Kusama is a decentralized blockchain network built on a technological foundation similar to Polkadot. It is often described as Polkadot’s experimental or “canary” network, but it is not a conventional test network. Kusama operates as an independent production network with its own token and real economic conditions.

The network is designed to support faster upgrades, shorter voting processes and more flexible experimentation with new blockchain solutions. Developers can use it to test applications, independent blockchains and new governance models before potentially deploying them in the more conservative Polkadot environment.

KSM is the native token of the Kusama network. It is used to pay transaction fees, support staking and network security, vote on the network’s future development and obtain network capacity. Because of its faster development and experimental nature, Kusama can introduce technological innovations more quickly, but it may also involve a higher degree of change and risk.