Kaspa, best known for its ultra-fast proof-of-work Layer-1, has just taken a major step forward with the launch of Kasplex zkEVM — a Layer-2 network that brings Ethereum-compatible smart contracts to the Kaspa ecosystem.
The mainnet launch, carried out by Kasplex in collaboration with the Kaspa Ecosystem Foundation (KEF), marks the first time that programmable dApps, DeFi protocols, and complex smart contracts can run on top of Kaspa. Until now, Kaspa has stood out for raw speed and security but lacked programmability. With Kasplex, that gap is closing.
From Crescendo to Kasplex: The Build-Up
The new Layer-2 is made possible by Kaspa’s “Crescendo” upgrade, activated in May 2025. That hard fork boosted block production from 1 block per second to 10, introduced ordered transaction execution, and optimized the network for rollups and scalability. In short, Crescendo prepared Kaspa’s base layer to handle programmable logic at scale.
Kasplex is the first project to take advantage of that foundation. It operates as a zkEVM rollup, meaning it mirrors Ethereum’s smart contract environment while settling on Kaspa’s secure Layer-1. Developers familiar with Solidity, Hardhat, Remix, or Truffle can deploy their projects on Kasplex with minimal changes — essentially redirecting their RPC endpoints.
What Makes Kasplex Different
Unlike most Layer-2s, Kasplex doesn’t issue a separate token for gas. Instead, it uses bridged $KAS directly from the main chain, keeping all economic activity inside the Kaspa ecosystem.
Other key features include:
- Two-way bridging between Kaspa Layer-1 and Kasplex Layer-2.
- Open node infrastructure, where anyone can run one of three types of nodes.
- Ethereum compatibility, lowering the barrier for developers to bring dApps over.
For users, this means the arrival of low-cost DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, and experimental applications, all while anchored to Kaspa’s proof-of-work security.
Testnet by the Numbers
Kasplex’s testnet activity hinted at strong adoption:
- ~24 million transactions processed
- ~6.5 million blocks generated
- Over 300,000 unique wallets created
- Throughput exceeding 1,000 transactions per second
That early performance gave the project confidence to move forward with mainnet launch.
Why It Matters
The Kasplex rollout positions Kaspa as more than just a fast settlement chain. It opens the door to decentralized finance and broader application development, putting Kaspa in direct competition with other ecosystems that already host smart contracts.
For developers, the Ethereum compatibility should make Kaspa an easier platform to experiment on. For the Kaspa community, it means $KAS gains new utility as the gas token on L2.
Looking Ahead
Kasplex isn’t stopping here. Upcoming upgrades include a KRC-20 token standard, an EVM-Lua interface for alternative contract languages, and further rollup improvements tied to Kaspa’s unique blockDAG design.
The launch is being framed not just as a technical milestone, but as the start of a new chapter for Kaspa: one where its speed and scalability combine with programmability to create a full-stack ecosystem.
