Fantom

Fantom is an open-source, high-performance blockchain platform designed to solve some of the most pressing issues in the blockchain industry, such as scalability, interoperability, and security. The platform uses a novel consensus mechanism called the Lachesis Protocol, which allows for faster transaction processing and higher throughput compared to other blockchain platforms. Fantom aims to provide a robust infrastructure for decentralized applications (dApps) and the creation of new blockchain projects, while also enabling easy integration with other blockchains and legacy systems.

How Fantom Works?

Consensus Mechanism

The consensus mechanism used by Fantom is called Lachesis, which is a variant of the Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) protocol. This protocol allows for fast transaction confirmation and high scalability. Lachesis achieves consensus by using a process called gossiping, where nodes exchange information about transactions and confirmations with their neighboring nodes.

Imagine that you and your friends are in a room and want to agree on something. Instead of having a leader who makes the final decision, you each talk to your neighbor and share your thoughts. Your neighbor then shares your thoughts with their neighbor, and so on, until everyone in the room has heard everyone else's thoughts. This is how the gossiping process works in the Lachesis consensus mechanism.

• Lachesis is a secure and scalable consensus engine
• The consensus is achieved by a process called Gossiping
• Asynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (aBFT) enables the network to run, even when a big part of the participants is acting maliciously

Another key feature of Lachesis is its ability to achieve asynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (aBFT). This means that the network can still reach consensus even if up to one-third of the nodes are malicious or fail to respond.

EVM Compatibility

One of the key advantages of Fantom is its compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This means that developers can write and deploy smart contracts on Fantom using Solidity, the same programming language used on the Ethereum blockchain. This compatibility makes it easy for developers to port their existing Ethereum-based applications and dApps to the Fantom network.

Additionally, Fantom has a high degree of interoperability with other blockchains, which makes it easy for developers to build cross-chain applications. This interoperability is achieved through the use of Atomic Swaps, which allow for a seamless and secure exchange of tokens between different blockchain networks.

The Fantom (FTM) Token

The FTM token is the native token of the Fantom network and is used for a variety of purposes within the ecosystem. FTM is an ERC-20 token that powers the Fantom network, allowing users to participate in network governance and pay transaction fees. 

Utility

• Staking: FTM holders can stake their tokens to help secure the network and earn rewards in the form of more FTM. Staking also helps to reduce the circulating supply of FTM, which can increase the token's value.
• Governance: FTM holders can participate in the governance of the network by proposing and voting on changes to the protocol. This includes changes to fees, block rewards, and other parameters.
• Transactions: FTM is used to pay transaction fees on the Fantom network. This means that every time a user wants to send a transaction, they need to have a small amount of FTM in their wallet to pay for the fees.

Tokenomics

The FTM token has a fixed total supply of 3.175 billion FTM with over 2.7 billion already in circulation. Tokens were distributed by a series of private sales, finishing up with a public ICO in 2018. About half of the token supply was sold to private investors who helped contribute to the project's development, while the remainder was distributed among various entities. These entities include token rewards, airdrops, team members, and advisors. By premining the token supply, Fantom was able to distribute its tokens before the launch of its mainnet, helping to build interest and support for the project.

New tokens enter circulation as a reward for Validators participating in the consensus of the network (staking). The staking rewards rate decreases over time, eventually reaching the total supply. Validators should then be paid entirely by network transaction fees.

Fantom has integrated an implicit burn mechanism into the network. That means a certain part of every transaction fee is removed from circulation. This kind of supply reduction is supposed to keep the demand steady and eventually result in a higher price per token.

Using Fantom - the Ecosystem

Because of its high throughput, the Fantom network is suitable for a wide range of applications. The most popular use case at this time would be as an alternative chain for DeFi applications. A lot of well-known dApps and protocols have been ported on Fantom thanks to the EVM compatibility. Examples of such include Curve and AAVE.

Native Apps

However, a lot bigger transaction volume is provided by a  large selection on Fantom-native dApps. These include DEXs (SpookySwap, Beethoven X), Lending platforms (Geist Finance), Staking solutions, yield aggregator platforms (Beefy Finance) and so on.

In addition to DeFi, Fantom is also gaining traction in the gaming industry. Developers are building blockchain-based games on Fantom, taking advantage of its fast and inexpensive transactions. The network is also seeing growth in the non-fungible token (NFT) space, with marketplaces like Fantom Gallery and Artion allowing users to buy and sell unique digital assets.

Aside from these industries, Fantom can also be used for a range of other applications, such as supply chain management, identity verification, voting systems, and even medical applications.