The Cardano blockchain is a 3rd generation blockchain platform that was designed with a collaborative peer-to-peer review system, It aims to improve upon prior blockchain systems to enable larger and more sustainable uses of the technology.
Cardano was built with a governance model that is based on collaboration. This allows the platform to evolve quickly and adapt to the changing needs of its users. Unlike many other blockchain projects, it also installed a treasury system to fund the ongoing development needs that may arise as it moves forward.
The Cardano blockchain uses a unique proof of stake algorithm called Ouroboros and has a protocol that consists of two layers, a settlement layer and a control layer. The settlement layer is designed to perform accounting functions, while the control layer is tasked with running smart contracts. The platform tries to balance the privacy concerns of users with the requirements of regulators in an effective way.
Cardano uses the Haskell programming language and is fueled by the ADA coin

The Aztec Protocol is an efficient zero-knowledge privacy protocol designed to enable private transactions on the Ethereum blocckhain. Their zero-knowledge proofs enable private transactions that can facilitate a variety of inter-operable financial applications on Ethereum. Aztec is a ConsenSys portfolio company.

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QuarkChain is building a blockchain with a focus on speed and scalability. They hope to significantly improve transaction times and reduce fees with an architecture that will rely on a two-layered blockchain and elastic sharding. QuarkChain uses a hybrid Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism that is ASIC-resistant. Transactions are first confirmed on one blockchain layer, and then on the second. The network will be powered by the QKC coin.