If you're tuned into the crypto world, you might have caught this recent buzz from BSC News on X: "💡 TOP 3 $KAS PROJECTS TO WATCH... You may think you know the @kaspaunchained ecosystem, but have you heard of these new entrants?" Check out the original tweet here. It points to an insightful article highlighting some fresh players in the Kaspa space. Kaspa, for those new to it, is a blockchain that uses a proof-of-work model with a unique blockDAG structure—think of it as a directed acyclic graph for blocks that allows super-fast transaction processing without sacrificing security.

The Kaspa ecosystem has been evolving rapidly, especially with updates like the Crescendo hard fork, which bumped up block production to 10 per second. This means quicker confirmations and the ability to handle real-time apps. Plus, the introduction of KRC-20 token standards has opened doors for more decentralized applications (dApps). With over 50 dApps and tools already in play, many built on Layer 2 solutions for smarter contracts, Kaspa's native token $KAS is seeing more use in payments and mining. It's even integrated with popular hardware wallets like Tangem and Ledger.

Let's dive into the top three projects that are turning heads right now. These aren't your run-of-the-mill crypto ventures—they're pushing boundaries in infrastructure, communication, and finance within the Kaspa network.

1. Kasplex: Building the Foundation for Scalable dApps

Kasplex is essentially the backbone for many future developments on Kaspa. It's a protocol that includes tools like data insertion mechanisms, an open-source indexer, and APIs, all taking advantage of Kaspa's high block rate and decentralized proof-of-work Layer 1.

What makes it stand out? It supports the KRC-20 standard for fungible tokens, uses pay-to-script-hash to embed data efficiently (avoiding unnecessary bloat in the unspent transaction output set), and even has a gas fee system for deploying or minting tokens. Looking ahead, Kasplex is gearing up for Layer 2 with a zkEVM-based rollup and something called NewVM, which is tailored for automation in scripting, Internet of Things (IoT), and gaming.

In short, Kasplex is making it easier for developers, artists, and influencers to build scalable systems. It also enables cross-chain apps and secure management of digital assets, which could be a game-changer for broader adoption.

2. Kasia: Revolutionizing Decentralized Messaging

Imagine sending messages that are as secure and immutable as blockchain transactions—that's Kasia in a nutshell. This open-source, encrypted peer-to-peer messaging app runs directly on Kaspa's Layer 1, where each message is treated as a transaction on the chain. It entered early beta in June 2025 and is all about privacy and decentralization.

Here's the cool part: You fund a wallet with about 10 $KAS, and that covers over 500,000 messages, thanks to Kaspa's speedy 10 blocks per second and network pruning (which keeps things efficient by trimming old data). It runs locally via GitHub repos, and features like follows and likes are also blockchain-based transactions. No dedicated token here—everything runs on $KAS fees.

Currently in private testing on Android, with scalability checks during high usage, Kasia is expanding Kaspa's utility beyond just finance. It's boosting transaction volumes, which in turn supports miners, and fits perfectly with Kaspa's permissionless, high-throughput vibe.

3. ZealousSwap: Bringing DeFi to Kaspa

If you're into decentralized finance (DeFi), ZealousSwap is one to watch. Modeled after Uniswap V2, this DEX operates on the Kasplex Layer 2, allowing swaps, liquidity provision, and yield farming with KRC-20 assets. It's still in testnet, with the latest Beta 10 version out, but it's already showing promise.

Key highlights include its native ZEAL token (with a $4 million market cap) for governance and fee sharing, support for over 20 tokens like NACHO and KASPER, and integrations with tools like SeaSwap for better pricing. You get features like price oracles, deep liquidity pools, a 0.3% swap fee, and even flash swaps for savvy traders.

The Beta 10 update adds memberships for market makers and high-frequency traders, plus performance tweaks before mainnet. ZealousSwap is poised to draw in serious DeFi activity on Kaspa, making it accessible for liquidity providers with low barriers and focusing on long-term sustainability.

Beyond these top picks, the Kaspa ecosystem is buzzing with other innovations—like WarpCore for bridging assets in a compliant way, GigaWatt as a stablecoin tied to clean energy, and social apps such as Vivoor for decentralized streaming. Memecoins and NFTs, including KasPunks and Kango, are adding fun and community vibes. With ongoing infrastructure boosts, partnerships with mining pools and exchanges, and user-friendly wallets like Kastle, Kaspa's transaction volume is on the rise.

If you're a blockchain enthusiast or investor, keeping an eye on these projects could pay off. The $KAS ecosystem is proving that proof-of-work can still innovate in a world dominated by proof-of-stake. What do you think—ready to dive deeper into Kaspa?