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Integrate Cardano

A starting point for exchanges, custodians, and listing platforms adding support for ada and native assets.

Integrating Cardano means accepting ada deposits, processing withdrawals, and monitoring the chain for customer activity. Cardano also supports native tokens directly at the ledger level, so an integration covers both ada and a wide range of other assets.


The moving parts​
cardano-node
The underlying Cardano node that participates in the network. Every integration runs on top of it, directly or through a managed provider.
cardano-rosetta-java
The Cardano Foundation's recommended path for exchanges. A standardized Mesh API that bundles the node, submit API, and indexer in one package. cardano-wallet is an alternative for smaller operators but is currently in maintenance-only mode.
cardano-db-sync and cardano-graphql
Queryable blockchain data for balances, transaction history, and confirmations. Useful for dashboards, monitoring, and back-office reporting.
Cardano Token Registry
Off-chain metadata for native assets, including ticker, decimals, and logo. Needed for accurate display and correct fractional accounting.

How the flow looks

A typical exchange keeps individual deposit addresses per customer and consolidates funds into a centralized withdrawal wallet. Four phases summarize the lifecycle.

1. Generate deposit addresses
One address per customer, created from the exchange's own keys, so every incoming transaction maps to a single account.
2. Monitor the chain
Watch for incoming transactions to those addresses, wait for the expected confirmation depth, and credit customer balances.
3. Consolidate funds
Periodically move deposits into a centralized withdrawal wallet, so outgoing traffic can be served from a single, well-controlled location.
4. Process withdrawals
Build, sign, and submit outgoing transactions on customer request. Signing stays offline when using cardano-rosetta-java together with a dedicated signing library.

Read the wallet management workflow in detail →

Cardano supports native tokens directly at the ledger level, with no smart contract required. Deposit addresses can receive ada and tokens in the same transaction, so an integration should be ready to recognize and credit both. Learn how to handle native assets →

Exchange integration guide

Step-by-step guidance for custodians and listing platforms. Covers the accounting model, transaction handling, native assets, and upgrade practices.

Read the full guide

Integration components overview

A shorter reference listing the components used to integrate Cardano into websites, services, and back-office systems.

Browse the components

Explore more integrations

Exchange integration is one of several paths. The developer portal also covers adjacent use cases that often come up alongside custody.

Payments
Accepting ada and tokens at the point of sale, in-app, or through a merchant gateway.
Wallet authentication
Using a Cardano wallet to sign in to applications without storing passwords.
Oracles
Bringing off-chain data, such as prices and events, on-chain for smart contracts to consume.

Talk to the Cardano Foundation's Core Integrations team

Reach out for tailored support, real-time updates, and integration queries.

Contact the Core Integrations team