Kintsugi serves as Interlay’s canary network-an experiment that runs with real economic value on Kusama. Kintsugi and Interlay are built on the same code base, but Kintsugi is intended to prioritize innovation, so it will consistently be ahead on features. Interlay itself is a decentralized network designed to link cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin with DeFi ecosystems like Polkadot and Ethereum. The Interlay network is operated as a Polkadot parachain and is set to connect with Cosmos, Ethereum, and other major DeFi networks.

Kintsugi’s kBTC introduces a highly accessible Bitcoin experience on Kusama, helping to start liquidity for parachains including Karura, Shiden, and Moonriver. kBTC is a 1:1 Bitcoin-backed asset on Kusama, supported by a decentralized system of collateralized Vaults. Participants only need to rely on the security of Bitcoin and the specific DeFi platform they interact with.

Vaults are central to the interBTC and Kintsugi bridge, ensuring the on-chain 1:1 alignment between BTC and interBTC. They take custody of BTC from users and keep it locked for the duration that interBTC is live.

Kintsugi has been community-governed from the beginning, using KINT, Kintsugi’s governance token.