Canto

Canto is a permissionless, general-purpose Layer 1 blockchain that runs the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). It is built to fulfill the promise of decentralized finance (DeFi) by providing accessible, transparent, and decentralized financial infrastructure. Canto operates on a Proof of Stake consensus layer built with the Cosmos SDK and uses Ethermint to enable EVM compatibility. This architecture allows developers familiar with Ethereum tooling to deploy smart contracts and DeFi applications seamlessly on Canto.

The blockchain emphasizes Free Public Infrastructure (FPI) by offering core DeFi primitives without fees or rent extraction. Key components include the Canto DEX, a zero-fee decentralized exchange for liquidity providers, and the Canto Lending Market (CLM), a pooled lending protocol forked from Compound v2. The ecosystem also features NOTE, a fully collateralized stablecoin pegged softly to USDC/USDT, issued by the lending market. Canto’s design avoids centralized incentives by having no official foundation, no presale, no vesting, and no venture capital backing, fostering a community-driven development model.

Canto targets DeFi developers and financial institutions seeking a censorship-resistant, low-cost execution environment with free liquidity provision. Developers can get started by connecting to the network using standard Ethereum-compatible wallets and tools, leveraging comprehensive documentation and community resources. The chain supports integration with third-party aggregators for trading, as Canto intentionally avoids native swapping interfaces to promote decentralized user acquisition. Its open governance and community engagement model encourage contributions and innovation without centralized control.