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What is Dero (DERO)?

Dero (DERO) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency and blockchain platform that combines a proof-of-work consensus mechanism with a directed acyclic graph (DAG) block structure. Launched in December 2017, Dero was developed from scratch in Golang to support millions of users with enhanced reliability, privacy, security, and usability. The project positions itself as the first CryptoNote blockchain to offer native smart contracts without relying on extra layers or secondary blockchains. DERO aims to become an industry leader through technologies such as DeroDAG, Bulletproofs, and a fully TLS-encrypted network. Balances and transactions on the DERO blockchain are private by default. The native currency, DERO, follows a Bitcoin-style issuance model with a maximum supply of 21 million coins. An initial pre-mine of two million DERO was established at network launch and is not part of the circulating supply. The project remains in an active development and refinement phase, with a focus on building working technology before pursuing large-scale marketing.

Key Specifications & Tokenomics

• Name: Dero
• Ticker/Symbol: DERO
• Consensus Mechanism: Proof-of-Work (PoW) with DAG block structure
• Smart Contracts: Yes, native-chain smart contracts
• Category: DeFi, Privacy, Smart Contracts
• Implementation Language: Golang
• Blockchain: Native DERO blockchain
• Mining Algorithm: AstroBWT (CPU-optimized, ASIC-resistant)
• Max Supply: 21,000,000 DERO
• Total Supply: 18,400,000 DERO
• Circulating Supply: Approximately 14.31 million DERO
• Pre-mine: 2,000,000 DERO (not in circulating supply)
• Average Block Time: 12 seconds
• Throughput: 75 transactions per second on the native chain
• CertiK Rating: 2.9
• Official Website: https://dero.io/
• Whitepaper: https://github.com/deroproject/documentation/blob/master/Dero_Whitepaper.pdf
• Documentation: https://docs.dero.io/
• Block Explorer: explorer.dero.io
• Community Forum: forum.dero.io
• GitHub: https://github.com/deroproject/derohe

Who created Dero?

Dero was launched in December 2017 by a team of three full-time developers. The team operates anonymously but claims that each core member has over a decade of experience in cryptography, with additional years of blockchain development experience on top. Given the project's complexity — including the design of an entirely new consensus mechanism in Golang — it is noted that Dero was likely created by individuals with extensive hands-on cryptography expertise. A published interview with the team lead and head developer is available on Medium. Detailed public information about the founding team's identities is currently limited, which is a characteristic common to several privacy-focused cryptocurrency projects.

How does Dero work?

Dero operates on a unique architecture that merges proof-of-work consensus with a DAG block structure. The network builds a main chain from a DAG network of blocks, which includes both main blocks and side blocks. Side blocks contribute to chain proof-of-work security, making traditional 51% attacks impossible. Unlike traditional blockchains where the block is the smallest unit of computation, Dero treats the transaction as the smallest unit. As a result, blocks on Dero can contain duplicate or double-spend transactions, but these are filtered by the client protocol and ignored by the network. Privacy is achieved through the CryptoNote protocol, which conceals the sender and receiver of transactions. Dero is also the first blockchain to implement complete SSL/TLS encryption across its peer-to-peer layer, encrypting all network traffic and shielding it from analysis by internet service providers. The network processes transactions with a twelve-second average block time and achieves 75 transactions per second on its native chain without relying on scaling solutions like lightning networks. Bulletproofs are implemented at ten times the normal speed, reducing the space required for zero-knowledge range proofs. Smart contracts on Dero preserve privacy while remaining fast, secure, and accessible.

What makes Dero unique and valuable?

Dero distinguishes itself through several technical innovations. It is described as the first crypto project to combine a proof-of-work blockchain with a DAG block structure and wholly anonymous transactions. The project aims to be a revolutionary improvement over existing privacy coins like Monero and Z-Cash by combining the best of both consensus mechanisms. Dero's DeroDAG technology, Bulletproofs implementation, and TLS-encrypted network collectively provide a strong privacy and security foundation. The project is also the first CryptoNote blockchain to have smart contracts on its native chain without any extra layers or secondary blockchains. Its AstroBWT mining algorithm is CPU-optimized and ASIC-resistant, promoting decentralization in mining. The transaction-as-smallest-unit model and side-block security mechanism make traditional majority hashrate attacks infeasible. Dero's development team followed a "build it and they will come" approach, prioritizing working technology over marketing, which has resulted in a functional and technically sophisticated platform.

What is Dero used for?

DERO serves as the native currency of the Dero blockchain. Users can generate DERO through the process of mining. The coin is used to pay for transactions, smart contract execution, and other network operations. Beyond basic transfers, Dero's privacy features and smart contract capabilities enable use cases that require confidentiality, such as voting services, escrow services, and address certification or verification. The platform is designed to serve businesses and individuals worldwide by supporting secure, fast, and anonymous transactions and smart contract execution. DERO can be traded on various cryptocurrency exchanges and swapped through decentralized platforms. Popular conversion pairs include DERO to AUD, BRL, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, RUB, SGD, TWD, and KRW.

How Is the Dero ecosystem developing?

The Dero ecosystem is built around its core technologies: DeroDAG, Bulletproofs, TLS-encrypted networking, and native smart contracts. The project has established a minimum viable product and continues to refine its protocol. Development activity is visible through the project's GitHub repositories, including derohe and derosuite. The Dero community interacts through the official forum at forum.dero.io and other social channels. The project has been referenced in third-party research and media, including a CrowdStrike blog post about a cryptojacking campaign targeting Kubernetes infrastructure in March 2023, and a Reddit discussion on potential deanonymization vectors in the r/CryptoTechnology community. A Medium article by Azylem published in 2024 described DERO as "unparalleled, industry-flipping blockchain technology." The ecosystem remains focused on privacy, security, and smart contract functionality, with ongoing efforts to formalize the protocol and engage with the wider cryptographic community for peer review.

How to mine Dero?

Dero uses the AstroBWT mining algorithm, which is CPU-optimized and ASIC-resistant. This design allows individual miners to participate using standard computer processors, promoting greater decentralization compared to ASIC-dominated networks. Mining DERO requires a computer with a compatible CPU and mining software configured for the AstroBWT algorithm. Miners contribute computational power to secure the network and validate transactions, earning DERO as a reward. The DAG block structure and side-block mechanism mean that mining security is enhanced beyond traditional chain-only models. The twelve-second average block time ensures relatively frequent reward distribution. Detailed mining guides and software resources are available through the project's official documentation and community channels.

How to keep your Dero Coin safe?

Keeping DERO safe requires adherence to standard cryptocurrency security practices. Use official wallets provided or recommended by the Dero project, and always download wallet software from verified sources such as the official website or GitHub repository. Store private keys and seed phrases offline in a secure location, and never share them with anyone. For larger holdings, consider using hardware wallets if supported, or maintain a dedicated offline computer for key management. Enable two-factor authentication on any exchange accounts used to trade DERO. Be cautious of phishing attempts and fake websites that mimic official Dero resources. Verify the authenticity of any smart contracts or decentralized applications before interacting with them. Since Dero emphasizes privacy, ensure that your network environment does not compromise your anonymity. Regularly update your wallet software to benefit from the latest security patches. Remember that investing in crypto-assets carries significant market risk, including extreme volatility and the potential loss of capital.