What is Kusama?

Kusama is a public blockchain network that operates on the same codebase as Polkadot, serving as a testing ground for new features intended for the Polkadot network. Launched in 2019, it provides a faster developmental pace due to its experimental nature, allowing for real economic conditions while facilitating the testing of various functionalities.

The governance model of Kusama is decentralized, with the community maintaining control over the network. There is no central authority, and the network is designed to persist as long as the community actively participates in its upkeep. Kusama's primary use cases include allowing developers to experiment with projects and functionalities before deploying them on Polkadot.