Radix (XRD) was founded in 2017 with the vision of solving some of the core inefficiencies present in the world of decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain technology. The project set out to develop a platform that could overcome the scalability and security limitations faced by existing blockchain networks, with a primary focus on ensuring seamless operations in DeFi ecosystems.
The development of Radix was spearheaded by Dan Hughes, a blockchain pioneer who observed the bottlenecks in Ethereum’s scalability, particularly in handling decentralized applications. Hughes took a unique approach to this challenge by creating Radix with a layer-one protocol designed specifically to serve DeFi applications. The Radix team believed that smart contracts and decentralized apps could achieve far greater success if they were structured within a blockchain architecture that was optimized for future growth and mass adoption.
After several years of research and experimentation, Radix introduced its first consensus algorithm — called "Tempo" — which was developed to improve transaction scalability while preserving network security. Tempo’s design marked a significant point in Radix's trajectory, as it aimed to address the transaction limitations that often hamper other blockchain networks. However, Radix seemed determined to keep evolving. Over time, Radix shifted toward its current consensus method known as "Cerberus," which enables highly parallel transactions, allowing the network to scale more effectively.
Governance and tokenomics also played an important role in the asset’s early development. The XRD token, used as the native cryptocurrency of the platform, was designed to fuel the protocol’s utility while supporting network activity. Early milestones included community-driven efforts and decentralized governance mechanisms — signaling the team’s intention that Radix would continue to take a bottom-up approach in shaping its platform’s operations.
The release of Radix's Betanet marked another key milestone. This beta phase allowed the team to stress-test the platform while involving the broader developer community. Radix’s progress over time demonstrated that it hoped to create a solution to scalability problems while allowing developers to focus more on innovation than on managing blockchain infrastructure limitations.
Radix’s continual refinement of its technology showcases its long-standing dedication to addressing the needs of DeFi and establishing itself as a blockchain designed specifically to cater to the decentralized financial world.
