Fantom is a high-speed, low-fee, EVM-compatible blockchain powered by its Lachesis consensus and DAG architecture, enabling near-instant finality and scalable DeFi applications. With the FTM token at its core for staking, governance, and transactions, Fantom offers a compelling alternative to Ethereum — and it’s now fully trackable via Nansen Portfolio.
Fantom is an open-source, permissionless blockchain platform designed to overcome the limitations of older blockchain networks. Founded in 2018 by South Korean computer scientist Dr. Ahn Byung Ik and later developed by Australian computer scientist Michael Kong, Fantom aims to support decentralized applications (dApps) and digital assets while maintaining exceptional speed.
Key takeaway: Fantom prioritizes three things most blockchains struggle with – speed, security, and decentralization – without forcing users to choose between them.
The network runs on the Fantom Opera mainnet, launched in December 2019, which serves as the primary platform for all Fantom-based applications and transactions.
How Fantom Works: The Technical Advantage
Lachesis Consensus Mechanism
At the heart of Fantom's technology is its unique consensus mechanism called Lachesis. Unlike traditional blockchains that process transactions in linear blocks, Lachesis uses:
Asynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (aBFT)
Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure
Event-based transaction processing
What this means for you: Transactions can be processed independently and in parallel, rather than sequentially, allowing for much faster finality – often in 1-2 seconds.
The Lachesis consensus mechanism enables Fantom to process thousands of transactions per second while maintaining security. This makes it particularly well-suited for applications requiring high throughput and quick finality, such as DeFi protocols and payment systems.
Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)
Unlike traditional blockchain structures, Fantom's DAG architecture:
Organizes transactions as interconnected "events" rather than blocks
Allows multiple transactions to be processed simultaneously
Eliminates bottlenecks that slow down other networks
This architecture is what enables Fantom to achieve its impressive speed without sacrificing security or decentralization.
The FTM Token: Powering the Fantom Ecosystem
The native cryptocurrency of the Fantom network is the FTM token, which serves several key functions:
Pays for transaction fees on the network
Used for staking to secure the network
Grants voting rights in Fantom's governance system
Serves as a medium of exchange within the Fantom ecosystem
For investors: FTM tokens can be staked to earn rewards, with annual yields that have historically ranged from 4% to 14%, depending on market conditions and lock-up periods.
Staking Fantom: Earning Passive Income
Staking is a core feature of Fantom's proof-of-stake blockchain. When you stake FTM tokens, you:
Help secure the network by validating transactions
Earn rewards in the form of additional FTM tokens
Participate in governance decisions
The minimum amount required to stake directly on Fantom is 1 FTM, making it accessible to most investors. However, to run a validator node, you'd need a much higher amount (currently 500,000 FTM).
Fantom's Smart Contract Capabilities
As an EVM-compatible blockchain, Fantom supports the same smart contracts as Ethereum, which means:
Developers can easily port existing Ethereum dApps to Fantom
Users familiar with Ethereum can use the same tools (like MetaMask)
The learning curve for adoption is significantly reduced
This compatibility has helped Fantom attract developers and projects from the Ethereum ecosystem, looking for faster and cheaper alternatives.
DeFi on Fantom: A Growing Ecosystem
The Fantom ecosystem has seen substantial growth in DeFi applications, including:
Decentralized exchanges like SpookySwap and SpiritSwap
Lending protocols such as Geist Finance
Yield aggregators like Reaper Farm
Cross-chain bridges connecting to other blockchains
User benefit: These DeFi applications offer similar functionality to their Ethereum counterparts but with transactions that cost pennies instead of dollars and confirm in seconds rather than minutes.
What Makes Fantom Different?
Scalability Solutions
Fantom achieves its impressive scalability through:
Parallel processing of transactions
The Lachesis consensus mechanism
Modular architecture that allows for future upgrades
This results in transaction finality in 1-2 seconds and the ability to handle thousands of transactions per second.
Low Transaction Costs
Despite its high performance, Fantom maintains extremely low transaction fees, typically less than $0.01 per transaction. This makes it practical for everyday use cases where Ethereum's gas fees would be prohibitive.
Blockchain Interoperability
Fantom doesn't exist in isolation – it's designed to work with other blockchains through:
Cross-chain bridges
Multi-chain wallet support
Interoperability protocols
This allows users to move assets between Fantom and other blockchain networks seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fantom
What is Fantom (FTM) used for?
Fantom is used for fast, low-cost transactions, smart contract deployment, DeFi applications, and as a platform for building decentralized applications that require high throughput.
How does Fantom achieve scalability?
Through its Lachesis consensus protocol and DAG structure, which allow for parallel processing of transactions rather than the sequential processing found in traditional blockchains.
Is Fantom compatible with Ethereum smart contracts?
Yes, Fantom is fully EVM-compatible, meaning smart contracts written for Ethereum can be deployed on Fantom with minimal modifications.
What consensus mechanism does Fantom use?
Fantom uses Lachesis, an asynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (aBFT) consensus mechanism that allows for high speed and security.
How fast are transactions on Fantom?
Transactions on Fantom typically achieve finality in 1-2 seconds, compared to minutes on some other blockchains.
Should You Consider Fantom?
If you're looking for a blockchain that offers:
Lightning-fast transaction speeds
Minimal fees
Smart contract functionality
A growing DeFi ecosystem
Then Fantom deserves your attention. Its technical advantages make it particularly well-suited for DeFi users tired of high gas fees and slow confirmations on other networks.
As with any cryptocurrency investment, do your own research and consider your risk tolerance before investing in FTM tokens or using the Fantom network.
Track Your Holdings Effortlessly with Nansen Portfolio
Ready to take control of your investments? With Nansen Portfolio, you can seamlessly track your holdings — alongside all your other crypto assets — across multiple blockchains in one unified dashboard. Nansen’s powerful platform now integrates Fantom data, giving you real-time insights into your portfolio performance, DeFi positions, and transaction history.
