In a landmark achievement for blockchain technology, Kaspa has successfully reached a throughput of 10 Blocks Per Second (BPS) on its public testnet. This milestone demonstrates significant progress in scalability and transaction speed for proof-of-work networks, challenging long-standing limitations in the industry.
The accomplishment marks a critical step toward realizing high-performance decentralized networks capable of competing with traditional financial systems in speed and efficiency—all without sacrificing security or decentralization.
How Kaspa Reached 10 Blocks Per Second
Kaspa’s Testnet 11 was designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible within a proof-of-work consensus model. By utilizing the GHOSTDAG protocol, Kaspa enables parallel block processing within a directed acyclic graph (DAG) structure. This allows multiple blocks to coexist and be ordered without relying on a linear chain, drastically increasing throughput.
The testnet achieved this record-breaking speed using everyday hardware, including reports of nodes running on nine-year-old laptops. This accessibility underscores the network’s commitment to remaining decentralized while achieving high performance.
The Technology Behind the Breakthrough
At the core of Kaspa’s success is the GHOSTDAG protocol, a scalable generalization of the original Nakamoto consensus. Unlike traditional blockchains, which depend on a single chain of blocks, GHOSTDAG allows blocks to be created in parallel and then reconciled into a consistent order.
This structure significantly reduces delays between block confirmations and supports much higher transaction volumes. The protocol ensures security by always following the heaviest subtree (the chain with the most accumulated proof-of-work), making it resistant to attacks.
Implications for the Future of Proof-of-Work
Kaspa’s testnet results suggest that proof-of-work blockchains can achieve transaction speeds comparable to proof-of-stake networks—and even traditional payment systems like VISA—without centralizing validation or compromising on security.
This has broad implications for the cryptocurrency industry, especially for those who value the energy-based security model of proof-of-work but need higher transaction capacity for real-world use.
👉 Explore advanced blockchain scalability methods
Developers and researchers within the Kaspa ecosystem believe this is only the beginning. As hardware and network optimizations continue, even higher block rates may be achievable.
Community and Developer Response
The announcement has attracted attention from blockchain developers and distributed systems researchers globally. Yonatan Sompolinsky, a founder of Kaspa and co-author of GHOSTDAG, emphasized that maintaining 10 BPS requires precision engineering and a deep understanding of peer-to-peer consensus mechanisms.
Michael Sutton, a core developer at Kaspa, noted that the convergence of scalable consensus protocols and high-performance computing opens new horizons for innovation. Similarly, Shai Deshe, a cryptography researcher involved with Kaspa, highlighted that this is the first time a permissionless proof-of-work network has achieved four-digit transaction rates on the consensus layer using consumer hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 10 Blocks Per Second mean for users?
A higher block rate means faster transaction confirmations and better network throughput. Users can expect shorter waiting times and lower fees during high demand.
How does Kaspa maintain security at high speeds?
Kaspa uses the GHOSTDAG protocol, which preserves the security guarantees of proof-of-work by always building on the heaviest chain of blocks. This ensures the network remains resilient to attacks even at high block rates.
Can Kaspa really compete with proof-of-stake networks?
Yes. Kaspa’s testnet results show that proof-of-work can achieve similar—or even superior—throughput without sacrificing decentralization or requiring centralized validators.
What hardware is needed to run a Kaspa node?
The testnet successfully ran on everyday hardware, including older laptops. This low barrier to entry supports network decentralization.
Is Kaspa’s technology compatible with other blockchains?
While Kaspa is a Layer-1 blockchain, its core ideas, especially around DAG-based consensus, could influence scalability solutions across the industry.
What’s next for Kaspa after this testnet?
The team will continue optimizing network performance and expanding community involvement. Further testing and gradual mainnet upgrades are expected.
Conclusion
Kaspa’s achievement of 10 BPS on a public testnet represents more than just a technical milestone—it signals a new era for proof-of-work cryptocurrencies. By combining high throughput, accessibility, and robust security, Kaspa is positioned to influence the next generation of blockchain design.
For those interested in the future of scalable and decentralized digital currencies, Kaspa offers a compelling vision backed by groundbreaking engineering.