Kava is built on Cosmos, and uses a Tendermint-based [proof-of-stake](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/article/proof-of-work-vs-proof-of-stake) (POS) [consensus mechanism](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/consensus) to ensure the integrity of the network. This uses a network of validator nodes for confirming transactions. These validator nodes must put up collateral to take up the duty of validating transactions. If validators misbehave or fail to meet rigorous minimum requirements, their stake will be penalized — thereby incentivizing validators to remain honest and efficient. Kava holders can run a staking node to earn KAVA rewards directly from the protocol. However, only the top 100 Kava nodes (also known as validators) are eligible to receive these rewards. Beyond this, KAVA holders can stake their tokens on various compatible exchange platforms, like Binance, Kraken, Huobi Pool, and in wallets like Trust Wallet, Cosmostation Wallet, and Keplr. Kava's [smart contracts](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/smart-contract) have been audited by multiple independent blockchain and crypto security firms, including CertiK, B-Harvest and Quantstamp. To date, no vulnerabilities have been found.

The KAVA token was first launched in 2019 with a Binance Launchpad educational event. All vesting KAVA has been unlocked and Kava’s proof-of-stake’s consensus mechanism emits tokens to incentivize validators to secure the network. A portion of emitted tokens are also utilized in initiatives like Kava Rise to further the decentralization, security, and stability of the Kava ecosystem.

Kava has always put security and decentralization first. Today, the Kava blockchain ecosystem is developed by over 100 application protocol teams (and counting), and is supported by over 100 infrastructure teams. The Kava ecosystem is supported by multiple independent international Foundations which are responsible for allocating protocol-level funding to grantees with the purpose of supporting the health and continued development of decentralized networks and systems.

Kava is a Layer-1 blockchain that combines the speed and interoperability of Cosmos with the developer power of Ethereum. Kava was built from the ground up to optimize its resources for protocol growth, strengthened by its Cosmos EVM technology that enables maximum scalability, speed, security, and developer support. Builders on Kava earn a share of Kava Rise's $750M developer incentive fund via the program's blockchain-based distribution method, designed to reward the top protocols every month based on usage.