What is Kusama (KSM)?

What is Kusama (KSM)?

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The Kusama blockchain is often called “Polkadot's wild cousin”. The Kusama network is a highly interoperable and scalable blockchain platform that was established as a comprehensive solution and test network for developers.

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Kusama is based on Parity Technologies' Substrate blockchain construction kit. Kusama is based on Polkadot, one of the most popular interoperable blockchains, which is why it is called a cousin network.

Fast-paced applications can use Kusama's highly scalable, distributed network with capabilities that are not accessible on Polkadot. Kusama often refers to itself as a “canary network” because of the extended functionality that makes it perfect as a testing ground. 

However, many projects choose to stay with Kusama for their final output, even though Polkadot and other blockchains are more popular for launching projects.

Kusama is popular among early-stage entrepreneurs and experimenters because of its low entry barrier for Parachain deployment and minimal bond needs for validators.

 

Component Kusama (KSM)
Technologies XCMP
Market Capitalization $2.3 Billion+
Open-Source Yes
Consensus Mechanism Nominated Proof of Stake (NPoS)
Smart Contracts Yes
Founders/Authors Dr Gavin Wood
Launch Date 2019
Circulating Supply of Coins 8,470,098 KSM
Maximum Coin Supply None
Mining-based Coin? No
Is Kusama a Stablecoin? No
Does Kusama have a burn rate? Yes
Does Kusama have a Whitepaper? No, the white paper is currently not available. However, more information on the project can be viewed here

 

Evolution and Development of Kusama

Kusama was inspired by the goal to create a decentralized and risk-taking system that can be deployed to examine potential loopholes in the process of defining new functionality for Polkadot.

Kusama is sometimes referred to as Polkadot's cousin since it has been impossible to evict Polkadot from the tale of Kusama, even since its inception.

Kusama was developed in 2016 by Gavin Wood, Peter Czaban, and Robert Habermeier, but it was officially launched in 2019. All three founders of Kusama are the same team behind Polkadot, another popular blockchain-based project.

Wood's experience is noteworthy since he designed Solidity, the programming language used by developers to create Ethereum-based decentralized applications (DApps).

In 2015, Wood launched Parity Technologies, which effectively manages Substrate. The substrate is a software development platform for Kusama developers interested in creating parachains.

Wood is also the head of the Web 3.0 Foundation, a non-profit organization that oversaw Polkadot's token sales, generating around $200 million from investors.

 

What makes Kusama unique?

Kusama is a network designed to be a risk-taking ‘canary in the coal mine' for Polkadot. Change agents may use it to reclaim power, ignite innovation and upset the existing quo.

Kusama was created to cater to the emerging Web 3.0 community. Additionally, it has several similarities with Polkadot. It is necessary to mention how well the Kusama protocol complements the Polkadot network while remaining self-contained.

The democratic nature of the platform enables drastic adjustments. Additionally, it enables developers to establish many blockchains and connect them to a single principal network.

Additionally, Kusama utilizes the most effective and sophisticated Web 3.0 and Parity technologies.

Thus, developers may use the provided tools to rapidly construct and evaluate their proprietary blockchains before submitting them to Polkadot. Because of this, Kusama can combine the advantages of both Parachain and Relay Chain seamlessly.

The primary characteristic of Kusama is its distributed blockchains' interoperability and scalability. The most significant Polkadot and Kusama chain is the Relay Chain. Users can use their own logic to modify and interoperate with sub-blockchains.

Parity's technical tools and substrates are used in the Relay Chain. It intends to offer the network's parachains full security, consensus, and cross-chain interoperability.

Kusama connects several blockchains for a variety of purposes through a network of Parachains. As a result, it auctions off applications like Messaging, Oracles, Gaming, eSports, and Music.

On the other hand, parachains are simpler blockchains that share the security of the Relay Chain. These parachains are owned by a variety of individuals and include unique patterns. Collators maintain them inside the Polkadot and Kusama ecosystems.

These collators have complete control over a node's parachains. They transmit data from the parachains to the validators of the relay chain through new blocks.

Before adding new blocks to the relay chain, the relay chain validators will inspect and verify them.

 

What are the main uses for Kusama?

Kusama acts as a pre-production phase, often acting as a testnet for ideas that Polkadot would implement. It enhances the efficacy of applications.

Additionally, the concept integrates numerous blockchains with varying degrees of functionality into a single core network. The KSM coin is critical to the upkeep and operation of the Kusama network.

By purchasing and staking KSM, users have the right to vote on network enhancements, with each vote equal to the amount of KSM they hold.

Kusama compensates these users with freshly created KSM in proportion to the number of tokens they stake, with validators and nominators getting additional compensation.

Notable for investors, however, is the fact that KSM's supply is uncapped. Rather than that, fresh KSM coins will be issued in perpetuity at a fixed inflation rate.

 

What is the future potential for Kusama?

Since Kusama is a self-governing network with no central decision body, its users decide on its existence, updates, and adjustments. In other words, Kusama will remain if its features are needed. With more initiatives on Kusama and the success of Polkadot, the network's popularity is set to expand soon.

With funding from the Web3 Foundation in 2020, Swisscom Blockchain AG plans to build a Kubernetes Operator for Kusama and Polkadot. This technique tries to strengthen the network's security and make it less susceptible to assaults.

According to Gavin Wood, the R&D in the worldview of Kusama stands for “Risk and Danger”. To link networks and convey data between Mars and Earth, Kusama teamed up with Robonomics during its latest hackathon.

 

Price analysis on Kusama

Kusama was initially launched in 2019, and its price analysis over the past three years is as follows:

 

  2019 2020 2021 to date
KSM Price High $1.91 $71.96 $594.44
KSM Price Low $1.27 $1.07 $62.5
Market Cap $488.64M $5.03B

 

Price prediction on Kusama

Crypto researchers predict that the price for Kusama coins will climb in the next five years. It may reach $460.6600946 by 2023 and rise again in 2023-2024. According to this prognosis, Kusama is a long-term winner.

 

Which wallets are the best option for storing Kusama?

There are several KSM wallets. Mobile and online wallets facilitate transactions, while hardware wallets provide the most secure long-term storage.

The best wallets to store, send, and receive KSM funds are as follows:

  1. PolkaWallet
  2. CoolWallet
  3. Guarda Wallet
  4. Math Wallet
  5. SafePal S1

 

1. PolkaWallet: PolkaWallet is the native crypto wallet for Polkadot, which means that it is compatible with KSM coins and several others.

PolkaWallet enables cross-chain asset management, staking, governance, and numerous DeFi services. The wallet is available on mobile devices that support either iOS or Android operating systems, and it can also be downloaded as an APK on Android devices.

 

2. CoolWallet: CoolWallet is a physical device and crypto wallet that also functions as a mobile wallet. It combines the level of protection synonymous with hardware devices while incorporating convenience and portability by being Bluetooth compatible.

 

3. Guarda Wallet: Guarda Wallet is a web-based wallet that supports a wide selection of mobile, desktop, and tablet devices. In addition to this, it has an integrated exchange where users can trade the most popular cryptocurrencies.

 

4. Math Wallet: Math Wallet is a cross-platform universal cryptocurrency wallet that works on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other mobile devices.

Math Wallet supports cross-chain token trades, a multi-chain DApp store, and maintains PoS nodes. Fenbushi and FundamentalLabs are among Math Wallet's largest investors, giving it some credibility as a product and service.

 

5. SafePal S1: SafePal S1 is a mobile application accessible for iOS and Android smartphones. It enables users to securely receive, save, and transmit Polkadot (DOT).

Binance Labs is backing the hardware wallet development — 100% offline cold storage through air-gapped QR transmission signature state-of-the-art security with a self-destruct anti-tamper mechanism.

 

Where can you buy Kusama?

KSM coins can be bought, sold, and exchanged on some of the following largest cryptocurrency exchange trading platforms:

  1. Bithumb
  2. Bitvavo
  3. Bibox
  4. Tokenize
  5. Nami

 

1. Bithumb: Bithumb is a South Korean-based online cryptocurrency exchange. They were able to use their years of experience in blockchain exchange to provide facilities for dependable and precise cryptocurrency trading. This exchange allows users to trade a wide range of alternative currencies.

 

PROS CONS
The interface for the exchange is user-friendly enough that complete beginners can easily navigate it Account verification is time-consuming
The trading costs are extremely low The only supported fiat currency is KRW where deposits and withdrawals are concerned
The ISMS and OTP verification features ensure added security of crypto assets Unregulated 

 

2. Bitvavo: Bitvavo is a cryptocurrency exchange trading platform that has been operational since 2018. Bitvavo is represented in 24 countries across the globe, and it is headquartered in Amsterdam.

It is regulated by European authorities, and its operations are transparent with enticing characteristics that draw in traders and investors from around the world.

 

PROS CONS
There is no minimum investment amount with sign-up Users can only deposit/withdraw in EUR when they choose fiat currency
There is a selection of cryptocurrencies, including those with fiat currencies The AML verification is time-consuming, and it is necessary to access full functionality
There is a crypto exchange and “the exchanger” offered   
The operating commissions are lower than the market average  
There are strict account verification requirements to ensure a safe, fair, and transparent trading environment  
The exchange and platform caters for beginner traders and professionals  

 

3. Bibox: Bibox exchange was created in 2017 as a platform that offers numerous features, services, and functions to users in the crypto trading industry.

It was launched out of Singapore, and since its initial operations, the cryptocurrency exchange has grown significantly and offers impressive liquidity pools for various assets.

 

PROS CONS
Bibox is a reputable DEX with a high trust score that allows traders to start trading immediately without tedious verifications There is a lack of centralised authority which can be a problem if there are times of inactivity
There are low transaction fees charged Users can only make deposits and withdrawals in cryptocurrencies
There are more than 250 trading pairs offered across 150 alternative coins  
There are several trading services offered  
The exchange maintains a high standard of transparency and security  

 

4. Tokenize: There is no other cryptocurrency trading platform like Tokenize, which was launched in 2018. It was founded in Singapore, which is home to many cryptos, as a means of facilitating the trading and exchanging of cryptos between traders and investors.

 

PROS CONS
The withdrawal fees are minimal There are trading fees as well as withdrawal fees charged
Offers $100 million in insurance for eligible clients There are no advanced trading tools or risk management tools offered
The platform is highly secure The options with fiat-to-crypto trading are limited to Singapore
The platform supports 20 crypto assets that can be used for transactions  
There are referral program opportunities offered  
The exchange has a proprietary trading app  

 

5. Nami: Using the Nami Exchange App, users may exchange crypto-to-crypto at a reasonable cost on a wide market.

All transactions on Nami Exchange are supported by liquidity providers from the world's leading exchanges. As a result, all deals – regardless of volume – can be liquidated quickly and efficiently using the automated transfer system.

 

PROS CONS
The platform is known for its low trading cost The app is still new and has not yet been peer-reviewed or battle-tested
The platform offers a deep market environment  
The platform is a liquidity provider that ensures instant execution of trades  

You can buy Kusama safely from these cryptocurrency platforms.

Does Kusama use coin burns?

Yes. According to official Kusama documentation, if the Treasury does not spend all its money after a budget cycle, it incurs deflationary pressure, also known as a coin burn.

On Kusama, this proportion is presently 0.2%, with the money currently going to the Society rather than being burnt.

 

What is Kusama’s largest Competitor?

Kusama's largest competitor is Cosmos (ATOM).

It is possible to launch early Polkadot projects on the multi-chain Kusama network because of its scalability. Polkadot's developers worked on Kusama, and the two projects share identical code and tools.

The network gives developers early access to new features from Parity Technologies and the Web3 Foundation before they appear on Polkadot.

To fuel a network of blockchains built to grow and interconnect with each other, Cosmos (ATOM) is the coin. It is the goal of the team to construct “an Internet of Blockchains, a network of blockchain systems that can connect in a decentralized manner.”

As a chain, Cosmos is a proof-of-concept blockchain to keep the network running, and ATOM holders can stake their tokens and get more ATOM as a reward.

 

What is the Staking Process involved with Kusama?

Kusama provides three methods for creating a digital crypto wallet for staking KSM: via the Polkadot UI, using the Polka Wallet, or through the Polkadot JS staking program.

After creating a wallet, users must stake their KSM using the staking portion of their app. 

Bonded assets are immobilized on the system for the term of the bond. Once the assets have been bonded, users can submit them to up to 16 separate validators.

If any of the user's chosen validators commits an error, they will have their money sliced or fined and will lose a certain portion of their staked rewards.

 

What can Kusama smart contracts do?

While the Kusama Relay Chain itself does not support smart contracts, parachains on Kusama do. When users create a smart contract, they are effectively creating instructions for a particular chain address.

The runtime modules on Kusama contain all the logic associated with a state transition function, and while smart contracts must enable upgradeability directly, parachains can do this by using a root order or the governance pallet.

A smart contract with a native environment is distributed to a target chain. It enables developers to establish their proprietary chain's ecosystem and delegate smart contract implementation to others.

To prevent denial-of-service attacks, smart contracts should be allowed to limit their own execution. The implementation of an unending loop in a smart contract may restrict other smart contracts from leveraging the chain.

The halting problem highlights how difficult it is to forecast program termination when using a sophisticated enough language. Frontier enables a Substrate chain to conduct Ethereum operations natively using the same API/RPC that Ethereum provides on Substrate.

Existing accounts may also convert Ethereum addresses to and from the SS58 system used by Substrate. With time, more parachains will support WebAssembly smart contracts.

Additionally, it allows parachains to incorporate the Ethereum Virtual Machine, which enables near-direct Ethereum contract transfers.

 

Is Kusama a Good Investment?

Yes, Kusama is a good investment.

Kusama is a novel cryptocurrency that has swiftly garnered interest in the cryptocurrency space. It leverages ground-breaking technologies to further expand, develop and decentralise the blockchain. It also enables the creation of additional chains.

While the value has climbed significantly throughout 2023, some anticipate more improvements. Kusama's future developments and applications will determine its long-term value.

However, Kusama is a formidable force in the cryptocurrency industry and has enormous potential.

 

What is the supply and distribution of Kusama?

At the time of writing, Kusama has an 8.47 million token circulating supply and total availability of ten million tokens. Unlike certain blockchains, Kusama does not have a predetermined maximum supply. Instead, it grows at a 10% annual rate of inflation.

The percentage of KSM staked influences how freshly created KSM tokens (due to inflation) are allocated.

If precisely half of all KSM are staked, Kusama validators get 100% of newly issued tokens; if it is more than or equal to 50%, a portion of the inflation incentives will be sent to the Kusama Treasury.

Kusama was first delivered through airdrop to Polkadot (DOT) token sale participants. Individuals without DOT may get KSM through a frictional faucet, which has since been stopped. Unlike Polkadot, Kusama has not been republished to increase circulation. 

Is Kusama a viable Alternative Coin?

Yes, Kusama is one of the best alternative coins.

  • Traceability – Transactions are recorded on a public ledger, but the identity and location of users are not disclosed.
  • Hacking – Kusama has not recorded a successful hack.
  • Security – Kusama uses a powerful consensus algorithm to ensure robust security.
  • Transaction speed – Transactions are executed extremely fast on Kusama because of its unique Parachain architecture.
  • Technology – Kusama employs robust and innovative technology.
  • Potential Investment – Kusama has decent long-term investment potential if it continues to perform well.

Any cryptocurrency that isn't Bitcoin is referred to as an altcoin.

What are the differences between Kusama And Bitcoin?

Bitcoin, created in 2009, is the largest crypto in the cryptocurrency market because it was the first of its kind, with all other alternative coins being created from its code.

Bitcoin is a medium of exchange and an extremely popular store of value for beginner and professional investors. Despite controversies, Bitcoin still uses the Proof of Work consensus mechanism that uses a significant amount of energy, subsequently impacting the environment negatively.

Kusama is a lightweight and more eco-friendly option. Kusama is a programmable blockchain and a test network for Polkadot.

 

  Bitcoin Kusama
Price change 20/21 +400% +290%
Market Cap $800 Billion+ $2.3 Billion+
Past Hacks None None
Popularity Very High Low
Altcoin Rank #1 – Original Crypto #58

 

What are the differences between Kusama and Ethereum?

Ethereum is the largest programmable blockchain in the crypto market and the second-largest cryptocurrency overall. While there are several innovative projects such as Kusama, most developers prefer using Ethereum.

However, because of its rich functionality, developers choose to use Kusama as a test network before they launch their projects.

While Ethereum is vastly more popular than Kusama, the latter is a viable option for many developers, and its technology ensures that it can hold its own against larger projects.

 

  Ethereum Kusama
Price change 20/21 +880% +290%
Market Cap $460 Billion+ $2.3 Billion+
Past Hacks None None
Popularity Very High Low
Altcoin Rank #2 #58

 

What are the differences between Kusama and Dogecoin?

Dogecoin is a lot more useful than Kusama, especially considering that DOGE is a medium of exchange on popular social platforms. Kusama's utility, however, is expected to rise and soon surpass Dogecoin's.

Also, because of its age, Dogecoin is more popular among users, likely because it has been around longer than Kusama. DOGE coins cost much more to send than KSM coins.

Dogecoin transaction confirmation is also roughly 500 times slower. Dogecoin has a wider wallet variety than Kusama. Such wallets are independent of the main project team for security and updates. DOGE is now widely accepted online, but KSM is still uncommon.

 

  Dogecoin Kusama
Price change 20/21 +7,300% +290%
Market Cap $22 Billion+ $2.3 Billion+
Past Hacks None None
Popularity High Low
Altcoin Rank #12 #58

 

What are the differences between Kusama and NEO?

Neo's usefulness lead over Kusama is likely to last for a long time. Despite being older than Kusama, it is less popular among crypto users. NEO coins may cost more to transfer than KSM.

Neo’s transaction confirmation speed is ten times slower than that of Kusama. Neo has more compatible wallets than Kusama, and NEO is accepted by many online stores nowadays, while KSM is not.

While Neo's available supply of NEO coins is 71%, Kusama's is unknown/unlimited. Inflation is three times lower in Neo than in Kusama. Staking provides 3% APY for NEO and 14% APY for KSM.

 

  NEO Kusama
Price change 20/21 +160% +290%
Market Cap $1.70 Billion+ $2.3 Billion+
Past Hacks None None
Popularity Medium Low
Altcoin Rank #69 #58

 

What are the differences between Kusama and NFTs?

Nonfungible tokens (NFTs) are digital assets that each have a unique value, with no two NFTs holding the same characteristics or value as another. Kusama, on the other hand, is fungible, which means that one KSM has the same value and characteristics as another KSM.

 

What are the differences between Kusama and Solana?

Solana is a blockchain-based project, network, and ecosystem. Its worth increases as $SOL gains more projects, developers, and users overall.

Kusama is a function-rich test platform and environment for Polkadot that expands with its parachains.

Tokenomics experts prefer Kusama over Solana because voting procedures revolve around staking KSM. However, the adoption of SOL has risen lately while KSM is still quite unpopular.

 

  Solana Kusama
Price change 20/21 +9,300% +290%
Market Cap $54 Billion+ $2.3 Billion+
Past Hacks None None
Popularity Very High Low
Altcoin Rank #5 #58

 

What are the differences between Kusama and Polkadot?

The same development team is responsible for both Kusama and Polkadot's innovation. Additionally, the aims of both initiatives are almost identical.

Both systems share the same foundational code and architecture, along with underlying technology like the parity system and the cross-chain mechanism. They both follow the same governance model since they are both available to all blockchain network members, particularly holders of their native cryptocurrency.

However, some significant distinctions exist between the two techniques that set them apart. Kusama provides an experimental approach for evaluating the efficacy and viability of new ideas.

Meanwhile, Polkadot enables the immediate deployment of financial apps and breakthroughs deemed significant by Kusama.

Additionally, Kusama provides consumers with a quicker iteration process and a lower transaction rate. As a result of its changed governance architecture, it enables speedier updates, in contrast to the Polkadot network, which requires a longer launch time.

 

  Polkadot Kusama
Price change 20/21 +140% +290%
Market Cap $23.20 Billion+ $2.3 Billion+
Past Hacks None None
Popularity Very High Low
Altcoin Rank #11 #58

 

Can Kusama and Polkadot coexist?

Yes, Kusama and Polkadot can coexist.

Kusama (KSM) is an experimental proof-of-stake network built on top of the Polkadot codebase that serves as a test network for the Polkadot (DOT) ecosystem.

Kusama protects Polkadot by acting as a warning system for any faults or changes that may jeopardise the network's stability.

The Kusama network is meant to persist in perpetuity if the online community sustains it, making it an ideal location for new initiatives and high-risk investments.

Kusama is an early version of the code that would be used in Polkadot, which implies they retain the same fundamental architecture: a multichain, highly heterogeneous sharded outline that works specifically according to the Nominated Proof of Stake (NPoS).

Both networks also share critical features like on-chain management, hot-swappable runtimes enabling forkless, on-chain updates, and interoperability via Cross-Consensus Message Passing (XCM).

Governance on both Polkadot and Kusama is decentralized and permissionless, allowing everyone who holds the native token a vote in how the network is administered (DOT for Polkadot, KSM for Kusama).

Subsequently, the networks will develop independently over time, converging or diverging in response to their individual communities' choices.

 

What are parachains?

Independent layer-1 blockchains that operate in tandem with the Polkadot ecosystem on the Polkadot and Kusama Networks are called parachains.

The centre chain, or Relay Chain, secures the parachains. They also share the Polkadot ecosystem's security, scalability, governance, and interoperability.

This means that almost any asset or data may be transferred from an individual Parachain to another. Parachains may also be linked to other networks through cross-network bridges, allowing for new applications and use cases.

To put it simply, Polkadot's core Relay Chain delivers layer-0 security and interoperability and can accommodate up to 100 layer-1 chains. In terms of their characteristics, parachains can ensure the following:

  • Scalability
  • Specialization as well as Flexibility of the overall platform
  • Every Parachain can adopt any governance model
  • Interoperability
  • Slot leasing on the Relay chain
  • It ensures that costs are lower

 

Parachains are important because they can effectively solve scalability issues, in addition to several others.

Parachains offer a vast range of benefits, and they could be the next stage in development for blockchain technology across industries, especially because they are compatible with several other blockchain solutions, including oracles.