Quai vs Kaspa
Quai and Kaspa are both fast proof-of-work networks, but only Quai runs the EVM on its base layer. Kaspa's contracts run on layer 2 networks. Quai also earns revenue from other chains through SOAP, has lower supply growth, and accepts three kinds of mining hardware.
Facts reviewed in November 2026.
Where Quai is stronger
The EVM on the base layer
On Quai, a Solidity contract deploys to the same chain that miners secure. On Kaspa, EVM contracts run on layer 2 networks that are built on top of the base ledger.
Half the supply growth
In its third year, QUAI supply is projected to grow 8.3%. Kaspa's supply grew 17% at the same age.
Other chains pay for the burn
Kaspa pays miners with new KAS and fees, and nothing else. Quai also earns from outside. Through SOAP, the block rewards of Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Ravencoin buy QUAI on the open market, and that QUAI is burned.
Three mining algorithms
Kaspa needs kHeavyHash machines. Quai accepts SHA-256, Scrypt, and KawPoW hardware, which covers the largest fleets of mining machines in the world.
Money to save and money to spend
QUAI is the store of value, with emission that slows as the network grows. Qi is cash whose supply follows mining difficulty and the cost of energy. One network does both jobs.
At a glance
| Property | Quai (QUAI) | Kaspa (KAS) |
|---|---|---|
| Consensus | Proof of work, with PoEM consensus | Proof of work, with the GHOSTDAG blockDAG protocol |
| Secured by | Miners with SHA-256, Scrypt, or KawPoW hardware | Miners with kHeavyHash hardware |
| Block time | About 5 seconds | 10 blocks per second |
| Smart contracts | Yes. The EVM runs on the base layer. | No EVM on the base layer. EVM contracts run on layer 2 networks. |
| Supply | Emission slows as the network grows, and SOAP buybacks burn QUAI. 1.9 billion genesis QUAI was burned. | Maximum of about 28.7 billion KAS. Emission falls on a fixed schedule. |
| Launched | February 2025 | November 2021 |
| Supply growth, year 3 | 8.3% (projected) | 17% |
| Revenue, 12 months | $6.0M | None. Fees and block rewards go to miners. |
Revenue is protocol revenue for the last 12 months from DefiLlama. Quai's revenue is the value of the other chains' block rewards that SOAP used to buy QUAI. Supply growth compares each network in its third year after launch, from the QUAI tokenomics post.
Questions people ask
Does Kaspa have smart contracts like Quai?
Not on its base layer. Quai runs the EVM on the chain that miners secure. EVM contracts for Kaspa run on layer 2 networks.
Which one has lower inflation?
Quai. In its third year, QUAI supply is projected to grow 8.3%, and Kaspa's supply grew 17% at the same age. SOAP buybacks also burn QUAI.
What hardware mines Quai?
SHA-256, Scrypt, and KawPoW hardware all mine Quai. Kaspa uses the kHeavyHash algorithm only.
More comparisons
Sources
This page gives information only. It is not financial advice. See the disclaimers.