🪙 Tezos (XTZ): A Self-Upgrading Blockchain for Smart Contracts and NFTs
Tezos is a Layer 1 blockchain designed for long-term evolution, security, and on-chain governance. It enables developers to build smart contracts and dApps while allowing the protocol to upgrade itself without forks — a unique feature in the blockchain world.
The XTZ token is used for staking (“baking”), paying transaction fees, and voting on protocol upgrades.
❓ What Is Tezos?
Tezos is a smart contract platform that:
- Prioritizes governance and long-term protocol evolution
- Allows token holders to propose and vote on upgrades
- Supports applications in DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, and more
Launched in 2018, Tezos was one of the first blockchains to introduce formal on-chain governance, and it continues to upgrade regularly — with features like rollups and improved performance coming from community proposals.
⭐ Key Features of Tezos
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Self-Amending Protocol: Tezos can upgrade itself without hard forks, enabling seamless improvements over time.
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On-Chain Governance: All major changes are proposed, voted on, and approved by XTZ holders through a transparent process.
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Energy-Efficient PoS: Uses Liquid Proof of Stake (LPoS), enabling fast, low-energy transactions.
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Smart Contract Security: Contracts are written in Michelson, a language designed for formal verification — ideal for high-value use cases.
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XTZ Token Utility:
- Used to pay transaction and smart contract execution fees
- Delegated or staked ('baked') for rewards and network security
- Used for governance voting on protocol upgrades
Tezos is ideal for developers and institutions that value upgradeability, sustainability, and secure smart contract infrastructure.