Hedera is a cutting-edge third-generation proof-of-stake public network powered by its unique hashgraph consensus. As a fully open-source public distributed ledger, it supports Solidity-based smart contracts compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and native tokenization. Developers leverage Hedera’s carbon-negative network to deploy scalable applications. Governed by the Hedera Governing Council—a diverse group of 39 organizations like Google, IBM, LG, and Chainlink Labs—the network ensures decentralized control, preventing any single entity from influencing HBAR price or protocol decisions.
What Is HBAR? Hedera’s Native Cryptocurrency
HBAR serves dual roles within the Hedera ecosystem:
1. Network Fuel: Powers transactions and smart contract executions.
2. Staking Asset: Secures the network via PoS consensus, rewarding validators with a share of transaction fees.
👉 Discover how HBAR staking boosts network security
Hashgraph Consensus: Speed, Efficiency, and Fairness
Unlike traditional blockchains that discard competing blocks (causing inefficiencies), hashgraph consensus incorporates all transactions into the ledger. Key advantages:
| Feature | Hashgraph | Traditional Blockchains |
|---|---|---|
| Throughput | 10,000+ TPS | Ethereum: 15-30 TPS |
| Transaction Fee | $0.0001 | Bitcoin: ~$1–$50 |
| Confirmation Time | <5 sec | Bitcoin: 10–60 min |
| Energy Use/Tx | 0.00017 kWh | PoW: ~1,000 kWh |
Why Hashgraph Outperforms PoW/PoS
- No wasted energy: Eliminates mining of orphaned blocks.
- Bandwidth-limited scaling: Enables faster growth without congestion.
- Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT): Ensures security with mathematical rigor.
HBAR Tokenomics: Supply and Distribution
Hedera’s fixed total supply is 50 billion HBAR, allocated as follows (2022 data):
| Allocation Category | HBAR (Billions) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Treasury (Managed by Council) | 16 | Future ecosystem grants |
| Swirlds & Investors | 3.9 | IP licensing for hashgraph tech |
| Founders & Early Team | 6.9 | Initial development incentives |
| Employee Incentives | 7.0 | Retention and rewards (22% released) |
| SAFT Purchasers | 8.6 | Early funding agreements |
| Ecosystem Development | 11.9 | Grants and partnerships |
👉 Explore HBAR’s staking rewards structure
Founders and Governance
- Dr. Leemon Baird: Invented hashgraph consensus; co-founded Swirlds Labs (2015) before launching Hedera in 2018.
- Dr. Mance Harmon: Former CEO, now focuses on Swirlds Labs’ strategic projects.
Despite stepping down from executive roles in 2022, both remain active in the Hedera Governing Council, ensuring continuity.
Hedera’s Key Achievements
- Constellation ShortList™ 2022: Recognized for enterprise-grade blockchain services.
- Arkhia Partnership: Enhanced node infrastructure for developers, reducing deployment friction.