What is Kava? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Kava at a glance.

Kava pairs a Cosmos SDK chain with an Ethereum (EVM) chain so the two interoperate, supporting both Cosmos and Ethereum applications on one network. Here is how it works and how it is used, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

n/a

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Kava. Updated Jun 2, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

KAVA

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live KAVA price.

How it works

How Kava works.

Validators stake KAVA and take turns proposing and confirming blocks using Tendermint, a Byzantine-fault-tolerant proof-of-stake method. Kava connects to the wider Cosmos network through IBC, the inter-blockchain communication protocol.

Consensus: Tendermint Proof of Stake

Validators stake KAVA and take turns proposing and confirming blocks using Tendermint, a Byzantine-fault-tolerant proof-of-stake method. Kava connects to the wider Cosmos network through IBC, the inter-blockchain communication protocol.

Co-chain design

A Cosmos SDK chain and an Ethereum-compatible chain run side by side and interoperate.

Two app environments

Developers can build with Cosmos tooling or with Ethereum (EVM) tooling on the same network.

IBC connected

Kava links to other Cosmos chains through IBC, so assets and data can move between them.

DeFi focus

Kava is oriented toward decentralized finance applications.

Ecosystem & usage

What Kava is used for.

Kava is used for DeFi applications that want access to both Cosmos and Ethereum users and assets.

Lending and borrowing

DeFi apps for supplying and borrowing assets.

Cross-ecosystem apps

Apps that serve both Cosmos and Ethereum communities.

IBC transfers

Moving assets between Kava and other Cosmos chains.

In the Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend KAVA.

Kava is integrated in the Zypto App. Hold KAVA in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold KAVA in Zypto How to buy KAVA

Be the reason Kava ships next.

Kava isn’t in the Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

What is Kava co-chain design?

Kava runs a Cosmos SDK chain and an Ethereum (EVM) chain side by side, so it supports both Cosmos and Ethereum applications.

How does Kava reach consensus?

Kava uses Tendermint proof of stake, where validators stake KAVA to propose and confirm blocks.

Is Kava connected to Cosmos?

Yes. Kava connects to the wider Cosmos network through the IBC protocol.

Can I hold KAVA in the Zypto App?

Not yet. KAVA isn't in the Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Kava using the "Request Kava" button above.

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