Hedera (HBAR) is an open-source, public-permissioned Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain network. It is governed by 30 global organizations, known as the Hedera Council, with input on the network’s features and ecosystem standards from the community via Hedera Improvement Proposals (HIPs). Members of the Council operate Hedera’s validator nodes while the network transitions to fully permissionless node operation. Although Hedera's Network operation is currently permissioned in nature, the division of responsibility across each of the 30 geographically and industry-diversified (collusion-proof) council members is unique among public DLTs.