Your comprehensive guide to the Ergo blockchain - a next-generation smart contract platform focused on providing efficient, secure financial contracts for everyone.

Get Started with Ergo

Introduction to Ergo

Ergo is a resilient blockchain platform for contractual money. Launched in July 2019, Ergo builds upon the best aspects of Bitcoin while adding significant innovations to create a platform specifically designed for financial contracts.

Founded by Alexander Chepurnoy (kushti) and Dmitry Meshkov, both experienced blockchain developers with backgrounds at IOHK (the company behind Cardano), Ergo combines proven approaches with cutting-edge cryptography.

Core Philosophy

Grassroots Finance

Building financial tools for ordinary people, not just financial elites

Economic Freedom

Creating tools that cannot be shut down or censored

Long-term Sustainability

Designing systems that can last decades without degradation

Privacy as a Right

Incorporating optional privacy features

Research-based

Building on peer-reviewed academic research

Fair Launch

No ICO, no premine, community focused

Technical Foundation

The Extended UTXO Model

Unlike account-based blockchains (such as Ethereum), Ergo uses an extended UTXO model similar to Bitcoin but with enhanced capabilities. This approach offers:

ErgoScript

ErgoScript is Ergo's smart contract language, based on Scala. It features:

{
  val userPubKey = PK("9f8ZQt26JU37UpsW5TLxbGjT2gNvdNyVHxr7ybFJEKSG3xJKRE4")
  val timeDeadline = 1234567

  sigmaProp(
    (userPubKey && HEIGHT > timeDeadline) || 
    (OUTPUTS(0).R4[Coll[Byte]].get == blake2b256(INPUTS(0).id))
  )
}

Autolykos Proof of Work

Ergo's consensus algorithm, Autolykos v2, provides:

Sigma Protocols

At the cryptographic core of Ergo are Sigma Protocols, which enable:

Storage Rent

One of Ergo's most innovative features is storage rent:

Tokenomics

ERG Supply and Distribution

Parameter Value
Maximum supply 97,739,924 ERG
Initial supply 0 (no premine)
Emission schedule 8 years of gradually decreasing block rewards
Block time ~2 minutes
Initial block reward 75 ERG (decreasing over time)
Foundation treasury 4.43% of total supply
Mining rewards 95.57% of total supply

Economic Model

Ergo's economic model is designed for long-term sustainability through three phases:

Phase 1: Pre-emission (2019-2022)

First 2.5 years with higher rewards to bootstrap the network

Phase 2: Main emission (2022-2027)

Gradually decreasing rewards as adoption increases

Phase 3: Post-emission (2027+)

After 8 years, miners earn from transaction fees and storage rent

Ecosystem Components

SigmaUSD

The first algorithmic stablecoin on Ergo, implementing the AgeUSD protocol:

  • Crypto-backed stablecoin resistant to extreme market events
  • No liquidations (unlike many DeFi lending protocols)
  • Two positions: SigmaUSD (stablecoin) and SigmaRSV (reserve coin)
ErgoDEX

A non-custodial, decentralized exchange offering:

  • AMM (Automated Market Maker) functionality
  • Order book functionality
  • Cross-chain trading capability (Ergo and Cardano)
  • Liquidity pools and yield farming
Oracle Pools

Ergo's oracle pools provide:

  • Hierarchical, multi-stage data delivery
  • Stake-slashing for incorrect data
  • Decentralized governance of oracle pools
  • Data averaging and outlier rejection
ErgoMixer

A non-custodial mixer for privacy:

  • Coin mixing for privacy protection
  • Ring signatures and zero-knowledge proofs
  • Enables private transfers on a transparent blockchain
  • One of the most advanced privacy tools in the industry
NFT Marketplace

Ergo supports NFTs with:

  • Auction House for NFT trading
  • Artist royalties on secondary sales
  • Collection verification
  • Low minting and trading fees
Wallets

Multiple wallet options including:

  • Nautilus Wallet (browser extension)
  • SAFEW (Simple and Fast Ergo Wallet)
  • Mobile wallets for iOS and Android
  • Hardware wallet support

Use Cases and Applications

DeFi Applications

Privacy Tools

DAOs and Governance

Tokenization

Getting Started with Ergo

Buying ERG

ERG can be purchased on:

Creating a Wallet

Follow these steps to create your first Ergo wallet:

  1. Choose a wallet type (Nautilus, SAFEW, mobile)
  2. Download from official sources
  3. Create new wallet and secure your seed phrase
  4. Familiarize yourself with the features

Mining ERG

To start mining Ergo:

Participating in the Ecosystem

Ways to get involved with Ergo:

Resources and Links

Official Resources

Community Channels

Development Resources