# Architecture

## Overview

The Planq blockchain protocol is an [open-source project](https://github.com/planq-network/planq) based on:

* [Ethermint](https://github.com/evmos/ethermint), an open-source Cosmos application module that allows the portability of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), its go-ethereum client, and its solidity-based smart contracts to the Cosmos ecosystem.
* [Cosmos SDK](https://v1.cosmos.network/sdk), the leading development framework to build interoperable sovereign blockchains.
* [Tendermint’s](https://docs.tendermint.com/) Core BFT Proof-of-Stake consensus engine, a scalable and energy-efficient blockchain consensus.

The open-source Planq blockchain protocol is fast, cheap, and energy-efficient.

Going forward, Planq aims to leverage the best of what the Ethereum/EVM and Cosmos ecosystems both have to offer for end-users and developers.

## **Open-source project**

Please visit the [GitHub repository](https://github.com/planq-network/planq) to contribute to the Planq blockchain protocol.

## **Consensus**

The Planq consensus is commonly referred to as a proof-of-stake (POS) consensus.

Please refer to the [Planq repository](https://github.com/planq-network/planq) for details.

Tendermint was selected by Planq as the underlying technology for several reasons:

* Backed by [formal research](https://eprint.iacr.org/2018/574.pdf)
* Robustly tested [implementation](http://jepsen.io/analyses/tendermint-0-10-2)
* Strong track record: Tendermint has been in continuous development since 2014, and has been adopted by several high-profile [projects](https://forum.cosmos.network/t/list-of-projects-in-cosmos-tendermint-ecosystem/243)
* Modular architecture: It offers flexibility regarding which applications are developed on top of it, and how they are developed.

## Further reading

Follow [this link](https://docs.planq.network/planq-chain-protocol/planq-general-faq) for more information about the Planq chain protocol.