Kaia is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain designed for mass adoption of Web3, particularly across Asia. With capabilities exceeding 4,000 transactions per second (TPS), instant finality, and one-second block times, Kaia delivers speed and reliability for decentralized applications (dApps). Fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), it enables seamless migration of existing Ethereum-based dApps while offering developers low transaction fees, robust tooling, and ecosystem support. By integrating with major Web2 platforms like Kakao and LINE, Kaia lowers the barrier to entry for mainstream users.
This guide explores key aspects of the Kaia network—from technical architecture to development resources—helping both new and experienced builders navigate its ecosystem efficiently.
Ethereum Compatibility and EVM Support
One of Kaia’s standout features is its strong alignment with Ethereum standards. The network supports all Ethereum Cancun-era EVM functionalities except for EIP-4844 blob transactions. This ensures that most smart contracts and developer tools built for Ethereum work natively on Kaia.
Through eth namespace RPC APIs, developers can use familiar tools such as ethers.js, web3.js, web3.py, and viem without modification. Kaia-specific transaction types are mapped to standard Ethereum transaction formats (e.g., represented as Type 0 legacy transactions), allowing SDKs to interact smoothly with the chain.
👉 Discover how easy it is to deploy Ethereum-compatible dApps on a high-speed blockchain.
Dynamic Gas Pricing Model
Kaia employs a dynamic gas fee mechanism designed to balance affordability and network stability. Under normal conditions, transaction costs remain low to encourage usage. However, during periods of congestion, fees adjust within predefined limits to prevent spam and maintain performance.
A portion of each transaction fee is automatically burned, contributing to long-term economic sustainability. This hybrid approach prioritizes user experience and enterprise scalability without compromising security or decentralization—making Kaia ideal for high-throughput applications like gaming, social platforms, and fintech dApps.
Unique Account Architecture
Unlike traditional blockchains where addresses are directly derived from public keys, Kaia decouples private keys from account addresses. This innovative design enhances flexibility and security for developers and end users.
Key benefits include:
- Multi-signature support at the protocol level
- Creation of multiple private keys with varying weights for a single account
- Role-based key management (e.g., separate keys for transferring funds vs. paying fees)
This structure simplifies advanced account controls and enables powerful use cases such as custodial solutions, shared wallets, and delegated operations.
Why Your Fee-Payer Address Might Not Match Your Key
Due to role-based key systems, the fee-payer address in a transaction may not be derived from the signing key. For example, a RoleFeePayer key is used solely for covering gas costs and does not determine the account’s primary address. This separation enhances modularity and allows complex authorization logic in dApp backends.
Getting Started with dApp Development
Whether you're migrating from Ethereum or building from scratch, Kaia offers comprehensive tools to accelerate development.
You can:
- Use Remix IDE with the Kaia plugin to test smart contracts
- Connect via MetaMask or the official Kaia Wallet browser extension
- Access SDKs in JavaScript, Java, and Python through extended versions of popular Ethereum libraries
For step-by-step guidance, explore official tutorials covering wallet setup, contract deployment, and integration with frontend frameworks.
👉 Jumpstart your next dApp project with developer-friendly infrastructure.
Available SDKs and Language Support
Kaia provides plugin-style SDK extensions that enhance standard Ethereum libraries:
- ethers-ext and web3js-ext for JavaScript/TypeScript
- web3j-ext for Java/Kotlin
- web3py-ext for Python
These SDKs enable full interaction with Kaia-specific features like fee delegation and multi-role accounts while maintaining compatibility with existing workflows.
Is Kaia Open Source?
Yes—Kaia is fully open source. The core node software, documentation, and SDKs are publicly available on GitHub under the kaiachain organization. Developers are encouraged to contribute improvements, report issues, or participate in governance discussions.
Open collaboration is central to Kaia’s mission of fostering innovation and trustless infrastructure in the Web3 space.
Testnet Resources: Faucets and Public Nodes
Developers can build and test on Kairos, Kaia’s testnet environment, before deploying to mainnet.
Public Node Providers
No need to run your own node during development. Public RPC endpoints are available through trusted providers. A full list is accessible in the official documentation.
KAIA Testnet Faucets
Obtain free testnet KAIA tokens from these faucets:
Use these tokens to simulate real-world interactions, debug contracts, and validate user flows.
Monitoring RPC Endpoint Status
To ensure reliability, monitor public RPC health using:
These dashboards provide real-time updates on uptime, latency, and service disruptions.
Wallet Integration and Compatibility
Kaia supports a wide range of wallets, including:
- Kaia Wallet (official Chrome extension)
- MetaMask
- D'cent Wallet (hardware support)
These integrations allow secure asset management, transaction signing, and dApp interaction across desktop and mobile environments.
Mainnet vs. Kairos Testnet
Understanding the two primary networks is essential:
| Network | Purpose | Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Mainnet | Live production environment | kaiascope.com |
| Kairos | Development and testing | kairos.kaiascope.com |
Both networks have dedicated downloads for running endpoint nodes (EN), accessible via the official docs.
Running Your Own Node
While not mandatory, running an Endpoint Node (EN) gives you full control over data validation and transaction processing. It's recommended for production-grade dApps requiring autonomy.
If synchronization is slow:
- Verify your hardware meets system requirements
- Download a chaindata snapshot to skip initial sync delays—updated daily for fast bootstrapping
Alternatively, use Kaia API Service (KAS) for managed access to RPC APIs with free-tier options available post-registration.
Smart Contract Standards: ERC-20 and ERC-721 Support
Kaia natively supports Solidity-based smart contracts. This means:
- Existing ERC-20 (fungible tokens) and ERC-721 (NFTs) contracts can be deployed with minimal changes
- Tools like Hardhat, Truffle, and Foundry work seamlessly
Additionally, the community drives innovation through KIPs (Kaia Improvement Proposals), introducing new token standards optimized for performance and usability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kaia blockchain used for?
Kaia is designed for scalable Web3 applications requiring high throughput and low latency. It's widely adopted in gaming, social media dApps, NFT platforms, and fintech services—especially in Asian markets where integration with apps like KakaoTalk enhances user onboarding.
Can I deploy Ethereum dApps on Kaia?
Yes. Thanks to EVM equivalence, most Ethereum dApps can be migrated to Kaia with little or no code changes. You retain access to familiar tooling while benefiting from faster speeds and lower fees.
Does Kaia have a native wallet?
Yes. The Kaia Wallet is a non-custodial browser extension that supports KAIA token transfers, account creation, and dApp interactions—available on Chrome via the web store.
How do I get free KAIA tokens for testing?
Visit any of the official testnet faucets: Kaia Faucet, NODIT Faucet, or Thirdweb Faucet to receive testnet KAIA tokens instantly.
Are there SDKs available for Kaia development?
Yes. Kaia offers extended SDKs—ethers-ext, web3js-ext, web3j-ext, and web3py-ext—that integrate with existing Ethereum development stacks while unlocking Kaia-specific features like fee delegation and multi-key accounts.
Do I need to run my own node to interact with Kaia?
No. For development and testing, you can use public RPC endpoints or the managed Kaia API Service (KAS). Running your own node is only necessary if you require full control over data validation or operate at enterprise scale.
👉 Start building on a scalable, EVM-compatible blockchain built for mass adoption.