90-second overview

Kaspa in 90 seconds.

Kaspa is a mined UTXO network that uses a blockDAG and GHOSTDAG so honest blocks can be produced in parallel and still ordered into one shared state.

Last verified: May 4, 2026. This page is a shortcut. Use Status, Sources, and CLAIMS.yml for status-sensitive checks.

Live Targeted Roadmap Research Not live

The short version

What to know first.

What Kaspa is

Proof of Work, UTXO, blockDAG, and GHOSTDAG. The core idea is lower-latency PoW shared state, not a proof-of-stake validator set.

What is live

Mainnet PoW, UTXOs, GHOSTDAG ordering, pruning-oriented node operation, and the 10 BPS Crescendo-era network.

What is not live

Toccata is targeted, vProgs and native DeFi are roadmap, and DAGKnight plus RTD-derived app systems are research or future architecture.

Why it matters

Kaspa asks whether a Bitcoin-like mining model can support faster user experience and future verification-oriented apps without making L1 a general execution VM.

Wrong frame, better frame

Use status labels before slogans.

Weak explanation

Kaspa is just Bitcoin but faster.

Better explanation

Kaspa keeps mined PoW and UTXOs, changes the block structure from one line to a DAG, and uses GHOSTDAG to order parallel honest work.

Weak explanation

Kaspa already has smart contracts and DAGKnight.

Better explanation

Kaspa has live fast PoW settlement today. Toccata, vProgs, native DeFi, and DAGKnight belong in targeted, roadmap, or research lanes.

Pick the next page by your question.

New to crypto Start with crypto's real lane.

Settlement, self-custody, stablecoins, programmable escrow, and open coordination.

Need current status Check what is live.

Live, targeted, roadmap, research, and not-live distinctions in one table.

Know BTC / ETH / SOL Compare Kaspa's lane.

Bitcoin monetary brand, Ethereum apps, Solana UX, and Kaspa's architectural claim.

Need evidence Open the source map.

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