Dec 19, 20254 min readComparisons & MatricesIntermediate

Ergo vs Kaspa: Programmable PoW vs High-Throughput PoW

From pure PoW payments to a full programmable DeFi platform.

Ergo

Kaspa

PoW

blockDAG

eUTXO

smart contracts

DeFi

high throughput

fair launch

Click to Enlarge

About This Infographic

This infographic compares two fair-launch PoW projects that went in different directions: Ergo as a programmable eUTXO DeFi platform, and Kaspa as a high-throughput PoW payments layer built on a BlockDAG.

Ergo integrates native tokens, ErgoScript smart contracts, Sigma-based privacy and storage rent to support DEXes, stablecoins, lending and complex programmable DeFi on L1.

Kaspa focuses on rapid confirmations and scalable PoW payments using GHOSTDAG BlockDAG consensus, with a roadmap that looks toward L2 smart-contract frameworks and programmability built on top of the base layer.

Token Model on PoW

Ergo: Native tokens at the eUTXO level, tightly integrated with contracts and DeFi flows.
Kaspa: Native KAS coin for payments and fees; ecosystem is exploring L2 token and dApp layers rather than L1 token logic.
The token model determines whether assets are first-class citizens of the contract layer or mainly live on higher layers.

Smart Contracts, DeFi & Throughput

Ergo: Full DeFi stack on L1 with ErgoScript + Sigma—DEXes, lending, stablecoins and complex programmable logic.
Kaspa: High-throughput blockDAG PoW optimized for fast confirmations and scalable payments, with smart contracts planned via L2 frameworks instead of present-day L1 execution.
Builders choosing between them weigh immediate on-chain programmability versus a lean, payment-first base layer with future L2 options.

Privacy & Advanced Features

Ergo: Programmable L1 privacy via Sigma Protocols, storage rent for long-term sustainability, and NiPoPoWs for ultra-light clients.
Kaspa: Focus on performance, fairness and decentralization at the base layer; privacy and advanced application features are expected to emerge from higher-layer solutions and external tooling.
These differences shape how suitable each chain is for privacy-aware DeFi versus transparent, high-speed settlement use cases.

Key Points

Both Ergo and Kaspa are proof-of-work, fair-launch projects with no ICO or premine, but they prioritize different goals.

Ergo: programmable eUTXO tokens, full DeFi stack (DEXes, stablecoins, lending) and L1 privacy plus storage rent.

Kaspa: high-throughput BlockDAG PoW focused on fast, scalable payments and settlement, with smart contracts planned on L2 rather than today on L1.

Ergo is designed as a comprehensive platform for decentralized finance on PoW; Kaspa positions itself as a fast, secure digital cash and settlement network.

Advanced features such as programmable privacy and protocol-level sustainability live on Ergo, while Kaspa emphasizes speed, simplicity and future extensibility.

How to Read This Infographic

01.

Look at the main visual split: Ergo on the left with interconnected DeFi modules (DEX, stablecoins, lending, programmable DeFi) versus Kaspa on the right as a high-speed PoW highway for payments.

02.

Then read the three comparison blocks along the bottom—token model, smart contracts & DeFi, and privacy & advanced features—to see how each chain treats programmability and tokens on top of PoW.

03.

Use this comparison to decide whether your use case needs full programmable DeFi on PoW or a high-throughput PoW payments base layer with future L2 programmability.

Usage Guidelines

• You can use this infographic in presentations, blog posts, or educational materials
• Please keep the attribution link to ergoblockchain.org
• For custom branding or editable files, contact the Ergo community

Embed this infographic

Copy the code below to use this infographic in your blog or website.
Please keep the link to ergoblockchain.org.

<a href="https://ergoblockchain.org/infographics/ergo-vs-kaspa-programmable-pow-vs-high-throughput-pow?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
  <img
    src="https://ergoblockchain.org/og/infographics/ergo-vs-kaspa-programmable-pow-vs-high-throughput-pow.png"
    alt="Infographic titled “Ergo vs Kaspa: Programmable PoW vs High-Throughput PoW”. On the left, Ergo powers DEXes, stablecoins, lending and programmable DeFi built on native eUTXO tokens. On the right, Kaspa shows a fast BlockDAG highway for high-throughput PoW payments, with comparison panels for token model, smart contracts & DeFi, and privacy & advanced features."
    style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border:0;"
    loading="lazy"
  />
</a>
<p style="font-size:12px; color:#888;">
  Source: <a href="https://ergoblockchain.org/infographics/ergo-vs-kaspa-programmable-pow-vs-high-throughput-pow?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ergoblockchain.org</a>
</p>

Explore More Ergo Infographics

Discover visual guides to Ergo's PoW, eUTXO smart contracts, storage rent, privacy and more.

Browse All Infographics