Cardano's Alonzo Upgrade

The Cardano Alonzo upgrade introduced smart contract functionality to the platform, enabling it to run decentralized applications (dApps) and automate transactions securely on its blockchain. This enhancement allows developers to build and deploy complex programs directly on Cardano, making the network more versatile and competitive with other blockchain platforms. The upgrade aimed to improve scalability, security, and sustainability, positioning Cardano as a more capable environment for innovative blockchain solutions.