#### What is Kadena? Kadena (KDA) is a proof-of-work [blockchain](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-a-blockchain) that aims to offer a scalable version of [Bitcoin](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-bitcoin). It combines the proof-of-work [consensus mechanism](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/getting-started/crypto-education/glossary/consensus-mechanism-protocol) from Bitcoin with directed acyclic graph (DAG) principles. Kadena's unique infrastructure is decentralized and built for mass adoption due to its multi-chain approach. It aims to provide the security of Bitcoin while offering unparalleled throughput, making the blockchain usable for enterprises and entrepreneurs. Kadena's infrastructure can support global financial systems and can be scaled as necessary. It also aims to remain energy-efficient at scale and deliver more transactions with the same energy input. Kadena's native token, KDA, is used to pay for [gas](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/getting-started/crypto-education/glossary/gas-fee) and as a miner reward for producing new [blocks](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/getting-started/crypto-education/glossary/block). #### How does Kadena work? Kadena achieves scalability by braiding chains together, meaning it offers not one but several separate blockchains that all work simultaneously and asynchronously to validate transactions. This allows Kadena to [mint](https://help.coinbase.com/en/coinbase/getting-started/crypto-education/glossary/mint) multiple blocks simultaneously, thus increasing its throughput. This also increases security by reducing an attacker's time between block confirmations. Kadena uses a directed acyclic graph structure to scale from one proof-of-work blockchain to theoretically an unlimited amount. However, its DAG structure is fixed and multi-channel, meaning Kadena's blockchains only communicate with three peer chains instead of randomly confirming transactions. This improves real-world performance and scalability. #### What are the potential use cases for Kadena? Kadena aims to support global financial systems and can be scaled as necessary. It also aims to remain energy-efficient at scale and deliver more transactions with the same energy input. Kadena's unique infrastructure is decentralized and built for mass adoption due to its multi-chain approach. It can be used by enterprises and entrepreneurs alike. Kadena also offers [crypto](https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/what-is-cryptocurrency) gas stations, which allow businesses to pay for their customers' gas fees and remove a massive pain point in adopting blockchains for business. #### What is the history of Kadena? Kadena was founded in 2016 by Stuart Popejoy and Will Martino. Stuart Popejoy led JPMorgan's Emerging Blockchain group before founding Kadena and has 15 years of experience building trading systems and infrastructure in finance. Will Martino was the Lead Engineer for JPMorgan's blockchain prototype Juno and led the Securities and Exchange Committee's Cryptocurrency Steering Committee and Qualitative Analytics Unit. Another key persona in founding Kadena was Dr. Stuart Haber, who is the co-inventor of blockchain technology and the most cited author in the Bitcoin whitepaper. Kadena raised capital from a number of crypto venture capitalists like Multicoin Capital, CoinFund, Amino Capital, and others.