Igra Network Launches EVM on Kaspa PoW BlockDAG Mainnet

Published: 2026-03-20 05:44:05 |

Igra Network has launched a public mainnet, bringing EVM-compatible smart contracts to Kaspa’s proof-of-work (PoW) BlockDAG. After six months of testing and a claim of “zero state divergence,” the network is live with a 3,000+ TPS execution environment and sub-second inclusion latency. A key design choice is a “based rollup.” Igra Network delegates transaction ordering to Kaspa miners while avoiding miners reading transaction contents at the protocol level—aiming to reduce MEV extraction, front-running, and censorship. For verification, Igra Network cites testnet performance of 730,000+ transactions across 21M blocks, alongside a security audit by Sigma Prime reporting no unresolved issues. At launch, 15+ protocols are set to deploy, including Kaskad (lending/borrowing), ZealousSwap (DEX), Zealous Auctions Protocol, Hyperlane (cross-chain messaging/USDC.e bridging), wallet/supporting tooling, and a KRC-20/KRC-721 bridge. Token mechanics: Kaspa’s native token is wrapped 1:1 as iKAS on Igra via a trust-minimized bridge, and iKAS is used as the gas token. An execution engine upgrade using Block-STM is planned for H2 2026. Separately, an on-chain auction for IGRA governance/security tokens is scheduled for late March 2026 via ZAP. For traders, the mainnet unlock may improve DeFi access on Kaspa, but IGRA-related expectations could drive short-term volatility into the late-March auction window.

Neutral

Mainnet launch is a positive structural catalyst for building EVM DeFi liquidity on Kaspa (potentially bullish for IGRA by expanding usage and user onboarding). However, the news also highlights that an IGRA auction is scheduled for late March 2026, which can create supply/demand uncertainty and event-driven churn. Netting these, the likely near-term price impact on IGRA is mixed rather than one-directional, with traders mainly reacting to auction positioning and liquidity expectations.