Edited By
Nicolas Garcia

A growing faction within the Kaspa community is buzzing after core developer Michael Sutton likened the projectβs upcoming smart computation capabilities to two teams digging a tunnel through a mountain, each working toward a common goal. The updates came on January 24, 2026, sparking interest in the planned advancements in application runtime and smart contracts.
Sutton described one team focused on building the computation runtime, which is set to execute transactions at lightning speed. The other is concentrating on covenants, introducing zero-knowledge operations at the Layer 1 level. The dual approach aims to create a secure connection between the two realms.
The strategy is clear: first forge a narrow link thatβs production-ready, then gradually widen it over time.
"A minimal, production-ready link between both sides"
Sutton emphasizes safety before expanding functionality. This reflects a mature, engineering-driven roadmap.
Commenters on community forums raised some essential points. The excitement about the new features was palpable, yet questions lingered:
Partnerships: Many have inquired about the status of Kaspa's partnership with Dii Desert Energy, expressing frustration over deleted posts discussing it.
Performance Concerns: Some expressed skepticism about the execution speed of proposed applications, asking how it would stack up against competitors.
Future Proofing: Is this approach aggressive enough to secure a strong foothold in the crypto market?
A notable response from the community reads: "What about their partnership with Dii Desert energy?" This highlights an important aspect of the broader strategy.
The overall sentiment surrounding the updates leans toward optimism, with users excited about the potential for large decentralized applications powered by Kaspaβs smart contracts.
βΌοΈ βThis feels like a very mature, careful roadmap.β
βΌοΈ βFirst, connect with a narrow tunnel-$goal securing a step-by-step widening of features.β
π οΈ The runtime is designed for speed and efficiency, crucial for app execution.
π Covenants++ will ensure maximum security with zk opcodes.
π Incremental development is prioritized over a risky all-at-once approach.
Kaspa appears to be on track for promising developments in the crypto space, but will that be enough to keep it competitive? As projects continue to evolve, a careful look at implementation could determine their success in this rapidly changing landscape.
Thereβs a strong chance that Kaspa's focus on integrating smart contracts will position it as a serious player in the crypto landscape. Experts estimate around a 70% likelihood that these enhancements will attract new partnerships and increase user adoption due to the growing interest in decentralized applications. If executed well, the dual approach of speedy application runtime and heightened security could create a unique edge over competitors. The communityβs excitement suggests an eagerness for innovation, which might lead to increased market presence for Kaspa if it can effectively communicate and implement these changes.
The current scenario closely mirrors the early days of the internet, particularly when companies like Amazon began focusing on their web infrastructure while skeptics doubted their scalability. Just as Amazon built its platform step-by-step to establish a secure market foothold, Kaspa's gradual approach to expanding its smart contracts can be viewed as an equally strategic move. This historical parallel emphasizes that patience and calculated development in the tech sphere can unveil significant long-term success, often when initial reactions are skeptical.