Polkadot and Kusama are two related blockchain networks, built on the same fundamental technology and running mechanisms. Yet, they focus on distinct goals.
Polkadot focuses more on providing stability and reliability, making it a more conventional choice. In contrast, Kusama is known for its speed and adventurous nature, making it an ideal platform for deploying new projects and exploring innovative ideas.
What Is Polkadot?
Polkadot is an adaptable blockchain system where builders can develop and introduce decentralized apps (dApps) on a swift, flexible, and extremely scalable platform. Established by Gavin Wood, who previously worked with Ethereum‘s founding team, Parity Technology leads the development of this network, while DOT, its native token, is among the leading cryptocurrencies in circulation.
Polkadot provides developers with tools and capabilities for building decentralized applications (dApps) and introducing new tokens. On this network, creators can develop diverse projects in areas such as Decentralized Finance (DeFi), yield farming, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), NFT apps, and crypto games. Polkadot features a network that is fragmented into multiple chains, making it possible for developers to establish their own blockchains within the broader system.
Many development teams have chosen to build their decentralized platforms on Polkadot’s blockchain network. Currently, this network includes around 100 parachains, which are being actively developed by over 200 teams. Over 550 projects make use of the technology provided by Polkadot.
What Is Kusama?
Kusama is known as “Polkadot’s bold sibling” due to its role in hosting numerous experimental projects in their initial stages. Similar to Polkadot, Kusama was established by Gavin Wood, making the two initiatives collaborative instead of competing with each other.
The primary idea behind Kusama was to create a programming sandbox for Polkadot apps. Developers could use Kusama to experiment with programming tools, platform architecture, and dApp structures. Because of this, many confuse Kusama to be a testnet. However, it is much more; Kusama is a standalone blockchain framework built using the Substrate Programming Kit.
Polkadot’s Operational Mechanism
Polkadot doesn’t support personalized decentralized applications (dApps) on its main chain. Instead, it employs a sharded multi-chain structure, enabling developers to create and launch their own chains on Polkadot. These sidechains operate alongside the primary chain, referred to as the Relay Chain. This functionality transforms Polkadot into a Layer-0 metachain rather than a typical Layer-1 blockchain.
On Polkadot, the first-tier networks enjoy a higher level of autonomy and are able to communicate with each other due to their shared underlying technology. Plus, the ability for Polkadot’s development team to make code adjustments without creating new blockchains results in increased agility for the developers working on the platform.
Polkadot employs a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism called Nominated Proof-of-Stake. In this setup, validators get approved to validate transactions, and nominators choose these validator nodes and support them with DOT tokens. This disperses power, as nominators delegate authority to validator nodes, thereby enhancing security for Polkadot Parachains by introducing an extra protective layer.
Kusama’s Operational Mechanism
Kusama’s operational mechanism is slightly different from that of Polkadot. Polkadot is much more enterprise-focused than Kusama, but developers can launch projects faster and experiment to a greater degree on the latter. Kusama makes it easy for developers to alter parachains even after they have been deployed. There is also no need to fork the parachain to create a new network when using Kusama.
An alternative approach for developers is modifying the fundamental code of a parachain to discover the most effective solutions for their specific project. Although Polkadot provides comparable functionalities, its rigidity is notable due to its on-chain governance system.
Polkadot’s Canary Network
Kusama originally functioned as Polkadot’s experimental network for launching new programs and software. By limiting access to a select group of users, it protected the larger user base from potential negative effects. However, it’s important to note that Kusama is not just a test network; it occupies a unique position between testing and mainnet stages.
Many initiatives keep parallel chains, referred to as parachains, on both Polkadot and Kusama. These projects explore and evaluate emerging technologies within the Kusama network prior to implementing them in Polkadot. On the other hand, some projects choose to commit solely to one of these networks, whether it be Polkadot or Kusama.
Kusama serves as an ideal platform for implementing grandiose projects involving new concepts in governance, money management, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), and motivational strategies. Upcoming enhancements to Polkadot will first be implemented on Kusama as a trial run before being made available on the main Polkadot network.
The Road Ahead
Polkadot and Kusama will keep operating separately as individual networks, each with its unique community, decision-making processes, and applications. Yet, they will remain connected through collaborative efforts, enabling developers to launch apps on both platforms.
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2024-04-24 11:03