Table of Contents
ToggleIn the Web3 world, if Polkadot is like an "official operating system", then Kusama is the free experimental environment where the boldest ideas are tested before entering the big stage. Kusama is not simply a testnet, but a real blockchain network with its own token, community, and practical applications. What makes this project special? Let's explore with Allinstation through the article below!
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Overview of KSM Token and Tokenomics
Basic Information
- Token Name: Kusama
- Ticker: KSM
- Blockchain: Kusama
- Token type: Utility, Governance
- Consensus: Nominated Proof of Stake (NPoS)
- Total Supply: 10,000,000 KSM
- Circulating Supply: 8,980,098 KSM
Token Distribution and Release Schedule
| Component | Amount (Token) | % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private | 20,100,000 | 33.5% | Price $0.10 – 7.5% unlocked at TGE, linear vesting after month 1 (10%/month) |
| Treasury | 6,000,000 | 10% | 10% unlocked at TGE+14 days, remaining 5% vesting each month |
| Marketing & Development | 9,000,000 | 15% | Locked 1 month – vesting starts from month 2, linear |
| Team | 3,000,000 | 5% | Locked 12 months – 20% vesting each quarter (4 quarters) |
| Community Incentives | 11,100,000 | 18.5% | No specific unlock conditions (potentially flexible distribution) |
| Advisor | 2,700,000 | 4.5% | Locked 6 months – then gradually vesting 5% each month |
| Seed Sale | 5,100,000 | 8.5% | Price $0.06 – 5% unlocked at TGE, 10%/month vesting after first month |
| Public Sale | 1,800,000 | 3% | Price $0.12 – 20% unlocked at TGE, linear vesting 10%/month |
| Float Liquidity | 1,200,000 | 2% | Price $0.12 – fully unlocked at TGE |
Token Utilities
- Governance: Propose and vote on network changes.
- Staking: Receive rewards when staking and nominating validators.
- Transaction Fees: Payment within the Kusama system.
- Parachain Auctions: Used to lock support for projects in slot auctions.
Roadmap
Q1-2/2025: Enhancing Infrastructure and Interoperability
- Moving Functions to Asset Hub: Kusama begins transferring core functions like staking, governance, and balances from Relay Chain to Asset Hub. This aims to reduce Relay Chain load and improve developer experience. Testing begins in late 2024, with completion targeted for Kusama in Q2/2025 and Polkadot in Q3/2025.
- Incognitee Development: Integritee Network continues developing Incognitee, a data security solution, with Mainnet launch on Polkadot Assethub (Beta version) and TEER bridge from Kusama to Polkadot.
Q3-4/2025: Expanding Real-World Applications and Community
- Regional Parachain Deployment: Virto introduces regional parachain architecture, optimized for local transactions and daily user interactions. These parachains enable quick and secure transactions, such as dUSD payments at points of sale without Visa/Mastercard infrastructure.
- Enhancing Decentralized Governance: Kreivo continues as the governance center, while regional parachains operate as super DAOs, managed by local communities. This hierarchical structure facilitates effective coordination between regional and local governance.
Kusama's Project Team, Investors, and Partners
Project Team
Kusama is developed by Parity Technologies – a blockchain software company founded by Gavin Wood. Gavin Wood is the former Ethereum CTO and creator of the Solidity programming language. He is also the founder of Polkadot, and Kusama is considered the "canary network" (live testing network) for Polkadot.
Although Kusama has its own community and token (KSM), it shares the technical architecture, development team, and Substrate platform technology with Polkadot. Engineers, researchers, and security experts at Parity play a direct role in operating and upgrading the Kusama network.
Investors
Unlike many crypto projects, Kusama did not raise funds through separate VC rounds. Instead, KSM tokens were distributed fairly through airdrops and parachain auctions.
Partners
The Kusama ecosystem has grown strongly with many strategic partners, including:
- Parachain Integration Projects: Moonriver (MOVR), Karura (KAR), Shiden Network (SDN), Khala Network (PHA), Bifrost (BNC), Bit.Country Pioneer
- Technical Infrastructure and Connectivity: Substrate, Web3 Foundation, Polkadot JS / Talisman / SubWallet / Nova Wallet
Perspectives on Kusama
Kusama is an ideal testing ground for Web3 developers, providing robust infrastructure, a dynamic community, and superior deployment speed. With its "chaotic but constructive" approach, Kusama plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the Polkadot ecosystem and Web3 in general.
Summary
Kusama is not just a "test version" of Polkadot but also an independent blockchain network, pioneering technological innovation and decentralized governance. As a breeding ground for breakthrough ideas, Kusama is making significant contributions to Web3 development.
