Cosmos, represented by the ATOM token, is a decentralized network that strives to solve key challenges faced by traditional blockchain systems. It addresses issues like slow transaction speeds, high operational costs, limited scalability, and the environmental impact of proof-of-work protocols. Cosmos seeks to create an ecosystem of interconnected blockchains, simplifying blockchain development through a modular framework and enabling seamless communication between different networks. ATOM tokens, earned via a hybrid proof-of-stake mechanism, play a crucial role in securing the Cosmos Hub—the network's central blockchain—and contribute to governance decisions across the ecosystem.

Cosmos functions through a three-layered architecture: the application layer, the networking layer, and the consensus layer. The application layer handles transaction processing and updates the state of the network, while the networking layer facilitates communication across different blockchains. The consensus layer enables nodes to agree on the network’s current state using a proof-of-stake algorithm. Validators stake ATOM tokens to participate in transaction verification, with higher stakes increasing their chances of selection. Dishonest behavior by validators can lead to penalties, including the loss of staked tokens. Cosmos provides open-source tools that allow developers to create decentralized applications and custom blockchains.

Cosmos aims to reduce fragmentation in the blockchain space by enabling different blockchains to communicate and share data seamlessly. This interoperability seeks to simplify blockchain technology for developers, allowing them to build applications using pre-existing modules through a modular framework. Cosmos focuses on scalability, striving to process more transactions per second than many traditional blockchains. This scalability could make the network suitable for applications that require high throughput, potentially opening doors for broader adoption in industries that need fast and efficient blockchain solutions, such as financial services, supply chain management, and decentralized finance (DeFi).

Cosmos traces its origins to 2014 with the founding of Tendermint, a key technology contributor to the network. In 2016, the Cosmos white paper was released, followed by a token sale in 2017 to support the project’s growth. The network was developed by Tendermint’s co-founders Jae Kwon, Zarko Milosevic, and Ethan Buchman, who played pivotal roles in shaping the Cosmos ecosystem. Jae Kwon stepped down as CEO in 2020 but remains the principal architect, while Peng Zhong took over leadership. The Cosmos Hub, the first blockchain on the network, was created to facilitate communication between independent blockchains, known as "zones." The Cosmos SDK was introduced to help developers build custom blockchains using Tendermint’s consensus algorithm.

We update our Cosmos to ARS currency in real-time. Get the live price of Cosmos on Coinbase.

Assets that have a similar market cap to Cosmos include JUST, Algorand, Pi, and many others. To see a full list, see our comparable market cap assets.

The current circulating supply of Cosmos is 531 million.

Cosmos ranks 15 among tradable assets on Coinbase. Popularity is currently based on relative market cap.

Currently, 98% of Coinbase users are buying Cosmos. In other words, 98% of Coinbase customers have increased their net position in Cosmos over the past 24 hours through trading.

Yes, Cosmos is currently available on Coinbase’s centralized exchange. For more detailed instructions, check out our helpful how to buy Cosmos guide.