Cardano, a blockchain platform often referred to as an "Ethereum killer," is making strides in smart contracts and scalability. The network, created in 2017, aims to challenge Ethereum's dominance in the dApp space with a focus on scalability, security, and energy efficiency. Recent developments such as Hydra and an increase in smart contracts have bolstered Cardano's position as a competitor to Ethereum. While Cardano still trails behind Ethereum in terms of adoption and dApp ecosystem, it has the potential to become a major player with continued progress and widespread adoption.