Zug, Switzerland – On February 21, the Web3 Foundation is reaffirming its commitment to the Kusama ecosystem with a landmark “wish for change” referendum, which will allocate 10 million DOT tokens ($50.8 Million USD in current market value at the time of publication). This allotment, representing 1% of Polkadot’s genesis supply, fulfills a promise made in 2019 by Polkadot co-founder Gavin Wood to ensure Kusama’s long-term value.
The referendum has been submitted to the OpenGov governance platform, ensuring that the community has the opportunity to review and discuss, as Web3 Foundation is committed to upholding its governance process by seeking the approval of token holders before moving forward. This approach aligns with the network’s decentralized ethos, emphasizing that major ecosystem decisions are always made by the DOT holders themselves rather than unilaterally by any centralized entity.
From its inception, Kusama was designed as a high-risk, high-reward environment where developers and validators could test the boundaries of Polkadot’s technology. To reinforce this vision, Web3 Foundation will utilize its own treasury to allocate 10 million DOT to Kusama. The funds will be distributed over the course of two years or more rather than as a one-time transfer, allowing for sustained impact.
The primary goal of this initiative is to remove barriers for builders and innovators in Kusama. By increasing the value proposition of the network, Web3 Foundation aims to encourage experimentation and foster a dynamic ecosystem where cutting-edge ideas can thrive. Possible areas of funding include direct transfers to the Kusama Treasury, support for bounties, collectives, DAOs, and other decentralized decision-making initiatives, as well as grants and event sponsorships.
A focus of the 10 million DOT allocation will be investing in zero-knowledge (ZK) technologies, establishing Kusama as a leading environment for experimentation with advanced cryptographic solutions. The recent “Spammening” stress test, where Kusama flawlessly handled a sudden surge of 143,000 transactions per second, proves its usefulness beyond simply functioning as a canary network for Polkadot. Recognizing this potential, Kusama will now be treated as a peer to Polkadot, being an experiment-centric network that fosters innovation while maintaining strong security standards.
Bill Laboon, Director of Education and Governance Initiatives at Web3 Foundation, shared: “This funding is not just about financial support; it’s about empowering the Kusama community and ensuring that the network remains a thriving space for fearless experimentation. With this long-term approach, we aim to sustain Kusama’s original vision while adapting to the evolving needs of its ecosystem.”
Dr. Gavin Wood, co-founder of Polkadot, added, “Kusama has always been about unbridled experimentation, a place where the future of blockchain is tested in real time, with real economic value. By fulfilling this long-standing commitment, we are reinforcing Kusama’s role as a critical proving ground for the next generation of decentralized innovation.”
This initiative reaffirms Kusama’s position as a leading network for open experimentation and innovation, reinforcing its unique value within the broader Web3 ecosystem. While the specific allocation of funds will evolve based on community needs, Web3 Foundation remains committed to preserving Kusama’s original ethos of being an open, malleable, and boundary-pushing environment where developers can innovate freely.
