Kasplex, a project backed by the Kaspa Ecosystem Foundation (KEF), has officially introduced its zkEVM Layer 2 mainnet during Malaysia Blockchain Week 2025. This development signifies a transformative step for Kaspa, enabling smart contract functionality and positioning the network for meaningful participation in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. With this launch, Kaspa, known as the fastest and most scalable Proof-of-Work blockDAG network, enters a new phase of evolution.
Kasplex is the first zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (zkEVM) Layer 2 solution constructed on top of Kaspa. It enables developers to deploy Ethereum-compatible smart contracts through a Kaspa-supported rollup, effectively merging Kaspa’s high-throughput architecture with the broader Ethereum ecosystem. In contrast to conventional Layer 2 platforms, Kasplex employs bridged $KAS as its gas token, reinforcing both the utility and economic relevance of Kaspa’s native cryptocurrency.
Enhancing Kaspa’s Infrastructure with DeFi Capabilities
The team behind Kasplex suggested that the community had been anticipating the arrival of this milestone. The new Layer 2 is designed to make Kaspa DeFi-ready, offering an ecosystem where developers can build applications while maintaining core blockchain principles such as decentralization, security, and transaction speed.
Prior to this mainnet release, Kasplex had already gained attention with the implementation of the KRC-20 inscription standard. This protocol powered more than 130 million transactions and contributed to the growth of a vibrant token ecosystem. Among the notable projects was $NACHO, a community-favorite token that once achieved a market capitalization nearing $62 million. This successful track record has been presented as evidence of Kasplex’s scalability and real-world application potential.
Strategic Support and Early Ecosystem Growth
Leadership at the Kaspa Ecosystem Foundation indicated that this launch marks a bold advancement for Kaspa, aligning with KEF’s mission to equip builders with the necessary tools and infrastructure to expand the network. They emphasized that Kasplex’s launch is not merely a technical upgrade but a strategic move that establishes Kaspa as a serious contender in the decentralized finance sector.
Early interest from developers and projects is already evident. Kaspa Finance, the first V3 DEX and Automated Market Maker (AMM) built on Kasplex, also made a presentation at the same blockchain event in Malaysia. This platform aims to provide a suite of DeFi tools and services, including token swaps, yield farming, staking, lending, and artificial intelligence-driven trading strategies. All of these features are underpinned by Kaspa’s high-speed and secure infrastructure.
Path to a DeFi-Enabled Future
With the mainnet going live on August 31, Kasplex has laid the foundation for a fully functioning DeFi ecosystem within the Kaspa network. As more developers begin to build and deploy on Kasplex, expectations are rising that Kaspa could emerge as a strong competitor in the broader DeFi landscape.
The combination of Ethereum compatibility, zkEVM technology, and Kaspa’s blockDAG architecture presents a compelling formula for scalability and performance. This integration not only opens up new possibilities for Kaspa-based applications but also strengthens the network’s potential as a high-speed, secure, and decentralized financial layer for global users.