Kusama at a glance.
Kusama is built on the same Substrate codebase as Polkadot and behaves like Polkadot in most ways, but it moves faster and carries lower stakes, which makes it a place to ship and stress test early. Here is how it works and what it is used for, not the price.
n/a
Value locked in DeFi protocols on Kusama. Updated Jun 8, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.
KSM
Used for fees and securing the network. See the live KSM price.
How Kusama works.
Validators secure the relay chain, and token holders nominate validators they trust by staking KSM behind them. BABE assigns block production slots to validators, and GRANDPA acts as the finality gadget that confirms finalized blocks cannot be reverted. Faster governance timelines mean changes are voted on and applied in days rather than weeks.
Validators secure the relay chain, and token holders nominate validators they trust by staking KSM behind them. BABE assigns block production slots to validators, and GRANDPA acts as the finality gadget that confirms finalized blocks cannot be reverted. Faster governance timelines mean changes are voted on and applied in days rather than weeks.
Canary network
Kusama is not a testnet. It is a live network with real value where Polkadot features and parachains are deployed first, so issues surface in production conditions before reaching Polkadot.
Relay chain and parachains
A central relay chain provides shared security and finality. Parachains connect to it and lease slots through auctions, inheriting the relay chain security while running their own logic.
KSM token
KSM is used to stake and secure consensus, to vote in on chain governance, and to bond parachain slots. Supply is uncapped and grows through staking rewards.
On chain governance
Token holders propose and vote on referenda directly on chain. Kusama uses shorter voting and enactment periods than Polkadot, so the network can iterate quickly.
What Kusama is used for.
Kusama hosts a range of parachains spanning DeFi, identity, and infrastructure, many of which test ideas later brought to Polkadot. Teams use it to validate parachain designs and tooling in a real environment.
Deploying experimental parachains
Teams launch parachains on Kusama to validate runtime logic and economics in production before committing to a Polkadot slot.
Staking and nomination
Holders stake KSM by nominating validators to help secure the network and earn staking rewards in return.
Governance participation
KSM holders vote on referenda and treasury proposals that shape the network and fund development.
Hold, swap and spend KSM.
Kusama is integrated in Zypto App. Hold KSM in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.
Be the reason Kusama ships next.
Kusama isn’t in Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.
Request on XCommon questions.
Is Kusama the same as Polkadot?
Is Kusama a testnet?
What is KSM used for?
Why is Kusama called a canary network?
Can I hold KSM in Zypto App?
Related networks.
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