> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dfns.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cardano

> Network-specific features, signature kinds, supported assets, and integration requirements for Cardano wallets on the Dfns platform.

Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain with a UTXO-based model. This guide covers Cardano-specific features when using Dfns wallets.

## UTXO model

Cardano uses a **UTXO model** similar to Bitcoin, but with a key difference: a single UTXO can hold multiple assets (ADA and native tokens).

### Multi-asset UTXOs

Each UTXO can contain:

* Native ADA
* Multiple native tokens (similar to ERC-20)
* NFTs

<Note>
  When you receive multiple tokens in a single transaction, they are stored together in one UTXO.
</Note>

## Minimum UTXO value

Cardano requires a **minimum ADA amount** in each UTXO. This amount is proportional to the number of assets the UTXO holds.

| UTXO contents         | Approximate minimum ADA          |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| ADA only              | \~1 ADA                          |
| ADA + 1 token         | \~1.5 ADA                        |
| ADA + multiple tokens | Higher (scales with token count) |

<Warning>
  Holding many different tokens increases your minimum ADA requirement. Ensure you have enough ADA to cover the holding cost for all your assets.
</Warning>

## Transfers

Use the [Transfer Asset](/api-reference/wallets/transfer-asset) endpoint for Cardano transfers:

* **Native ADA**: Use `kind: Native` with amount in lovelace (1 ADA = 1,000,000 lovelace)
* **Native tokens**: Use the appropriate token kind with the policy ID and asset name

### Single asset transfers

Dfns transfers **one asset at a time**. If you need to send multiple assets together, use the [Broadcast Transaction](/api-reference/wallets/sign-and-broadcast-transaction) endpoint to construct a custom transaction.

## Webhooks

When a UTXO contains multiple assets, Dfns generates **one webhook per asset**. This means a single transaction may trigger multiple webhook notifications.

## SDK integration

For full transaction control, use the Dfns SDK with [MeshSDK](https://meshjs.dev/). See the [MeshSDK integration example](https://github.com/dfns/dfns-sdk-ts/blob/m/examples/libs/meshsdk/basic-tx/main.ts).

## Related resources

* [Cardano broadcast examples](/api-reference/broadcast/cardano)
* [Cardano signing examples](/api-reference/sign/cardano)
* [Supported networks](/networks)
* [Cardano documentation](https://docs.cardano.org/)