Polkadot and its testnet Kusama allow for custom blockchains called parachains to be built for specific uses like DeFi or gaming. Parachains connect to Polkadot/Kusama which provides security and interoperability between chains. Governance over network upgrades is handled through community voting. Kusama moves faster than Polkadot and is meant for higher risk experimentation before features are implemented on Polkadot.

1. Intro to Polkadot and Kusama
Dan Reecer - VP of Growth at Acala

2. Dan Reecer
VP of Growth at Acala & Karura
Twitter: @danreecer_
Background:
● Prev. Growth & Community at Web3
Foundation (Polkadot & Kusama
Launch Team)

4. Founding Team
Dr. Gavin Wood
Polkadot co-founder
Web3 Foundation president;
co-founder and former chief
technology of Ethereum
Peter Czaban
Polkadot co-founder
Former Web3 Foundation
technology director
Robert Habermeier
Polkadot co-founder
Thiel Fellow

5. Revolutionizes online
governance thru open,
community-driven
decision-making
Enables
custom-made
platforms built for
specific apps
Self-upgrades
allowing it to be
future-proof
Handles heavy traffic
at scale
Connects
networks
together
Plug-and-play
security

6. Revolutionizes online
governance thru open,
community-driven
decision-making
Enables
custom-made
platforms built for
specific apps
Self-upgrades
allowing it to be
future-proof
Handles heavy traffic
at scale
Connects
networks
together
Plug-and-play
security

7. Ethereum
Bitcoin
Custom blockchain built
on top of Polkadot
Single blockchains can be built to
do one thing really well
Single blockchains can also be built
to attempt to do a lot things just ok

8. Blockchains are
custom-built on
Polkadot for
specific uses
Polkadot connects a network of
custom-built blockchains (called
parachains) into one unified network
Example custom blockchains: DeFi (Acala), IOT, insurance,
gaming, music, identity, government, data storage

9. Polkadot also uses bridges to connect to legacy
networks and Polkadot’s cousin network, Kusama
Bitcoin
Tezos
Ethereum
Hyperledger

10. Revolutionizes online
governance thru open,
community-driven
decision-making
Enables
custom-made
platforms built for
specific apps
Self-upgrades
allowing it to be
future-proof
Handles heavy traffic
at scale
Connects
networks
together
Plug-and-play
security

11. Blockchains on Polkadot are custom-built
and optimized for specific uses, like a
producer would use a music equalizer

12. Blockchains on Polkadot and Kusama are custom-built and
optimized for specific uses with a framework called Substrate
Acala Dollar (aUSD)
Liquid DOT (LDOT)
Acala DEX
Acala has built several
custom DeFi pallets:
Acala EVM
Chainlink has built a
custom oracle pallet:
Chainlink Oracle

13. Revolutionizes online
governance thru open,
community-driven
decision-making
Enables
custom-made
platforms built for
specific apps
Self-upgrades
allowing it to be
future-proof
Handles heavy traffic
at scale
Connects
networks
together
Plug-and-play
security

14. Polkadot & Kusama handle transactions
at the scale of global commerce
*https://usa.visa.com/dam/VCOM/download/corporate/media/visanet-technology/aboutvisafactsheet.pdf
**https://usa.visa.com/run-your-business/small-business-tools/retail.html
Visa
Polkadot & Kusama 166,666 + tps capacity
65,000 tps capacity in 2018*
Ethereum 15-20 tps capacity
Bitcoin 7 tps capacity
1,736 actual transactions processed per second in 2020**

15. Revolutionizes online
governance thru open,
community-driven
decision-making
Enables
custom-made
platforms built for
specific apps
Self-upgrades
allowing it to be
future-proof
Handles heavy traffic
at scale
Connects
networks
together
Plug-and-play
security

16. Blockchain governance
No governance
One person or small group decides on the network’s future
The community proposes and votes on decisions that
impact the network’s future
1
2
3

17. Polkadot’s novel governance system puts
decisions on the network’s future in the hands
of users instead of an individual
Propose a
public
referendum
Prioritize
public
referenda
Vote on all
active
referenda
Vote for
council
members
Become a
council
member
DOT holders can contribute to the
future of Polkadot in several ways

18. Revolutionizes online
governance thru open,
community-driven
decision-making
Enables
custom-made
platforms built for
specific apps
Self-upgrades
allowing it to be
future-proof
Handles heavy traffic
at scale
Connects
networks
together
Plug-and-play
security

19. Polkadot & Kusama make security easy for new blockchain teams
by allowing them to plug right into an existing validator set...
...and focus on what they do best, coding.

20. Revolutionizes online
governance thru open,
community-driven
decision-making
Enables
custom-made
platforms built for
specific apps
Self-upgrades
allowing it to be
future-proof
Handles heavy traffic
at scale
Connects
networks
together
Plug-and-play
security

21. Polkadot can continuously upgrade and
remain future-proof like a Tesla that can
be upgraded over the air
Future-proof

23. Polkadot and Kusama (layer 0 metaprotocol)
(layer 1)
Parachain B
(layer 1)
Parachain C
(layer 1)
Apps, users, liquidity Apps, users, liquidity Apps, users, liquidity
Ethereum is a layer-1
equivalent to one
Polkadot parachain
Legacy networks like Ethereum are two layers: Layer 1 platform (Ethereum), then
the Application layer (Uniswap, Compound, etc.)
Polkadot & Kusama both add a new layer zero “meta-protocol” layer, connecting many
layer 1 parachains, each with their own application layer and all fully interoperable

24. What is Kusama?
● Polkadot’s wild cousin
● Same network setup as Polkadot (parachains,
validators, etc.)
● Moves faster: 7 day governance cycle vs 28 days on
Polkadot
● More risk appetite and willingness to experiment -
new features go live on Kusama before Polkadot
● Lower economic barrier - less cost for parachains to
get a slot vs. on Polkadot
● Will be bridged to Polkadot
● New model: Kusama introduced a new model for
blockchain development where code now goes from
testnet (Rococo & Westend) to Kusama, then to
Polkadot.

25. For further Polkadot/Kusama introductory education:
1. Polkadot for Beginners Twitter thread.
2. Polkadot for Beginners on YouTube.

26. Feel free to reach out on Twitter with questions or
collaborations: @danreecer_
Learn more about Acala and Karura at http://acala.network
Thank you