TL;DR: 

• Covenants++ development advances toward May hard fork: Core contributors reiterated a target May timeline for a covenant-centric hard fork with native assets, with vProgs foundations underway but not included in this release; a community-run countdown on kas.live reflects expectations but not a protocol commitment.

• KIP-16 merged, enabling on-chain ZK verification: The Rusty-Kaspa codebase now supports zero-knowledge proof verification, laying cryptographic groundwork for rollups, privacy-preserving applications, and more advanced execution models on Kaspa L1.

• TN12 relaunch activates new covenant and ZK features: The refreshed Testnet 12 went live with Covenant IDs, Blake3 sequencing commitments, and ZK verification precompiles (Groth16, RISC0), expanding Kaspa’s L1 programmability while preserving PoW security assumptions.

• Network usage and distribution data highlight organic growth: Kaspa approaches 600M cumulative transactions, while new on-chain analysis shows distribution trending less concentrated than Bitcoin at a comparable age, with a majority of supply held dormant.

• Community-led development and coordination continue to expand: Kaspathon reached its final phase, new mining and analytics tools entered public testing, the first Kaspa Netherlands meetup was held, and additional community events and developer calls are scheduled in the coming weeks.

Kaspa targets May hard fork focused on covenants and native assets:

An upcoming Kaspa hard fork is shaping up as a covenant-centric upgrade with native assets, rather than a full vProgs release. AI research bot Terah, aggregating recent developer Q&A responses, pointed to a target mainnet date of May 5, noting that vProgs foundations are being laid but are not the primary focus of this fork. When asked publicly to confirm the May 5 timeline, Kaspa core contributor Michael Sutton responded, “That’s the aim,” signaling alignment around a May hard-fork window while leaving room for execution-dependent adjustments.

Separately, Kaspa community member Kaspador launched a public countdown timer on kas.live, reinforcing expectations around a May deployment without constituting an official protocol commitment.

The Technical Milestone: KIP-16 & The ZK-Proof Revolution

The Kaspa ecosystem reached a significant technical milestone this week. On February 5, KIP-16 was merged into the Rusty‑Kaspa codebase (Pull Request #775), formally introducing on-chain zero-knowledge (ZK) proof verification to the Kaspa BlockDAG.

Rather than a routine update, KIP-16 adds cryptographic verification primitives to validate complex computations without revealing underlying data. While Kaspa already operates as a high-throughput Proof-of-Work Layer 1, this change establishes a foundation for more advanced execution and scaling models, including:

• Rollups: Allowing large batches of transactions to be executed off-chain and settled securely on Kaspa L1

• Privacy-preserving applications: Enabling shielded transactions and confidential state transitions

• Enterprise and institutional use cases: Supporting applications that require verifiable computation with data sovereignty

The merge also reflects the broader goals of the Rusty-Kaspa transition: expanding Kaspa’s role from a high-speed payment network into a programmable settlement layer, while preserving its BlockDAG security model.

Covenants++: TN12 Relaunch Goes Live With ZK and Covenant Upgrades

Kaspa core contributor Michael Sutton announced that the Testnet 12 (TN12) reset is now live, introducing a set of significant Covenants++ features that expand Kaspa’s Layer-1 programmability and zero-knowledge (ZK) capabilities.

Key additions in the TN12 relaunch include Covenant IDs, enabling secure covenant construction without complex lineage schemes or large transaction preimages; an opcode for accessing a Blake3-based sequencing commitment, supporting verifiable ordering and L1–L2 coordination; and ZK verification precompiles and opcodes for Groth16 and RISC0, allowing Kaspa L1 to verify proofs generated by common ZK systems. Sutton also previewed Silverscript, an upcoming script compiler intended to simplify development of both native/inline programs and based ZK systems on Kaspa.

According to Sutton, these changes enable building ZK-based systems directly on Kaspa while preserving Proof-of-Work security guarantees. Node operators and miners must run cpuminer v0.2.6 and use the updated “covpp” (Covenants++) development branch to participate in TN12.

ZealousSwap introduces CCA-style launch mechanics for Kaspa DeFi:

ZealousSwap is preparing a token launch mechanism inspired by Uniswap’s Constant Clearing Auction (CCA) model, designed to support continuous, block-by-block clearing with time-weighted bids. The approach is intended to reduce MEV advantages, limit launch sniping, and improve fairness during early price discovery, while automatically seeding liquidity on the ZealousSwap DEX. The system is expected to deploy on Igra Labs’ EVM-compatible Layer-2, extending CCA-style launch dynamics into the Kaspa ecosystem.

Igra Labs launches Galleon Test Mainnet and opens community testing

Igra Labs announced that Galleon Test Mainnet is live and ongoing, with Igra's production code running on an anchored chain to the Kaspa L1 mainnet. The launch includes a two-week community testing window, during which users are encouraged to deploy contracts, send transactions, and stress-test the parallel execution environment.

As part of the testing program, Igra published “skills” documentation enabling AI agents to interact directly with the network, inviting autonomous testing alongside human participants. The team noted that iKAS is distributed for testing when users send a standard Kaspa L1 transaction, while emphasizing that KAS never leaves the user’s wallet.

Igra also highlighted that Node V2 is available for community operators, with updated orchestration tooling and documentation provided for running Galleon nodes. The team confirmed that the Caravel testnet will be sunset, and users are asked to migrate their activity to Galleon as the next phase of testing proceeds following the reset.

Kaspathon 2026: Building at Internet Speed

Kaspathon, the first global, community-led Kaspa hackathon, is entering its final phase ahead of the February 15, 2026, submission deadline. Running since January 16, the event has focused on moving beyond theoretical throughput metrics and validating Kaspa’s BlockDAG performance through live, functional applications running directly on Kaspa Layer 1.

Unlike hackathons that rely on simulated or isolated test environments, Kaspathon encourages teams to deploy and iterate on-chain, using the network as a real-world stress test for sub-second block times, rapid finality, and high-frequency state updates. Projects span four primary tracks: general high-performance dApps, payments and commerce, gaming and interactive applications, and real-time data infrastructure such as IoT and live data anchoring.

As organizers framed the closing stretch:

“Blocks don’t wait, and neither do you. If you shipped, iterated, or even just broke things productively — you’re on pace.”

The hackathon features a 200,000 KAS prize pool, with winners expected to be announced during the week of February 16. Organizers emphasized that the goal is not only competition, but the production of reusable, open-source tools that demonstrate Kaspa’s viability as a high-throughput application layer.

On-Chain Analysis examines Kaspa ownership distribution

Kaspa community analyst R.E.C.O.N (@recon_protocol) published an on-chain analysis of Kaspa's ownership distribution based on the top 1,000 wallets as of February 7, 2026. The data shows that the top 10 wallets hold 16.6% of supply, the top 100 wallets hold 35.5%, and exchange-controlled wallets account for roughly 8%, a distinction R.E.C.O.N emphasized as custodial holdings rather than individual “whales.”

For context, the analysis compared Kaspa’s distribution to Bitcoin at a similar point in its lifecycle. In 2013, Bitcoin’s top 100 wallets controlled an estimated 42% of supply, compared to Kaspa’s 35.5% in its fourth year. R.E.C.O.N also highlighted holder behavior metrics, noting that approximately 61% of Kaspa’s supply has not moved in over six months, suggesting limited near-term sell pressure despite concentration at the top.

As R.E.C.O.N summarized the findings: “Distribution is a process, not an event.”

The analysis framed Kaspa’s fair-launch structure, lack of pre-allocations, and absence of scheduled insider unlocks as key factors influencing how supply disperses over time.

Kaspa L1 approaches 600 million cumulative transactions

The milestone was highlighted this week by BSCNews, which shared the update with its audience of over one million followers as part of a broader run of recent coverage on Kaspa-related developments. According to data from Kaspa Explorer, Kaspa’s Layer-1 network has reached 600 million cumulative transactions, reflecting sustained on-chain activity since its launch in 2021.

The figure underscores continued transaction throughput on a Proof-of-Work BlockDAG operating at 10 blocks per second on mainnet. As Kaspa’s protocol development expands beyond payments toward broader programmability, the transaction milestone serves as a quantitative snapshot of network usage and reliability under sustained load.

KEF frames 2026 as an execution year for programmability and throughput

In a recent XXIM Podcast discussion, Junny Ho (EVP, Kaspa Ecosystem Foundation) described 2026 as a year focused less on market narratives and more on execution: building the “boring but essential” infrastructure required to expand Kaspa from high-speed payments toward a more programmable settlement layer. Ho emphasized that as Kaspa progresses toward higher throughput targets (including the network’s long-stated 100 BPS goal), the combination of Proof-of-Work security and decentralization becomes increasingly central to Kaspa’s value proposition for non-crypto-native use cases.

Community Spotlight: RustyKaspa Pool public beta launches

Kaspa community member ChoiiMhiee announced the launch of the RustyKaspa Pool Public Beta, a collaborative mining infrastructure effort developed by KaspaPulse and FundingKaspa. The beta introduces a high-performance Stratum Bridge intended to support Kaspa’s transition toward its Rust-based implementation and higher sustained throughput.

The public stress test spans mainnet, as well as Testnet 10 and Testnet 12, with configurations optimized for both ASIC and CPU mining. The team noted that uptime is not guaranteed during the beta period, as the primary objective is to collect performance data and evaluate stability under varying network and load conditions. A wide range of fixed difficulty ports is available to accommodate different miner hardware profiles.

The initiative allows miners to directly participate in testing infrastructure components that are expected to play a role in Kaspa’s next phase of scalability.

Kaspa featured on Israeli mainstream media outlet ILTV

Kaspa’s high-throughput Proof-of-Work network was recently featured on ILTV, a Tel Aviv–based news station. In the segment, Sione, CEO of KaspaCom, discussed why Kaspa is drawing interest from macro-oriented investors, contrasting its BlockDAG architecture with Bitcoin’s linear design.

Sione emphasized that while Bitcoin dominates the store-of-value narrative, its 10-minute block cadence limits its suitability as a medium of exchange. He described Kaspa’s parallel block structure as enabling faster confirmation without sacrificing decentralization, presenting Kaspa’s design as one response to the latency constraints common to traditional blockchains.

The appearance represents a rare instance of Kaspa’s technical architecture being discussed on a national news platform outside of crypto-native outlets, exposing the network’s fundamental design to a broader audience.

First Kaspa Netherlands Community Meetup 

The Kaspa community held its first local meetup in the Netherlands this week, bringing together longtime contributors and new participants for in-person discussion around network development and ecosystem growth. Reflecting on the event’s community-driven spirit, Chris Hutchinson of Rock the Kaspa remarked:

“You can just do things. All it takes is to take action and make things happen.”

The meetup featured a series of presentations highlighting different facets of the Kaspa ecosystem. Olaf Weller discussed the growth of Kaspa Nederland, while TheVisualAye presented “The Ledger and the Lily: Authorship and Permanence on Kaspa,” exploring the intersection of art and blockchain. Additional sessions included a KasMap overview by Seb and an update on the Kaspa Industrial Initiative from Paul van Son.

The event was organized by community members, including Olaf Weller, Seb, Paul van Son, TheVisualAye, Jen Eliza Design, and Parker Schmidt , reflecting the continued growth of grassroots coordination across the Kaspa ecosystem. The gathering concluded with informal networking.

Upcoming Kaspa Hong Kong community meetup (Feb 12)

Members of the Kaspa community are organizing an unofficial meetup in Hong Kong to coincide with the conclusion of Consensus Hong Kong 2026. The gathering is intended as an informal, community-led afterparty bringing together miners, developers, and ecosystem participants attending the conference.

The event will take place on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 8:00–10:00 PM, at Smoke & Barrel (2/F, Wyndham Mansion, 32 Wyndham Street, Central). Organizers describe the meetup as a relaxed, discussion-focused setting without formal presentations, emphasizing open conversation around Kaspa’s technical direction and ecosystem development.

Attendance is open to conference attendees and community members in the area.

New community-built Kaspa block explorer, Kassandra

The Kaspa community has released Kassandra (BETA 1.0), a new block explorer available at kassandra.fyi. The tool extends beyond standard transaction lookups by offering features such as a rich list, wallet-level address exploration, and real-time network statistics, aimed at users seeking more granular on-chain visibility.

Kassandra includes dedicated views for tracking large balances and address activity, as well as detailed inspection of unspent outputs and historical wallet behavior. The release adds another independently developed analytics interface to the Kaspa ecosystem, reflecting continued community experimentation around data access and network transparency.

KaspaWarrior's Call to Developers

Kaspa community contributor (Epitome) , @KaspaWarrior69, published a public call inviting experienced developers to participate in Kaspa’s ongoing research and development efforts. The post framed the current phase of work, including initiatives such as DAGKnight and verifiable program research, as “the most intellectually and scientifically challenging development effort in the crypto space today,” with a particular emphasis on Rust development and zero-knowledge cryptography expertise.

Epitome described the moment as a transition from long-term design concepts into active implementation, referring to the current period as the “morphing of vision into code.” He encouraged technically skilled contributors to engage directly in public R&D channels rather than remaining observers, emphasizing a goal of building a programmable layer without fragmented execution.

Vitalik Copies Kaspa 

Recent discussion in the Kaspa community followed a February 2026 post by Vitalik Buterin, in which he outlined a renewed focus on large-scale Layer-1 scaling, noting that while execution and data scaling are increasingly tractable, state scaling remains “fundamentally harder.” His proposal explored introducing extremely low-cost but more restrictive forms of state for high-volume objects such as ERC-20 balances, while reserving Ethereum’s primary state for higher-value applications.

Community members noted parallels between this approach and UTXO-style efficiency, a design direction Kaspa has emphasized since inception. The discussion also revisited the lineage of Ethereum’s fork-choice rule: LMD-GHOST is derived from the original GHOST protocol proposed in 2013 by Yonatan Sompolinsky and Aviv Zohar, with Kaspa’s GHOSTDAG extending this research by enabling parallel blocks under Proof-of-Work.

Buterin further acknowledged a shift away from viewing Layer-2s as “branded sharding,” arguing that durable scalability must rely on blockspace secured by the “full faith and credit of Ethereum.” Kaspa supporters framed the moment less as competition and more as convergence, with Ethereum revisiting L1-first scaling constraints that Kaspa has treated as foundational.

For further detail on this perspective, a community video summary of the discussion was published by KaspaWojak