Moonriver: Smart contracts platform of the Kusama ecosystem

Moonriver is an Ethereum-compatible smart contracts platform built on the Kusama network. Its main goal is to provide developers with a convenient environment to quickly deploy Solidity-based applications into the Kusama ecosystem.

As the canary network of Moonbeam, Moonriver brings full EVM compatibility to Kusama. This means that developers can easily migrate smart contracts originally deployed on Ethereum to the Kusama ecosystem with minimal code adjustments. At the same time, users can experience Ethereum-compatible smart contract services at a lower cost.

The development plan of Moonriver is divided into four phases. Currently, the project is in the first phase, focusing on building a delegated proof-of-stake system. The emphasis of this phase is on achieving decentralization by introducing third-party validators to enhance the stability and security of the network. Notably, Moonriver has become the first decentralized validator network to implement a custom staking module on a parachain.

The next second phase will focus on the implementation of governance functions. With the stable operation of the governance system, the project team will remove the Sudo keys they control, further promoting the decentralization process of the network. This move will completely transfer the control of the network to the token holders.

After completing the construction of decentralized, delegated proof of stake, and governance functions, Moonriver will enter the full launch phase. At that time, the platform will update balance transfers and EVM functions, enabling developers and users to fully utilize the various features of Moonriver, including fund transfers, participation in the staking system, deployment of smart contracts, and earning rewards.

Moonriver's parent project Moonbeam aims to become a major smart contracts platform in the Polkadot ecosystem. It not only provides developers with an easy development environment but also strives to be a bridge connecting Ethereum and the Polkadot ecosystem. Currently, Moonbeam has gained support from several well-known projects, covering various fields such as decentralized exchanges, NFT platforms, lending platforms, and developer tools.

With the full launch of Moonriver on Kusama, it is expected to bring significant prosperity to the Kusama ecosystem in the short term. Its excellent Ethereum compatibility is likely to attract more developers, thereby enhancing the overall throughput of Kusama. If Moonriver can successfully connect Ethereum and Kusama, it will lay a good foundation for the future development of Moonbeam on the Polkadot mainnet.

The Moonbeam team has demonstrated outstanding performance in ecosystem development, frequently disclosing high-quality partnerships. If they can maintain this momentum, Moonbeam is expected to become one of the most notable projects in the Polkadot ecosystem, worthy of close attention from investors and developers.