Introduction
Polkadot, hailed as the "King of Cross-Chain," has surged to a TOP 5 market cap after three years of anticipation. Its ecosystem projects are flourishing, with core features like parallel chains poised to launch, ushering in an era of interconnected blockchain networks. On November 5, Mars Video hosted an exclusive interview with Acala, Polkadot’s DeFi hub, to discuss the latest updates on parallel chain slot auctions and strategic plans. Below is a condensed transcript of the interview.
Interview Highlights
Q1: Kusama vs. Polkadot – Which Is the "True" Polkadot?
Cao Yin:
- Kusama and Polkadot share the same codebase, but differ in governance speed (7 days vs. 28 days) and unlocking periods (7 days vs. 28 days).
- Polkadot is B2B-focused, prioritizing security for financial applications, while Kusama caters to innovative startups (e.g., gaming, social networks).
Yuzhu:
- Kusama acts like an economic特区 (special economic zone) for Polkadot, testing features before mainnet deployment.
- Its faster auction节奏 and shorter lease cycles provide valuable insights for Polkadot’s future.
Q2: Understanding Parallel Chains and Slot Auctions
Cao Yin:
- Parallel chains are Polkadot’s sharding solution, offering higher scalability than Ethereum 2.0 (100+ shards vs. 32).
- Chains with slots gain shared bandwidth for atomic-level跨链 communication (e.g., Acala’s DeFi-focused链).
Yuzhu:
- Polkadot’s relay chain is like a power strip, while parallel chains are the appliances plugged into it.
- Kusama’s auctions are expected by early 2024, followed by Polkadot.
Q3: Why Projects Must Bid for Slots – Alternatives If They Fail
Cao Yin:
- Parallel chain: High cost, highest bandwidth.
- Parallel thread: Pay-as-you-go model.
- Module integration: Embed into existing平行链 (e.g., renVM in Acala).
- SOLO链: Substrate-based standalone链 (rare).
Yuzhu:
- Projects can also build on established chains (e.g., Acala’s EVM/Ink! smart contracts).
Q4: Innovations in Slot Auctions – Market Impact
Cao Yin:
- Polkadot’s质押拍卖 is a first-of-its-kind mechanism, creating分片 networks.
- Early participants may receive exclusive rewards (e.g., Acala’s incentives).
Yuzhu:
- Auctions protect users by locking funds only temporarily (vs. ICO risks).
Q5: Acala’s Role in Polkadot’s Ecosystem
Yuzhu:
Acala is Polkadot’s DeFi infrastructure, offering:
- Decentralized抵押借贷 (aUSD stablecoin).
- DEX模块 for asset swaps.
- Liquid Staking (LDOT/LKSM).
- dSWF (decentralized sovereign wealth fund).
Key优势:
- Cross-chain liquidity (renBTC, ChainX).
- Custom gas fees (pay with any asset).
- QoS for黑天鹅 events (e.g., 312-style crashes).
Q6: Acala’s Economic Model – Sustainability Focus
Yuzhu:
- Token distribution rewards auction participants.
- dSWF reserves DOT for future slot leases, ensuring long-term viability.
- Liquidity reserves prevent死亡螺旋 during crises.
Q7: Acala’s Roadmap – Breaking Smart Contract Barriers
Yuzhu:
- Upcoming平行链 auctions.
- Enhancing UI/UX.
- Merging smart contracts with链原生 features (e.g.,兼容Acala’s modules).
- Partnering with Web3 Foundation on R&D (e.g., NFT standards for Kusama).
Q8: Karura (Acala’s Kusama先行网)
Yuzhu:
- Karura will bid for Kusama’s first PLO (Parallel链 Lease Offering).
- Users can lock KSM to earn KAR (Karura’s token) via Paradrop rewards.
Q9: Polkadot vs. Ethereum 2.0
Cao Yin:
- Ethereum 2.0’s full rollout may take 3+ years.
- Polkadot’s tech (designed by Gavin Wood) is already production-ready.
- ETH 1.0 could join Polkadot as a平行链, bypassing 2.0 delays.
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between Kusama and Polkadot?
- Kusama is faster for governance but less secure; Polkadot is optimized for enterprise use.
2. How do parallel链 auctions work?
- Projects bid for slots using DOT/KSM. Winners share Polkadot’s security and跨链功能.
3. Can small projects afford平行链 slots?
- No – but they can use平行 threads or build on existing chains (e.g., Acala).
👉 Learn more about Polkadot’s DeFi potential
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.