Mina Protocol(MINA)

Overview

Mina Protocol is a layer-1 network that uses recursive zero-knowledge proofs (zk-SNARKs) to compress the entire blockchain state into a fixed-size proof of roughly 22 KB, a design it describes as the world's lightest blockchain. Unlike chains whose transaction history grows without bound, Mina is built so that nodes can verify the network's current state without downloading the full chain.

Development began at O(1) Labs in 2017, and the mainnet launched in 2021 using a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism based on Ouroboros Samasika. The native token, MINA, is used for transaction fees, staking, and block rewards, while zero-knowledge smart contracts known as zkApps allow applications to verify off-chain information without exposing the underlying data.