{"id":"kusama","title":"Kusama","content":"**Kusama** is a multi-chain network that facilitates early-stage deployment and experimentation for projects intended for the [Polkadot](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polkadot) ecosystem. Developed with Substrate, a [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) framework by Parity Technologies, Kusama closely mirrors the Polkadot codebase while offering a more adaptable environment for testing and iteration.[[5]](#cite-id-ov66on0hqak)[[6]](#cite-id-jwt3qwl8h3)[[1]](#cite-id-qxi0mazflc)\n\n# Overview\n\nKusama functions as a testing ground for [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) developers, providing an environment with lower entry barriers for deploying parachains and reduced bond requirements for [validators](https://iq.wiki/wiki/validator). The network operates on a heterogeneously-sharded, multichain architecture using a nominated proof-of-stake (NPoS) [consensus](https://iq.wiki/wiki/consensus-mechanism) system.\n\nThis system allows for energy-efficient operations compared to traditional [proof-of-work (PoW)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/proof-of-work-pow) models and supports on-chain upgrades without the need for [forks](https://iq.wiki/wiki/fork). Additionally, Kusama enables cross-chain communication through its cross-chain message passing (XCMP) protocol, facilitating interaction between various parachains.\n\n![ksm.png](https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/QmVJ6fuzPJds1eBHBfMUvUEpu84qt5MQseFLmrA8Nxqinw)\n\nThe network’s governance model is decentralized and permissionless, allowing token holders to participate in decision-making processes. This governance is quicker than Polkadot’s, with a combined voting and enactment period of 15 days, making it suitable for projects that require rapid development cycles. [[1]](#cite-id-qxi0mazflc)[[2]](#cite-id-ohfqn3r1jdf)\n\n# History\n\nKusama was introduced in 2019 by Parity Technologies, the creators of [Polkadot](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polkadot), under the direction of Dr. [Gavin Wood](https://iq.wiki/wiki/gavin-wood), a co-founder of [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum). It was designed as a \"canary network,\" offering a real-world environment for testing new features and upgrades before their deployment on Polkadot.\n\nThe Web3 Foundation, which supports decentralized web technologies, has played a significant role in Kusama’s development by providing grants and resources for research and community initiatives. [[7]](#cite-id-pu31e65no0d)[[8]](#cite-id-h5fzqh11hdu)[[9]](#cite-id-lcf2vjznkp)[[10]](#cite-id-3qfpjm3ch3p)[[11]](#cite-id-m96cekl7y38)[[12]](#cite-id-qk5yzyutz4)\n\n# Tokenomics\n\nKSM, the native token of Kusama, was initially distributed through an [airdrop](https://iq.wiki/wiki/airdrop) to participants in the [Polkadot (DOT)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polkadot-dot) token sale on a 1:1 basis. It was also available through a frictional faucet, which has since been discontinued. Unlike [Polkadot](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polkadot), Kusama has not undergone redenomination, maintaining a stable [circulating supply](https://iq.wiki/wiki/circulating-supply).\n\nKSM tokens are utilized for governance, [staking](https://iq.wiki/wiki/staking), and rewarding [validators](https://iq.wiki/wiki/validator). The economic model supports early-stage projects with low [transaction fees](https://iq.wiki/wiki/transaction-fee) and a flexible framework, allowing for cost-effective deployment and testing. Validator rewards are distributed in KSM tokens, and the network's inflation rate is managed to ensure a balanced token supply.[[3]](#cite-id-brhy9whl9p9)[[4]](#cite-id-q2rbqba8v4g)\n\n# Funding\n\nKusama’s growth has been supported by funding from the Web3 Foundation and other [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-focused organizations. These funds have been used to advance research, foster community development, and enhance technical capabilities.\n\nOne notable project conducted within the Kusama ecosystem is the groundbreaking research of [Dr. Justin Goldston](https://iq.wiki/wiki/justin-goldston-phd), [Justyna Osowska](https://iq.wiki/wiki/her-excellency-justyna-solange-osowska), Tomer Jordi Chaffer, and other researchers for the first academic case study on Digital Inheritance, where the researchers used the Social Recovery Pallet as a use case. This study went on to be pubished at Harvard University ADS - The ADS is operated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory under NASA Cooperative Agreement _80NSSC21M0056_  [[13]](#cite-id-FLmMqSrNCU)  - and at UC Berkeley [[14]](#cite-id-W4WNyYp86f). \n\nThe Kusama Treasury is also instrumental in financing innovative projects within the ecosystem, providing resources for initiatives that contribute to the network’s ongoing development.[[8]](#cite-id-h5fzqh11hdu)\n\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](sIk0DK1rrcc)$$","summary":"Kusama is a scalable multi-chain network for innovation and early Polkadot deployments, acting as a canary network to detect vulnerabilities.","images":[{"id":"Qmdm7SThMZer8G8NMkWmDjSzT1mC66SDY1MnLUuvRRspJm","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"cryptocurrencies","title":"Cryptocurrencies"}],"tags":[{"id":"Polkadot"}],"media":[{"id":"QmVJ6fuzPJds1eBHBfMUvUEpu84qt5MQseFLmrA8Nxqinw","size":"0.854","name":"ksm.png","type":null,"source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmRZgeWEF1eJJa32kfAaugbSWQRvettLfwWLKhBeG2cDkt","size":"0.037","name":"Kusama.jpg","type":null,"source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmUrbTWY6yseC1NLBTAgvzi9U9tyEp4trJV5RYmNA5XEdE","size":"0.061","name":"kusama-ksm-polkadot.jpg","type":null,"source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"Qmekuv3mdFgCrX2gqAbk7yHZJkoLW7nGQD9XkoVBZg2sUZ","size":"0.091","name":"Qué-es-Kusama-KSM2.jpg","type":null,"source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIk0DK1rrcc","size":"0","name":"sIk0DK1rrcc","type":null,"source":"YOUTUBE"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[{\"id\":\"qxi0mazflc\",\"url\":\"https://kusama.network/\",\"description\":\"Website\",\"timestamp\":1661019301183},{\"id\":\"ohfqn3r1jdf\",\"url\":\"https://twitter.com/kusamanetwork\",\"description\":\"Web\",\"timestamp\":1661019321410},{\"id\":\"brhy9whl9p9\",\"url\":\"https://medium.com/coinmonks/overview-of-kusama-network-c2f938984e41\",\"description\":\"Info\",\"timestamp\":1661019351590},{\"id\":\"q2rbqba8v4g\",\"url\":\"https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/kusama/\",\"description\":\"Coinmarketcap\",\"timestamp\":1661019378469},{\"id\":\"ov66on0hqak\",\"url\":\"https://medium.com/coinmonks/overview-of-kusama-network-c2f938984e41\",\"description\":\"Intro\",\"timestamp\":1661019952294},{\"id\":\"jwt3qwl8h3\",\"url\":\"https://polkascan.io/kusama\",\"description\":\"Info\",\"timestamp\":1661019969293},{\"id\":\"pu31e65no0d\",\"url\":\"https://polkadot.network/\",\"description\":\"The blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation\\n\",\"timestamp\":1722824466208},{\"id\":\"h5fzqh11hdu\",\"url\":\"https://grants.web3.foundation/\",\"description\":\"\\nGrants Program\",\"timestamp\":1722824482714},{\"id\":\"lcf2vjznkp\",\"url\":\"https://acala.network/\",\"description\":\"Acala is building the liquidity layer of Web3 finance\\n\\n\",\"timestamp\":1722824494744},{\"id\":\"3qfpjm3ch3p\",\"url\":\"https://moonbeam.network/\",\"description\":\"Why Moonbeam\",\"timestamp\":1722824514707},{\"id\":\"m96cekl7y38\",\"url\":\"https://wiki.polkadot.network/docs/learn-xcm\",\"description\":\"Introduction to Cross-Consensus Message Format (XCM)\\n\",\"timestamp\":1722824523801},{\"id\":\"qk5yzyutz4\",\"url\":\"https://wiki.polkadot.network/docs/learn-comparisons\",\"description\":\"Polkadot Comparisons\\n\",\"timestamp\":1722824534476}]"},{"id":"website","value":"https://kusama.network/"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://twitter.com/kusamanetwork"},{"id":"discord_profile","value":"https://discord.gg/9AWjTf8wSk"},{"id":"github_profile","value":"https://github.com/paritytech/polkadot/"},{"id":"coinmarketcap_url","value":"https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/kusama/"},{"id":"coingecko_profile","value":"https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/kusama"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmPvbe1owHYyK3FS8pbCiviiVTBAXX2NMDLzzSTA4AxUqC"},{"id":"commit-message","value":"Update Kusama article: refined content, added notable research studies, and updated media files."},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmPvbe1owHYyK3FS8pbCiviiVTBAXX2NMDLzzSTA4AxUqC"}],"events":[],"user":{"id":"0x75620a6d543CE1dC7e917c2a4BBefC5CF4843102"},"author":{"id":"0x2fE6aCD015384E1ee5138eF79fe1a434dA8FA12e"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":["polkadot"],"founders":["gavin-wood"],"speakers":[]}}