Hedera (HBAR) is a public distributed ledger designed for fast, secure, and energy-efficient decentralized applications. Unlike most cryptocurrencies, Hedera does not use a traditional blockchain. Instead, it relies on the Hashgraph consensus algorithm, which enables high transaction throughput, low fees, and fast finality while consuming very little energy. The network supports smart contracts, token creation, decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, digital identity, and enterprise applications. Its native cryptocurrency, HBAR, is used to pay transaction fees, secure the network through staking, and power decentralized applications. Hedera is also known for its unique governance model, overseen by the Hedera Governing Council, which consists of leading organizations from around the world. With its focus on performance, sustainability, and developer-friendly tools such as Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, Hedera has become a popular platform for both businesses and the broader Web3 ecosystem.