What is Canton (CC)?
Canton (CC) is a blockchain built for institutional finance. It has built-in privacy—transactions are only visible to the parties involved. Goldman Sachs, DTCC, Deutsche Börse, and Microsoft back the project. It's designed for tokenizing real-world assets like Treasury bonds.
Key Facts
What is Canton?
Canton is a Layer 1 blockchain built for banks, asset managers, and other financial institutions. Its main feature is built-in privacy. Transaction details stay between the parties involved—no one else on the network can see them.
This is different from Bitcoin or Ethereum, where all data is public. For regulated markets, that privacy matters. Canton uses Daml, a smart contract language that controls exactly who can see and act on data.
Canton Coin (CC) is the network's utility token. You use it to pay fees and earn rewards as a validator or developer.
Who Created Canton? A Brief History
Digital Asset
Digital Asset built Canton. The company was founded in 2014 by Yuval Rooz, Eric Saraniecki, and Shaul Kfir. They came from quant trading (DRW, Citadel) and cryptography research. Digital Asset created Daml, the smart contract language major banks now use. Canton is the public network where Daml apps can work together.
Key Milestones
- • May 2023: Canton announced with 30+ institutional participants.
- • July 2024: Mainnet goes live.
- • November 2025: CC trading starts on 11 exchanges.
- • 2025–2026: DTCC picks Canton for U.S. Treasury tokenization.
Digital Asset raised $135 million to push adoption.
Governance
The Global Synchronizer Foundation runs under the Linux Foundation. This keeps control neutral—no single company, including Digital Asset, can dictate the network's direction. Validators help make decisions.
How Canton Works
Canton keeps transactions private while syncing apps across a shared network. Only the parties in a deal see the details.
Daml Smart Contracts
Canton uses Daml, a smart contract language built for multi-party workflows. Daml spells out exactly who sees what and who can act. This is different from Ethereum's Solidity or Sui's Move, where on-chain data is public by default.
The Global Synchronizer
The Global Synchronizer connects apps across Canton. It coordinates transactions, keeps things atomic, and syncs in real time. Assets move between apps without custom bridges.
Two-Tier Consensus
Canton splits consensus into two layers. Validators handle transactions within domains. Super validators coordinate across the Global Synchronizer for network-wide finality. This setup scales horizontally while keeping contracts interoperable.
Tokenomics
Canton uses burn-mint equilibrium:
- • All fees get burned, not paid out.
- • New CC is minted as rewards for validators and developers.
- • ~100 billion CC over the first 10 years, then 2.5 billion/year after.
- • No pre-mine or pre-sale. All CC is earned.
How to Stake Canton
Validators and Super Validators
Validators process transactions within domains. Super validators coordinate across the Global Synchronizer. Both earn CC rewards for their work.
Rewards
New CC gets minted on a schedule for validators, super validators, and app developers. Over time, more rewards flow to apps that drive real activity on the network.
Developer Rewards
Canton also rewards app developers. The more transactions your app generates, the more CC you earn. This ties developer incentives to network growth.
Why Canton Has Value
CC is the utility token for a network built to handle trillions in real-world assets. More transactions mean more CC burned, which creates demand.
Canton leads all Layer 1s in RWA value. It generates more fees than Solana, Ethereum, or BNB. DTCC chose Canton for U.S. Treasury tokenization—that's a big signal given DTCC handles most U.S. securities.
Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Börse, Deloitte, Microsoft, and others back the project. Few blockchains have this level of institutional credibility. But CC still carries the usual crypto risks: volatility, regulatory shifts, and execution risk.
How to Buy Canton
CC trades on several global exchanges. Compare fees and fund your account to buy.
1Compare providers
CC is on Bybit, OKX, Gate.io, KuCoin, and others. Bybit has the most volume right now. Compare fees, spreads, and payment options.
2Create an account
Sign up and complete KYC with government ID. Turn on 2FA for security.
3Fund your account
Bank transfer is cheaper but slower. Card is instant but costs more. You can also deposit crypto.
4Buy CC
Market order buys instantly. Limit order lets you set a target price. Start small to learn the process.
5Withdraw to your wallet
For safety, move CC to a personal wallet. Check compatibility with Canton Network first.
Next step: Compare CC providers in your country to find the best price.
How to Store Canton
Wallet Options
Canton is newer, so wallet options are still developing. Check the Canton Network website for current recommendations.
Exchange Wallets
Keeping CC on Bybit or OKX is convenient for trading. But they hold your keys. Turn on 2FA, withdrawal whitelists, and email confirmations.
Security
For self-custody, write your recovery phrase on paper. Store it offline. Never share it or type it into websites. Split larger holdings across multiple wallets.
How to Use Canton (CC)
Pay Fees
CC pays for transactions, smart contracts, and cross-app operations on the Global Synchronizer. Every action needs CC, which ties demand to network activity.
Validate and Earn
Run a validator or delegate to one. You earn CC rewards while helping secure the network.
RWA Exposure
Canton is the go-to platform for institutional RWA tokenization. DTCC is using it for U.S. Treasuries. Holding CC gives you exposure to one of the fastest-growing blockchain sectors.
Risks
CC has the usual crypto risks: volatility, security, regulation. Plus:
- • Canton is new (mainnet July 2024). Execution risk is real.
- • Institutional adoption may take longer than expected.
- • Other RWA platforms compete for the same market.
- • Value depends on burning more CC than is minted over time.
Notable People in Canton
Digital Asset built Canton. Here are the key people behind it.
Yuval Rooz
CEO of Digital Asset. Leads the vision for tokenized financial markets. Oversaw Daml and Canton development.
Shaul Kfir
Co-founder and COO. Background in zero-knowledge proofs at Technion. Co-founded Bits of Gold and co-authored libsnark (key ZK library).
Eric Saraniecki
Co-founder. Built trading platforms at DRW. Co-founded Cumberland Mining, an early institutional crypto desk.
Blythe Masters
Former CEO (2015–2018). Ex-JPMorgan executive. Brought institutional credibility and early bank partnerships.
Regulation Overview for Canton
Built for Regulated Markets
Most blockchains were built for permissionless, anonymous use. Canton was built for regulated finance. Its privacy model—only parties in a transaction see the details—fits existing financial rules instead of clashing with them.
Country Rules
- • United States: CC trades on global exchanges. Capital gains rules apply. DTCC's partnership suggests regulatory comfort.
- • Canada: Legal. Capital gains tax applies.
- • Australia: Legal. Capital gains tax applies.
CC is new, so rules may evolve. Always check local regulations.
Institutional Backing
Goldman Sachs, DTCC, Deutsche Börse, Deloitte, and Microsoft back Canton. The Global Synchronizer Foundation runs under the Linux Foundation. This level of institutional oversight is rare in crypto and may help with regulatory acceptance.
FAQs About Canton (CC)
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