Cardano cracks the top four for staking decentralization

@Cardano has climbed to fourth place among major blockchains when ranked by the Nakamoto coefficient, a widely used measure of how resistant a network is to coordinated control.

What the number means

The Nakamoto coefficient is one of the most widely used metrics for measuring blockchain decentralization. It represents the minimum number of independent entities that would need to collude to compromise a network. For proof-of-stake systems, the threshold is typically 33% of total stake, and a higher score means it is harder for any small group to censor transactions or halt the chain.

As of June 23, Cardano holds a score of 23, the fourth-highest among all blockchains, meaning it would take the agreement of 23 independent network contributors to compromise the network. Only three networks rank higher: Polkadot leads with a coefficient of 178, followed by TON at 72 and Avalanche at 26.

The Plomin hard fork connection

The debut of the fully decentralized governance system through the Plomin hard fork played a major part in Cardano's ranking, as the transition moved control of the network to $ADA holders, allowing them to decide what happens on the network.

Cardano activated the Plomin upgrade in January 2025, enabling ADA token holders to shape the network's future, including voting on treasury measures and hard forks. Unlike previous hard forks focused on scaling and smart contract functionality, Plomin shifted on-chain governance into the hands of ADA holders, meaning proposals, protocol upgrades, and treasury allocations are now community-driven.

It is worth noting that the Nakamoto coefficient has limits as a measure. While the concept is simple, calculating it accurately is not, as calculations rely on imperfect, publicly available data, and it is often impossible to determine with certainty whether multiple validators are operated by the same underlying party. Scores also shift by tracker and by day, so any single reading should be treated as directional rather than definitive.

Sources:
Chainspect: Most Decentralized Blockchains by Nakamoto Coefficient
The Crypto Basic: Cardano Now Ranks as the 4th Most Decentralized Network
CoinDesk: Cardano's Plomin Hard Fork Goes Live, Ushering in On-Chain Governance