What is Ardor? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Ardor at a glance.

Ardor separates security from functionality by keeping the parent chain minimal and pushing transactions and features onto interoperable child chains. Here is how it works and what it is used for, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

n/a

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Ardor. Updated Jun 8, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

ARDR

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live ARDR price.

How it works

How Ardor works.

Ardor uses a 100% Proof of Stake design called forging. ARDR holders generate blocks and reach consensus in proportion to their stake, and forgers earn the transaction fees from the blocks they produce. No new ARDR is created, so the parent-chain coin supply is fixed.

Consensus: Pure Proof of Stake (forging)

Ardor uses a 100% Proof of Stake design called forging. ARDR holders generate blocks and reach consensus in proportion to their stake, and forgers earn the transaction fees from the blocks they produce. No new ARDR is created, so the parent-chain coin supply is fixed.

Parent-child chains

A single parent chain secures the network while multiple child chains handle transactions and application logic independently.

Forging

Block production by Proof of Stake, where ARDR holders forge blocks in proportion to their stake and collect fees.

Pruning

Child-chain transaction data can be pruned over time to keep the parent chain lean while preserving security guarantees.

Child-chain tokens

Each child chain can run its own token and features without congesting or changing the parent chain.

Ecosystem & usage

What Ardor is used for.

The Ardor ecosystem is organized around the parent chain and a set of child chains that deliver business-ready features.

Application chains

Projects launch a child chain to run their own token and logic while inheriting parent-chain security.

Securing the network

ARDR holders forge blocks and earn transaction fees, providing Proof of Stake consensus for the whole platform.

Interoperable transfers

Assets and messages can move between child chains that share the same parent-chain settlement.

In Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend ARDR.

Ardor is integrated in Zypto App. Hold ARDR in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold ARDR in Zypto How to buy ARDR

Be the reason Ardor ships next.

Ardor isn’t in Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

What is Ardor?

Ardor is a Layer 1 blockchain platform that uses a parent-child chain architecture. The parent chain secures the network and child chains carry application features. The parent-chain coin is ARDR.

What consensus does Ardor use?

Ardor uses a pure Proof of Stake design called forging, where ARDR holders generate blocks in proportion to their stake and earn transaction fees.

What are child chains?

Child chains are independent chains that run transactions and application logic while relying on the Ardor parent chain for security and settlement.

Is new ARDR created over time?

No. The ARDR supply is fixed and no new coins are minted. Forgers are rewarded with transaction fees rather than new issuance.

Can I hold ARDR in Zypto App?

Not yet. ARDR isn't in Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Ardor using the "Request Ardor" button above.

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