A Deep Dive into the Capabilities & Limitations of Kaspa
The cryptocurrency world witnessed a detailed discussion between Justin Bons, Founder & CIO of Cyber Capital, and Shai Deshe, a Ph.D. holder in Blockchain and Quantum Cryptography, on the merits and shortcomings of Kaspa, a Proof of Work (PoW) blockchain. This exchange highlights key differences in perspectives on blockchain technology, governance, and the future of decentralized finance (DeFi).
Justin Bons’ Critique of Kaspa
Justin Bons raised several concerns about Kaspa:
- Lack of Key Features: Bons argues that Kaspa lacks essential elements for Layer 1 (L1) blockchains, such as Turing-complete smart contracts and Proof of Stake (PoS). He contends that these limitations render Kaspa uncompetitive in the DeFi space, despite its scalability claims.
- Concerns Over Decentralized Money and Finance: Bons stresses the importance of DeFi for decentralized money, implying that Kaspa’s current lack of DeFi capabilities is a significant drawback.
- GhostDAG’s Limitations: He points out that Kaspa’s use of the GhostDAG consensus algorithm leads to an inability to maintain a reliable global state, which is crucial for direct implementation of smart contracts.
- Critique of PoW and Governance: Bons criticizes PoW as an outdated and inefficient consensus mechanism and expresses skepticism about Kaspa’s governance, labeling it as dysfunctional and deceptive.
Man you are wrong on all counts here
— Dr Martin Hiesboeck (@MHiesboeck) November 24, 2023
Shai Deshe’s Counterarguments
Shai Deshe responded to Bons’ critique, offering a different perspective:
- Smart Contracts and PoS: Deshe argues that Turing-complete smart contracts and PoS are not necessarily key features for a blockchain. He believes that limited on-chain functionality coupled with off-chain sequencing can be more efficient, especially with Kaspa’s rapid settlement capability.
- Decentralization and DAGs: Deshe refutes Bons’ claim about DAGs’ inability to maintain a global state. He explains that GHOSTDAG can produce rapidly converging ordering, allowing for security and smart contract implementation akin to traditional chains.
- Innovations in Kaspa: Deshe highlights Kaspa’s unique ability to scale while providing fast transaction finality (TTF) and its potential to offer new solutions for smart contracts, MEV, and fee markets.
- PoW and Decentralization: Deshe supports PoW as a mechanism for achieving decentralization and challenges the consensus that PoS is a superior alternative.
- Governance Perspective: Deshe believes in a more human-centric approach to governance rather than strict on-chain governance. He suggests that voting should involve a human factor, countering Bons’ preference for robust on-chain voting systems.
Lots to unpack here, as you got many things wrong about $kas (and about crypto in general).
— Shai ❤️ Deshe 💜 Wybors𐤊i 💙 (大胡子) (@DesheShai) November 24, 2023
1. The first is a matter of opinion, but I argue Turing complete smart contracts and PoS are by no means "key features".
Arbitrary on-chain computation incurs insane overhead and creates… https://t.co/5ooxJ6Dg8p
Analysis
This discussion between Bons and Deshe represents the diverse viewpoints within the blockchain community. Bons’ emphasis is on the necessity of advanced features like Turing-complete smart contracts and PoS for the success and competitiveness of a blockchain in the DeFi arena. In contrast, Deshe advocates for a balanced approach that combines on-chain and off-chain functionalities and defends the merits of PoW in ensuring decentralization.
The debate also touches upon the broader themes of blockchain evolution, the role of governance in decentralized systems, and the pursuit of technological innovations to address existing limitations in the space.
KAS USDT Price Chart

The exchange between Justin Bons and Shai Deshe over Kaspa’s technology and governance underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of blockchain development and its governance. It highlights the ongoing challenges and debates within the crypto community about the best paths forward for blockchain technology, particularly in balancing scalability, security, and decentralization. As the industry continues to evolve, such discussions are crucial for understanding the diverse perspectives that drive innovation in the blockchain space.
Author Profile

- Ex-community moderator of the Banano memecoin. I have since been involved with numerous cryptocurrencies, NFT projects and DeFi organizations. I write about crypto mainly.
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