Mina is a uniquely designed cryptocurrency that aims to address blockchain bloat by maintaining a lightweight chain. Launched by Evan Shapiro and Izaak Meckler, Mina Protocol's fundamental innovation is its use of zk-SNARKs, a type of cryptographic proof which allows it to remain perpetually sized at a minuscule 22 kilobytes. This empowers users to quickly sync with the network. Mina is often referred to as a succinct blockchain, providing decentralisation and security without the traditionally heavy data load. The protocol is particularly focused on accessibility, allowing anyone to operate a full node, thereby enhancing inclusivity and fostering a permissionless ecosystem where applications, or “Snapps,” can interact with real-world data privately and securely.