1.

Transaction Speed and Confirmations

How Fast Are Kaspa Transactions Confirmed?

Kaspa transactions are extremely fast. Your transaction becomes visible in the network within approximately 1 second, and it’s fully confirmed within about 10 seconds on average. This is significantly faster than Bitcoin (which takes 10 minutes on average) and most other proof-of-work cryptocurrencies.

This speed is possible because Kaspa uses the GHOSTDAG protocol with blockDAG architecture, which allows blocks to be created at a rate of 10 blocks per second (following the Crescendo upgrade in May 2025). Future upgrades could potentially reach 32 blocks per second and then 100 blocks per second. The confirmation time is dominated by internet latency rather than waiting for block confirmations.

What Does “Fully Confirmed” Mean?

A transaction is “fully confirmed” when it has been included in the blockDAG and is considered irreversible under normal network conditions. Kaspa’s GHOSTDAG protocol provides security guarantees that make transactions effectively final within about 10 seconds, which is when you can safely consider a transaction complete.

For high-value transactions, you may want to wait a bit longer for additional peace of mind, but for most everyday transactions, the 10-second confirmation time is more than sufficient.

How Does Kaspa Achieve Such Fast Confirmations While Maintaining Security?

Kaspa maintains security through the GHOSTDAG protocol, which is a generalization of Nakamoto consensus. Unlike traditional blockchains that orphan blocks created in parallel, GHOSTDAG allows parallel blocks to coexist and orders them through consensus. The protocol includes security features like the “freeloading bound” that limits how an attacker could leverage honest blocks in a fork attempt.

A 51% attack in Kaspa is no easier than in Bitcoin, even with high block rates, because of the GhostDAG ordering mechanism and the massive lead honest miners maintain. The network stays trustless and secure while providing fast confirmation times.

2.

Transaction Fees

Kaspa transaction fees are among the lowest in the cryptocurrency space. This section covers everything you need to know about Kaspa’s fee structure and why fees remain so low.

How Low Are Kaspa Transaction Fees?

Kaspa transaction fees are extremely low, typically fractions of a cent. This is possible because Kaspa has very high throughput (processing many transactions per second) and doesn’t suffer from the congestion issues that plague many other blockchains.

The exact fee depends on the transaction size and network conditions, but even during peak usage, Kaspa fees remain minimal compared to Bitcoin or Ethereum fees.

Why Are Kaspa Fees So Low?

Kaspa’s high throughput means the network can handle many transactions without congestion. Unlike networks with limited block space, Kaspa’s blockDAG architecture allows parallel processing of transactions, eliminating the fee competition that drives up costs on other networks.

Additionally, Kaspa’s fee market has unique game-theoretic properties that prevent the starvation-vs-congestion dynamics seen in other cryptocurrencies, keeping fees consistently low.

Will Fees Increase in the Future?

While fees may fluctuate slightly with network usage, Kaspa’s architecture is designed to scale efficiently. Following the Crescendo upgrade to 10 blocks per second in May 2025, the network’s capacity has already increased significantly. Future upgrades to 32 blocks per second and potentially 100 blocks per second will further increase capacity, helping to keep fees low even as adoption grows.

3.

Wallet Compatibility and Platforms

What Platforms Support Kaspa Wallets?

Kaspa wallets are available across multiple platforms:

• Desktop: Kaspa NG is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Web: Kaspa NG web wallet runs in any modern web browser
• Mobile: Kaspium wallet is available for both iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android devices
• Hardware: Tangem hardware wallet cards support Kaspa and work with iOS and Android devices via NFC

For detailed setup instructions for each wallet type, see our comprehensive guides: Setting Up Kaspa NG Wallet , Setting Up Kaspium Mobile Wallet , and Setting Up Tangem Hardware Wallet .

Can I Use the Same Wallet on Multiple Devices?

Yes, if you use a wallet that supports seed phrase recovery (which all recommended Kaspa wallets do). You can restore the same wallet on different devices by importing your seed phrase. Your wallet software will regenerate the same addresses and you’ll have access to the same funds.

Important: Always keep your seed phrase secure. Anyone with access to your seed phrase has complete control over your funds.

Are There Command-Line (CLI) Wallets Available?

Yes, Kaspa provides CLI wallet tools for advanced users. These are included with the Kaspa node software. CLI wallets offer more control but require technical knowledge to use effectively. For most users, the GUI wallets (Kaspa NG, Kaspium, Tangem) are recommended for ease of use.

4.

What Makes Kaspa Different

How Is Kaspa Different from Bitcoin?

While Kaspa shares Bitcoin’s proof-of-work security model and decentralized philosophy, it solves Bitcoin’s scalability and speed limitations:

• Speed: Kaspa confirms transactions in ~10 seconds vs Bitcoin's ~10 minutes
• Throughput: Kaspa can process many more transactions per second
• Block Rate: Kaspa creates 10 blocks per second (achieved with Crescendo upgrade in May 2025, with plans to scale to 32 and potentially 100), vs Bitcoin's 1 block per 10 minutes
• Architecture: Kaspa uses blockDAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) instead of a linear blockchain, allowing parallel block creation

Kaspa maintains the same security guarantees as Bitcoin through its GHOSTDAG protocol while dramatically improving performance.

How Is Kaspa Different from Proof-of-Stake Coins?

Kaspa uses proof-of-work like Bitcoin, which provides stronger decentralization guarantees than proof-of-stake systems:

• Decentralization: PoS creates a 'rich get richer' system where wealth concentration leads to centralization. PoW distributes power more evenly
• Validator Count: Many PoS coins have very few validators (some have as few as 21), while PoW systems have thousands of independent miners
• Security Model: PoS security relies on economic assumptions, while PoW security is based on well-understood cryptographic and game-theoretic principles
• Energy Efficiency: Kaspa uses Optical Proof of Work, which focuses on hardware costs (CAPEX) rather than energy costs (OPEX), making it more efficient than traditional PoW

Kaspa achieves the speed and throughput benefits that PoS coins promise, while maintaining the security and decentralization advantages of proof-of-work.

How Is Kaspa Different from Other Fast Cryptocurrencies?

Many fast cryptocurrencies achieve speed through centralization. For example, some have very few validators or rely on centralized infrastructure. Kaspa is unique in being both fast and decentralized:

Kaspa is the only proof-of-work cryptocurrency that achieves scalable throughput and immediate confirmations based on simple PoW principles alone. This means it provides the security and decentralization of Bitcoin while delivering the speed and responsiveness typically associated with centralized systems or proof-of-stake coins.

5.

Mining Questions

Can I Mine Kaspa?

Yes, anyone can mine Kaspa. Kaspa uses proof-of-work consensus, which means miners secure the network by solving cryptographic puzzles. Kaspa uses Optical Proof of Work (oPoW), which is designed to be more energy-efficient than traditional PoW algorithms.

You can mine Kaspa either solo (independently) or by joining a mining pool. Solo mining requires significant hashrate to find blocks regularly, so most miners join pools to receive more frequent, predictable rewards.

What Hardware Do I Need to Mine Kaspa?

Kaspa can be mined with both GPUs (graphics cards) and ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits). The specific hardware requirements and profitability depend on current network difficulty and KAS price.

For current information on mining hardware, profitability, and recommended setups, check mining communities and resources. Keep in mind that mining difficulty adjusts dynamically, and profitability can change based on network conditions and cryptocurrency prices.

Isn’t Mining Kaspa Bad for the Environment?

Kaspa uses significantly less energy than many other proof-of-work cryptocurrencies because of its Optical Proof of Work algorithm. The oPoW approach is designed to eliminate energy as the primary cost of mining and instead concentrate costs in hardware (capital expense) rather than electricity (operating expenses).

This makes Kaspa mining more energy-efficient than traditional PoW mining while maintaining the same security guarantees. The ultimate goal for oPoW is to enable mining with lasers (technology not yet invented), which would be even more efficient.

How Decentralized Is Kaspa Mining?

Kaspa mining is highly decentralized, with thousands of independent miners participating in the network. Unlike some proof-of-stake systems that have very few validators, Kaspa’s proof-of-work model allows anyone with appropriate hardware to participate in securing the network.

Mining pools do exist and some may have significant hashrate, but the open nature of proof-of-work means miners can easily switch between pools or mine solo, preventing excessive centralization.

6.

Token Supply and Tokenomics

What Is Kaspa’s Total Supply?

Kaspa has a maximum supply of approximately 28.7 billion KAS tokens. This is the total number of KAS that will ever exist.

How Are New Kaspa Tokens Created?

New KAS tokens are created through the mining process. Miners who successfully create blocks receive block rewards. The block reward decreases over time according to Kaspa’s emission schedule, which follows a decaying exponential curve.

This emission schedule is designed to distribute all 28.7 billion tokens over time, with the majority being distributed in the early years and the rate decreasing gradually.

Was There Any Premining or Preallocation?

No. Kaspa was launched without any premining or preallocation of coins. The mainnet was openly launched, and all coins are distributed through the mining process. This fair launch ensures that no one had an unfair advantage at the start of the network.

Kaspa was initially created by DAGlabs, but DAGLabs renounced ownership and transferred Kaspa to the public domain approximately six months before the mainnet launch, ensuring the project is truly community-owned.

How Long Will It Take to Distribute All Tokens?

Kaspa’s emission schedule is designed to distribute tokens over a relatively short period compared to Bitcoin. The exact timeline depends on the emission curve parameters, but the majority of tokens will be distributed in the first few years, with the emission rate decreasing over time.

7.

Security and Governance

Is Kaspa Secure?

Yes, Kaspa is secure. It uses the GHOSTDAG protocol, which is a proven generalization of Nakamoto consensus. The protocol has been thoroughly analyzed by cryptographers and maintains the same security guarantees as Bitcoin’s consensus mechanism.

Kaspa’s security model provides protection against 51% attacks, double-spending, and other common attack vectors. The fast confirmation times don’t compromise security; they’re made possible by the blockDAG architecture and GHOSTDAG protocol’s innovative approach to consensus.

Does Kaspa Have Central Governance?

No. Kaspa has no central governance, no business model, and no controlling entity. It’s a community project, completely open source, similar to Bitcoin, Litecoin, Monero, and other decentralized cryptocurrencies.

Development is undertaken by dozens of individuals from around the world, with many more contributing to the ecosystem. Decisions about the protocol are made through community discussion and consensus, not by a central authority.

Is Kaspa’s Technology Patented?

No, and it won’t be. Kaspa’s code is open source, and obtaining patents goes against the ideology of open source software. The research papers and theoretical work are also not being patented for scientific and philosophical reasons.

Anyone is welcome to build upon Kaspa’s ideas and techniques. This open approach strengthens the ecosystem and demonstrates confidence in Kaspa’s technical advantages.

Is Kaspa Quantum Resistant?

Not yet. Quantum computing could potentially break current cryptographic systems in the future, and Kaspa, like Bitcoin and most cryptocurrencies, is not currently quantum-resistant. However, there are proposals for post-quantum cryptography improvements that could be implemented if needed.

The threat from quantum computing is not immediate, but it’s something the cryptocurrency industry is monitoring and preparing for. Kaspa’s open-source nature and active development community position it well to adapt if quantum-resistant cryptography becomes necessary.

8.

Smart Contracts and Layer 2

Does Kaspa Support Smart Contracts?

Currently, Kaspa does not have native smart contracts on the base layer. However, work is being done to implement smart contracts in the future. The focus has been on building a secure, decentralized, and scalable base layer first, with smart contract functionality to be added later.

Multiple groups are working on smart contract implementations for Kaspa, with general oversight provided by Yonatan Sompolinsky, one of Kaspa’s creators. The approach prioritizes getting the foundation right before adding more complex features.

What About Layer 2 (L2) Solutions?

Kaspa currently has limited L2 support, including KRC-20 standard and Kasplex zkEVM. More comprehensive L2 infrastructure is being developed.

The strategy is to build on a secure base layer first, then add L2 capabilities. This approach ensures that L2 solutions will be built on top of a proven, secure foundation rather than trying to make the base more secure after things are already built on it.

Why Doesn’t Kaspa Have Smart Contracts Yet?

Kaspa prioritizes security and decentralization first. The philosophy is similar to Bitcoin’s approach: establish a rock-solid foundation before adding more complex features. This ensures that:

• The base layer is secure and battle-tested
• L2 solutions can be built on a proven foundation
• Future smart contracts will benefit from Kaspa's speed and security
• The network maintains its decentralization and security guarantees

When smart contracts are implemented, they’ll benefit from Kaspa’s fast confirmation times and high throughput, potentially making L2 solutions on Kaspa faster and cheaper than on other blockchains.

9.

Network and Technical Questions

What Is BlockDAG?

BlockDAG (Block Directed Acyclic Graph) is Kaspa’s underlying data structure. Unlike traditional blockchains that form a linear chain, blockDAG allows blocks to be created in parallel and connected in a graph structure.

In a traditional blockchain, if two miners create blocks at the same time, one gets selected and the other is orphaned (discarded). In blockDAG, parallel blocks can coexist and are ordered through the GHOSTDAG consensus protocol. This allows for much higher throughput while maintaining security.

You can see the blockDAG in action using Kaspa’s real-time blockDAG visualizer .

What Is GHOSTDAG?

GHOSTDAG (Greedy Heaviest Observed SubTree Directed Acyclic Graph) is Kaspa’s consensus protocol. It’s a generalization of Bitcoin’s Nakamoto consensus that allows parallel block creation while maintaining security.

GHOSTDAG orders blocks in the blockDAG to create a canonical ordering, which is essential for determining transaction order and preventing double-spending. The protocol ensures that honest miners maintain a massive lead over potential attackers, making the network secure even with fast block rates.

What Is the Difference Between Block Rate and Throughput?

Block rate refers to how many blocks are created per second (Kaspa currently creates 10 blocks per second following the Crescendo upgrade in May 2025, with plans to increase to 32 and potentially 100). Throughput refers to how many transactions can be processed per second (TPS).

Kaspa’s Rusty Kaspa node implementation can process up to 3000 TPS on affordable hardware, demonstrating the network’s high throughput capability. The blockDAG architecture allows this high throughput because many blocks can be processed in parallel.

How Many Nodes Does Kaspa Have?

As of recent data, Kaspa has hundreds of public nodes active on the network, with many more private nodes running for personal use. The number grows as adoption increases.

All nodes in Kaspa are equal-there are no “master nodes” or special privileged nodes. This ensures maximum decentralization and prevents central points of failure.

Kaspa’s 10 Blocks Per Second Upgrade (Crescendo)

The upgrade from 1 block per second to 10 blocks per second was successfully completed on May 5, 2025, with the Crescendo hard fork. This was an upgrade to the mainnet, not a split into two separate networks. The Kaspa community was unified in this upgrade, and the network is now operating at 10 BPS.

All balances remained unaffected, and no special action was required with coins. Future upgrades to higher block rates (such as 32 BPS) will follow a similar process. Any offer asking you to “send coins to a designated address for a new version” is a scam.

10.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

My Wallet Balance Is Wrong. What Should I Do?

If your wallet shows an incorrect balance, try these steps:

1. Wait for synchronization: Make sure your wallet is fully synced with the network
2. Restart the wallet: Close and reopen your wallet application
3. Scan for more addresses: If using Kaspa NG or Kaspium, use the 'Scan more addresses' feature in the wallet settings
4. Resync from scratch: As a last resort, you can reset the wallet data and resync (this won't affect your balance, only the local database)

Your funds are safe as long as you have your seed phrase. The balance issue is usually related to the wallet not fully scanning all your addresses or not being fully synced with the network.

My Transaction Isn’t Showing Up. What’s Wrong?

First, verify the transaction on a block explorer like explorer.kaspa.org or kas.fyi . If the transaction appears on the explorer, it’s confirmed on the network and your funds are safe.

If the transaction appears on the explorer but not in your wallet:

• Your wallet may not be fully synced-wait for synchronization to complete
• The wallet may need to scan more addresses-use the 'Scan more addresses' feature
• If using Kaspa NG or Kaspium, try restarting the wallet
• Check that you're using the correct wallet/seed phrase

Why Can’t I Send the Full Amount I Want?

This is usually related to UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) limitations. If you received many small payments (like from mining), your wallet has many small UTXOs. Each UTXO description takes up space in a transaction, and transactions have a maximum size limit (100,000 bytes, which allows about 84 UTXO descriptions).

To send larger amounts, you may need to “compound” your UTXOs by sending smaller amounts to yourself first, which combines multiple small UTXOs into larger ones. Most wallets have a “Compound” or “Consolidate” feature for this purpose.

The Explorer Shows Different Transactions Than My Wallet. Which Is Correct?

Generally, the explorer is more accurate for transaction history because it maintains a complete, unpruned database. Wallets may prune old transaction data to save storage space (typically keeping only the last 2-3 days of transaction data).

If you haven’t used your wallet for more than a few days, you may lose visibility into old transactions in the wallet, but your balance will always be correct because balances are calculated directly from the network, not from transaction history.

Conclusion

We hope this FAQ has answered your questions about Kaspa. Kaspa represents a significant advancement in cryptocurrency technology, combining the security and decentralization of proof-of-work with the speed and throughput needed for everyday use.

If you have questions that aren’t covered here, consider:

• Visiting the official Kaspa Discord or Telegram communities
• Checking the official Kaspa wiki at wiki.kaspa.org
• Exploring our other wiki articles for more detailed information on specific topics

Welcome to the Kaspa ecosystem. Whether you’re using Kaspa for transactions, mining, or development, you’re part of a community building the future of decentralized digital currency.