Kusama, often called “Polkadot’s Canary Network“, is a blockchain project that serves a unique purpose within the expanding Polkadot ecosystem.
As its nickname suggests, Kusama acts as a testing ground for innovations and applications before they make the leap to Polkadot’s mainnet. This allows developers to work out any kinks or unforeseen issues in a real-world environment.
While Kusama shares much of Polkadot’s technical architecture and capabilities, its increased tolerance for risk and faster governance cycle enable it to pioneer new developments at a quicker pace.
Anyone looking to get their hands dirty with the latest Polkadot innovations would be wise to start with Kusama. So what exactly is Kusama and how can you get involved? Let’s explore the ins and outs of this intriguing project.
What is the purpose of Kusama (KSM)?
Kusama’s native cryptocurrency, KSM, fuels the network and allows participants to engage with its features. Holders can stake their KSM to validate transactions and earn rewards or delegate their coins to others doing the same.
KSM is also used to participate in Kusama’s governance by proposing and voting on referendums to guide the network’s evolution.
Businesses can bid KSM tokens to secure a parachain slot, essentially renting dedicated blockchain space secured by Kusama. This “parachain” model allows various blockchains to securely coexist and interoperate through the shared Kusama relay chain.
KSM powers participation, governance, and the addition of new decentralized services to the Kusama network.
How does Kusama (KSM) work?
Technically, Kusama incorporates the same basic architecture as Polkadot – a relay chain working in parallel with application-specific blockchains called parachains. The relay chain processes and secures transactions for all parachains using a proof-of-stake model.
Kusama validators stake their KSM to validate blocks and secure the network in exchange for rewards. Parachains connect to share security from the relay chain while focusing on diverse programmable services.
Developers can build dApps targeting specific parachains and even port them between chains later on. Cross-chain communication and asset transfers are also possible through bridges.
All this interconnected innovation is what leads many to view Polkadot and its sibling Kusama as the future of Web 3.0.
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Does Kusama (KSM) have a future?
Given its purpose of being an experimental testbed for innovations before they are rolled out on Polkadot, Kusama is sure to have a bright future so long as Polkadot itself continues growing.
Its increased risk tolerance means that the latest network upgrades and applications will debut on Kusama first. As such, it may remain the dominant testingground for Web 3 projects for years to come.
When Kusama (KSM) launched?
The Kusama network launched on October 13, 2019 with an initial coin offering for the KSM token mirroring Polkadot’s token sale methodology.
This ensured that Early adopters who participated in Polkadot’s crowd sale in 2017 received bonus KSM tokens proportionate to their DOT holdings. The project has succeeded in establishing an active community dedicated to advancing decentralized technologies.
Is Kusama (KSM) a scam?
Absolutely not. Kusama is developed by the highly respected Web3 Foundation, led by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood. It serves an important role within the long-term Polkadot project roadmap to facilitate experimentation and risk-taking.
KSM tokens are also already tradable on major centralized and decentralized exchanges. So while cryptocurrency inherently carries risks, calling Kusama a scam is simply inaccurate.
Is it safe to invest in Kusama (KSM)?
Like any cryptocurrency investment, purchasing KSM tokens involves risks. However, with its blue-chip development team and integral function within the Polkadot ecosystem, Kusama appears reasonably safe relative to more speculative cryptoassets.
To minimize hazards, only invest funds one can afford to lose and hold tokens in a secure personal wallet rather than an exchange. Staking KSM also earns extra yield while contributing to network security. Kusama appears a justifiable long-term hold for blockchain enthusiasts.
Is Kusama (KSM) worth it? KSM Price 2024
With the rapid crypto bull runs of 2021 still fresh in our minds, observers wondered if KSM’s price could surge similarly as it had yet to separate from its origins as solely a “Polkadot token”. Fast forward to 2024, and KSM is proving itself a force in its own right.
Active development and early adoption of innovations on the Kusama network have led to ballooning transaction volumes and a dedicated community.
The price, while volatile, has trended upwards over time in line with Kusama’s maturation. For those bullish on blockchain’s future, KSM offers an entrance at the ground level of an important project.
Where to buy Kusama (KSM)?
Kusama’s KSM token is available for purchase on both centralized and decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges. Major centralized exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, KuCoin and Gate.io support KSM trading against fiat currencies and stablecoins.
Decentralized options include Sushiswap and Uniswap, though they only offer KSM trading pairs against other cryptocurrencies due to regulatory limitations. As with any cryptocurrency purchase, buyers should exercise due diligence regarding exchange selection and security practices.
How to sell Kusama (KSM)?
Selling accumulated KSM follows similar steps to acquisition in reverse. As Kusama remains an actively developed project, holders may wish to stake their funds for passive income or utilize Kusama’s upcoming capabilities such as parachain auctions prior to liquidating tokens.
When the time comes, KSM can be sold through the centralized or decentralized exchange employed during the initial buy. Again, personal security and confirming the appropriate wallet address are important final steps before confirming any on-chain cryptocurrency sale.
How to stake Kusama (KSM)?
Staking Kusama is straightforward on supported non-custodial wallets like Polkadot.js, Polkawallet or Fearless Wallet. Users bond a minimum threshold of KSM, selecting trusted validators to delegate staking power.
Validators process network transactions, including governance, in exchange for block rewards shared with delegators. Periodically, delegations and nominations can be adjusted based on validator performance.
Staking introduces steady passive income streams while supporting network security through proof-of-stake consensus.
How to mine Kusama (KSM)?
Unlike coins like Bitcoin mineable through computational guessing, Kusama is not mined but rather earned through staking. There is no concept of “mining” KSM tokens as new coins are introduced deterministically over time as block rewards to validators securing the network.
While experimental in spirit, the Kusama network is designed sustainably without expending electricity on useless computations. Therefore, staking KSM is the only supported way for individuals to earn more tokens within the ecosystem.