1,000 ARDR, earning transaction fees from newly generated blocks. Additionally, ARDR is used by "bundlers" who group child chain transactions and pay the fees in ARDR to the parent chain forgers, effectively securing the child chain operations and enabling a sustainable network.

While both use a main chain with attached chains, Ardor's child chains operate as fully independent blockchains with customizable parameters (block size, transaction types, tokenomics), whereas Polkadot parachains share the relay chain's consensus and security model. Ardor enables transaction pruning where child chain data can be discarded after validation, significantly reducing storage requirements compared to Polkadot's persistent parachain storage.

Yes, Ardor supports DeFi through its Asset Exchange and Marketplace modules. However, its design prioritizes enterprise use cases over high-frequency trading. The fixed-fee model (rather than gas auctions) provides cost predictability for business applications but may limit complex DeFi composability compared to Ethereum's ecosystem. Recent JVM integration bridges this gap by enabling EVM compatibility.

Minimum specifications include 4-core CPU, 8GB RAM, 100GB SSD storage (pruning enabled), and a stable internet connection. Unlike mining-based systems, Ardor's forging doesn't require specialized hardware. Storage requirements remain constant due to transaction pruning, making node operation sustainable long-term as blockchain size doesn't perpetually grow.

Child chains inherit security through "bundling" – the parent chain's forgers batch child chain transactions into Ardor blocks. This design allows child chains to leverage the entire network's PoS security without maintaining their own validator sets. Each bundle is cryptographically signed by the parent chain forger, creating an immutable trust layer.

Ardor provides public blockchain immutability with private data controls through its hybrid deployment options, whereas Hyperledger is private-permissioned by design. Ardor's public child chains enable verifiable transparency (e.g. supply chain tracking) without exposing proprietary data. Additionally, Ardor's fixed tokenomics eliminates unpredictable gas costs common in Ethereum-based enterprise solutions.