# 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).