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What Is Ardor?

Ardor (ARDR) is a blockchain-as-a-service platform that uses a unique parent-child chain architecture. Developed by Jelurida, the same team behind the Nxt blockchain, Ardor represents a direct evolution of Nxt's technology, redesigned to solve the blockchain bloat and scalability problems that Nxt encountered. Launched in January 2018, the platform separates blockchain security (handled by the Ardor parent chain) from business functionality (handled by customizable child chains), creating a scalable and flexible multi-chain system.

The parent-child architecture works by having the Ardor parent chain handle consensus and security through a Proof of Stake mechanism, while child chains process transactions for their specific use cases. Child chain transactions are bundled by bundlers -- special nodes that collect child chain transactions and submit their 256-bit SHA-256 hashes to the parent chain. This bundling process provides security without bloating the parent chain with all transaction data. The design also enables blockchain pruning, where old child chain transaction data can be removed from full nodes while security guarantees are maintained by the parent chain's permanent record of transaction hashes.

Ardor comes with a comprehensive set of built-in features that child chains can use without writing custom smart contracts. These include the Asset Exchange for issuing and trading tokens, the Monetary System for creating and managing currencies, a Digital Goods Store (decentralized marketplace), encrypted Messaging, a Voting System, Coin Shuffling for transaction privacy, Data Cloud for on-chain storage, Aliases for name registration, Phasing for time-delayed and approval-based transactions, and Account Control for multi-signature and account restrictions. Smart Phasing extends this further with Boolean AND/OR/NOT composite voting logic, allowing complex approval workflows. Child chains can combine these features to create business applications without the risks associated with custom smart contract code.

The first child chain on Ardor is Ignis (IGNIS), which provides a general-purpose blockchain with all of Ardor's built-in features. Ignis was distributed through a JLRDA IOU crowdsale on the Nxt blockchain at a ratio of 1 NXT to 0.5 IGNIS, with a total supply of 500 million IGNIS (440 million distributed publicly and 60 million reserved for Jelurida). Other child chains can be created for specific purposes, each with their own token and configuration. ARDR tokens are used for forging (block production) on the parent chain, while IGNIS and other child chain tokens are used for transaction fees on their respective chains. Child chain creators can set up bundlers who pay ARDR fees on behalf of users, enabling feeless experiences for end users -- a significant usability advantage for business applications. Jelurida offers the platform under both open-source (GPLv2) and commercial licensing options for enterprises that need proprietary deployments.

Getting Started With Ardor

  1. Step 1: Learn About Ardor. Visit jelurida.com/ardor to understand the parent-child chain architecture, the built-in feature set, and the advantages of Ardor's multi-chain design.
  2. Step 2: Download the Ardor Client. Install the Ardor client software from the official website. The client provides a web-based interface for managing your accounts, interacting with all chain features, and participating in the ecosystem.
  3. Step 3: Acquire ARDR or IGNIS. Purchase ARDR (for forging/staking) or IGNIS (for general-purpose transactions) on a supported exchange. ARDR is needed for participating in consensus, while IGNIS is used for transacting on the main child chain.
  4. Step 4: Explore Features. Use the built-in features to issue assets, set up a marketplace listing, create a poll, send encrypted messages, or explore the decentralized exchange. All of these features are available through the Ardor client interface.

How to Get an Ardor Wallet?

Ardor Client (Desktop)

The official Ardor client is a Java-based application available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It runs a node and provides a comprehensive web interface for all Ardor and child chain features, including forging, asset management, and marketplace interaction.

Ardor Lite Wallet (Mobile)

The Ardor Lite Wallet is available for Android, providing a mobile interface for basic Ardor and Ignis transactions. It connects to remote nodes rather than running a full node on the device.

Hardware Wallet Support

Ardor and Ignis have limited hardware wallet support. Check current compatibility before relying on hardware wallet storage, and consider using the official client with strong passphrase security as an alternative.

Ardor Resources

How to Buy Ardor?

ARDR and IGNIS tokens can be purchased on centralized exchanges including Bittrex, HitBTC, and Gate.io. Create an account, complete verification, deposit funds, and trade for ARDR or IGNIS. Make sure to distinguish between the two tokens as they serve different purposes.

Ardor also includes a built-in decentralized exchange (the Coin Exchange feature) where child chain tokens can be traded against each other directly on the blockchain without third-party intermediaries.

Latest Ardor News

Ardor and Jelurida continue to develop the multi-chain platform with a focus on enterprise adoption and real-world use cases. The platform's built-in feature approach (rather than custom smart contracts) provides a different paradigm for blockchain application development, one that prioritizes security and reliability. Jelurida has been pursuing partnerships and use cases in areas such as supply chain management, digital identity, and asset tokenization, leveraging Ardor's mature feature set and child chain architecture.