# Introduction Lycan Chain is a community-owned, Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-based network operated by a diverse set of validators distributed globally. It leverages Parity's Authority Round (AuRa) proof-of-authority (PoA) consensus model, ensuring efficient and secure block validation. In this model, blocks are appended through a collaborative process involving selected validators. Lycan Chain will implement a DAO governance mechanism, enabling anyone to participate in decision-making processes concerning the network's development and future. Creating dApps and integrating with Lycan Chain products is similar to working with any other EVM-based blockchain. More details can be found in the [protocol specification](https://docs.lycanchain.com/chain-specifications). Validators in Lycan Chain are chosen through the POSDAO (Proof of Stake Decentralized Autonomous Organization) delegated Proof of Stake (DPOS) process. They take turns signing blocks in a round-robin fashion. Once a block is signed, it is broadcast to all validators. The block is added to the chain if the majority validate its legitimacy. This ensures a new block is appended every 3 seconds, maintaining network efficiency even if no transactions occur within that period. The POSDAO framework's pluggable consensus feature allows for future integration of different or additional consensus mechanisms. [Learn more in the Whitepaper](https://lycan-chain.gitbook.io/lycan-chain-whitepaper) View the current Lycan validator pools in the [Staking Application](https://staking.lycanchain.com). --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.lycanchain.com/introduction.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.