Cardano has processed over 134,000 transactions per second (tps), marking a significant milestone in the platform’s development. Charles Hoskinson, CEO of Input Output Global (IOG), shared his enthusiasm on X, stating, “Not bad Cardano. #HailHydra,” alongside a screenshot displaying 134,464 tps.

Not bad Cardano. #HailHydra pic.twitter.com/eizTRjc9Ii

— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) December 3, 2024

When a user inquired whether this feat was achieved on the testnet, Hoskinson clarified that it was “Hydra Doom,” explaining that “every frame of the game is a transaction. As people play, that’s the output.” This surge in transactions is directly linked to the ongoing $100,000 Hydra Doom Tournament hosted by Input Output, which commenced today.

Cardano Hosts $100,000 Doom Tournament

On December 2, during a pre-event test, Cardano had already hit 28,500 tps. Hoskinson had hinted at the network’s capacity by noting that “Cardano is running some BIG loads right now.” The Hydra Doom Tournament serves both as a competitive gaming platform and a live demonstration of Cardano’s Layer 2 scalability solution, Hydra.

According to Input Output’s announcement, the tournament aims to “unite thousands of players worldwide in a competitive showcase of gaming classic Doom running on the Cardano blockchain, powered by the groundbreaking scaling solution Hydra.” Participants battle against AI bots designed to push the Hydra protocol to new limits of throughput and speed, highlighting the protocol’s incredible performance and security.

Notable figures from the gaming and entertainment industries are participating in the event, including Twitch creator PotasticP, multi-platinum hip-hop artist MIMS—known for the hit song “This Is Why I’m Hot”—former DOOM 3 champion and Esports Hall of Famer Fatal1ty, and actor Chris Pang of “Crazy Rich Asians” fame. Esteemed esports personalities Dgon and Raynday are hosting the event.

Hoskinson emphasized the tournament’s blend of innovation and competition, expressing that they are “thrilled to host the Hydra Doom tournament, bringing together players from across the globe for an unforgettable showdown.” He highlighted that this event is “not just about the thrill of competition or the substantial cash prize for winners; it’s a rare chance to be part of something historic.”

Hoskinson further elaborated: “With Hydra’s power, we’re pushing gaming to new limits, with the aim of reaching up to a million transactions per second, and setting the stage for the future of high-speed, blockchain-enabled gaming. We invite players everywhere to join us, test their skills, and take part in a groundbreaking moment for both gaming and technology.”

The tournament features global online qualifiers, allowing players to join during a two-hour window today to compete for a share of the $100,000 prize pool. The top players from the online tournament will advance to the finals in Las Vegas in January 2025, where they’ll compete live at a professional esports arena.

Hydra is Cardano’s Layer 2 scalability solution, developed through peer-reviewed research. Engineered to deliver high transaction speeds, instant finality, and minimal costs, Hydra aims to set the stage for Cardano’s mass adoption.

At press time, ADA traded at $1.1958.