What Is Kaia (KAIA)?
Kaia (KAIA), launched in August 2024, is an Ethereum-equivalent layer-1 blockchain formed by merging Finschia and Klaytn. Designed to bring Web3 to millions in Asia via integration with messenger apps like LINE and KakaoTalk, Kaia emphasizes scalability, low-cost transactions, and user accessibility. Its native token, KAIA, powers transactions and governance.
Key Features
- High Throughput: Processes up to 4,000 TPS with 1-second block finality, surpassing Ethereum (~25 TPS).
- Messenger App Integration: Connects to 250M+ LINE and KakaoTalk users, enabling seamless Web3 onboarding.
- Account Abstraction: Simplifies user experience with gas fee delegation and wallet-less interactions.
- Ecosystem: Trades on 44+ exchanges (e.g., Binance, Gate.io) and 58+ markets, with wallet support like Kaia Wallet and MetaMask.
KAIA Token
- Purpose: Used for transaction fees, staking, governance, and accessing ecosystem services.
- Supply: ~5.9B KAIA in circulation, with a maximum supply of 5.9B (fully diluted).
- Contract Address: On Kaia, KAIA is native; on Ethereum, KAIA’s contract is
0x74d1d2a851e339b8cb953716445be7e8abdfba6b
(addable to MetaMask) CoinGecko CMC.
Who Are the Founders of KAIA?
Kaia was formed by merging Finschia (backed by LINE) and Klaytn (developed by Ground X, a Kakao subsidiary). Key figures include Jaesun Han (Klaytn’s founder) and LINE’s leadership, with governance now led by the Kaia Foundation and community DAO. The merger, announced in 2024, raised no new funds but leveraged existing infrastructure.
What Makes KAIA Unique?
Kaia stands out in Web3:
- Mass Adoption Potential: Integrates with LINE and KakaoTalk, targeting 250M+ users for Web3 services like DeFi and NFTs.
- Practical BFT Consensus: Uses optimized pBFT for 4,000 TPS and instant finality, ideal for real-time apps.
- Stablecoin Support: Added USDT via Tether and LINE NEXT, enhancing payment use cases.
- EVM Compatibility: Supports Ethereum tools and plans CosmWasm integration for broader developer flexibility.
KAIA Network Upgrades (2025)
- USDT Integration (Q1 2025): Enabled USDT on Kaia, boosting stablecoin payments for 196M LINE users.
- Kaia Portal V2 (March 2025): Upgraded swap, bridge, and liquidity provision, increasing user activity by 20%.
- Energy Optimization (June 2025): Reduced gas fees by 15%, enhancing cost efficiency.
How Is KAIA Secured?
Kaia and KAIA are secured through:
- Practical BFT (pBFT): Ensures consensus with instant finality, requiring ~70% honest nodes.
- Smart Contract Audits: Regular audits by firms like CertiK maintain protocol integrity.
- Community Governance: KAIA stakers vote on upgrades, reducing centralized control.
- Node Security: Enterprise-grade nodes, aligned with Klaytn’s specs, ensure network reliability.
Conclusion
Kaia (KAIA) is a scalable layer-1 blockchain, merging Finschia and Klaytn to deliver Web3 to millions via LINE and KakaoTalk. With a 5.9B circulating supply, and 44+ exchange listings, KAIA powers fast, low-cost transactions. Its pBFT consensus, USDT integration, and 2025 upgrades position Kaia as a leader in Asian Web3 adoption, though competition and centralization concerns remain challenges.