Casper Association

Proof-of-stake layer-1 blockchain with 8-second blocks and WebAssembly smart contracts

Blockchain Founded 2020 Switzerland
Visit casper.network
Our score
Good
Layer Layer 1
Consensus / design Proof of Stake
Native token CSPR
Block time 8 seconds
EVM compatible No

What is Casper Association?

Casper Network is a public, permissionless layer-1 proof-of-stake blockchain built on WebAssembly (Wasm) smart contracts. Designed for institutional adoption, real-world asset tokenization, and machine payments, the network uses the native CSPR token for transaction fees, network governance, and validator staking.

Governance and organization

The network is supported and coordinated by the Casper Association, an entity based in Europe. Validators vote on tokenomics on-chain.

Consensus and architecture

Casper uses a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism. Instead of the Ethereum Virtual Machine, the base layer runs a WebAssembly execution environment, letting developers write smart contracts in languages like Rust through frameworks such as Odra. Network updates lowered block times from 16 seconds to 8 seconds. Users interact with the network via the non-custodial Casper Wallet, while AstralBeam connects Casper to Ethereum, Base, Polygon, and Robinhood Chain.

Fees and token mechanics

All network transactions and smart contract executions require gas paid in the native CSPR token. As of recent protocol updates, baseline transaction fees on Casper are permanently burned rather than redistributed entirely to validators. CSPR is traded on international exchanges, including Kraken for eligible United States users, and can be staked directly or liquid-staked.

Track record and ecosystem milestones

Casper's domain was established in June 2020 ahead of its mainnet rollout. In June 2026, the network launched an AI Toolkit with x402-standard micropayment support for automated agent requests. In August 2026, the Casper Association partnered with AmericanFortress on quantum-resistant privacy tools for tokenized assets and collaborated with Payouts.com on automated agent payments. By September 2026, the AstralBeam bridge entered public testnet, linking Casper to external EVM networks.

Risks and technical trade-offs

Because Casper uses a native WebAssembly architecture rather than native EVM bytecode, Ethereum developers must adopt Rust toolchains because EVM compatibility is on the roadmap. Moving tokenized real-world assets across external networks relies heavily on cross-chain infrastructure like the AstralBeam bridge, exposing transfers to standard bridge smart contract risks. Tokenomics remain subject to validator voting.

Founders

Mrinal ManoharCo-founder

Former principal at Sagard Capital and associate at Bain & Company.

Medha ParlikarCo-founder

Former product and engineering executive at Adobe, DivX, and Avalara.

Best for:Rust developers building Wasm contractsTeams tokenizing regulated real-world assetsAutonomous AI agent micropayment integrations

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Block times reduced to 8 seconds
  • Gas fees paid in CSPR are burned directly by the protocol
  • Native WebAssembly runtime supports smart contracts written in Rust
  • On-chain validator governance directly controls network tokenomics

Cons

  • Lacks native EVM execution at the base layer
  • Cross-chain connectivity relies on external bridge infrastructure like AstralBeam
  • Tokenomics parameters remain subject to validator voting

Our review

3.5/5
Good

Casper offers WebAssembly execution, upgradeable contracts, and low-latency blocks for enterprise use, but its application ecosystem and developer adoption remain modest compared to major EVM chains.

Performance3.5
Fees4.0
Ecosystem3.0
Decentralization3.5
Developer experience3.5

Casper Network is a permissionless layer-1 blockchain built on Proof-of-Stake consensus and a WebAssembly (Wasm) execution engine. Maintained by the Switzerland-based Casper Association, the protocol targets enterprise adoption, regulated real-world assets, and machine-to-machine micropayments. Smart contracts run in Rust compiled to Wasm. EVM execution remains part of its future roadmap rather than its core baseline environment.

Protocol upgrades reduced block times from 16 seconds to 8 seconds while introducing transaction fee burning. Casper uses CSPR for gas and on-chain governance votes regarding network economics. AstralBeam connects Casper to Ethereum, Base, Polygon, and Robinhood Chain for token transfers.

The network presents clear trade-offs:

  • Wasm-native execution supports Rust-based smart contract development for enterprise developers.
  • Transaction fees are paid in CSPR and burned.
  • Rust and Wasm development workflows differ from standard Solidity setups.

Casper suits enterprise engineering teams and developers building specialized real-world asset tokenization or automated AI agent payment pipelines.

Listings are researched and drafted with AI assistance from public sources, then checked for accuracy and readability. Spot an error? Tell us. Editorial policy.
Sources (3)

Specs

Layer Layer 1 · unverified
Consensus / design Proof of Stake · unverified
Native token CSPR · unverified
EVM compatible No · unverified
Smart contract languages Rust, WebAssembly · unverified
Block time 8 seconds · unverified
Mainnet since 2,021 · unverified
Sequencer Not applicable · unverified
Gas paid in CSPR · unverified

Not disclosed by the provider: Typical transaction fee, Finality, Validators / sequencer, Throughput (TPS), Data availability.

Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.

Key features

WebAssembly contract execution

Smart contracts compile to WebAssembly and can be written in Rust using developer tooling like the Odra framework.

AstralBeam cross-chain bridge

Connects Casper to Ethereum, Base, Polygon, and Robinhood Chain for interoperable asset transfers.

Eight-second block production

The network produces blocks at 8-second intervals, reduced from earlier 16-second times.

On-chain tokenomics voting

Active validators vote directly on protocol parameters, network upgrades, and tokenomic policies on-chain.

Native fee burning

Transaction gas is paid in CSPR tokens and burned directly by the protocol upon execution.

AI agent payment toolkit

Provides x402-standard payment modules allowing AI agents to settle programmatic micropayments per API request.

Inside Casper Association

Casper Wallet

A non-custodial wallet interface for holding, transferring, swapping, and liquid staking CSPR tokens directly on the Casper blockchain.

AstralBeam

A cross-chain bridge protocol designed to transfer compliant real-world assets and liquidity between Casper, Ethereum, Base, Polygon, and Robinhood Chain.

Casper AI Toolkit

A developer framework supporting autonomous AI agents with machine-to-machine micropayments and on-chain contract interactions through the x402 standard.

Odra Smart Contract Framework

A developer framework for writing, testing, and deploying Rust-based WebAssembly smart contracts on the Casper Network.

Casper Association screenshots

Casper homepage hero section with navigation, promotional banner, manifesto headline, and cookie consent dialog
Casper homepage hero section with navigation, promotional banner, manifesto headline, and cookie consent dialog · Oct 21, 2026
FAQ: The Casper Network FAQ page displays developer and dApp questions with installation instructions and navigation links
FAQ: The Casper Network FAQ page displays developer and dApp questions with installation instructions and navigation links · Oct 21, 2026
Docs: Casper's official documentation portal displays an introduction, navigation guidance, and information about the Casper blockchain
Docs: Casper's official documentation portal displays an introduction, navigation guidance, and information about the Casper blockchain · Oct 21, 2026

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FAQ

What is Casper Network?

Casper Network is a permissionless layer-1 Proof-of-Stake blockchain designed for enterprise applications, WebAssembly smart contracts, and real-world asset tokenization. It is supported by the Casper Association.

Does Casper Network have a native token?

Yes, Casper uses CSPR as its native token. CSPR pays transaction gas fees, secures the network through validator staking, and is used for on-chain governance voting.

What smart contract languages are supported on Casper?

Casper compiles smart contracts to WebAssembly, with developers primarily writing code in Rust using frameworks like Odra. EVM compatibility is outlined in the Casper Manifest roadmap.

How does Casper bridge assets to other blockchains?

Casper connects to other ecosystems through AstralBeam, a cross-chain bridge protocol that enables transfers between Casper, Ethereum, Base, Polygon, and Robinhood Chain.

Where is CSPR available to trade?

CSPR trades on Kraken and Kraken Pro for eligible United States users.

Latest from Casper Association on X

Casper
@Casper_Network · 210.3K followers
Follow
The Casper Graveyard is closed, and the top 10 are in 🏆

Here’s the final leaderboard:

🥇 0202...82BE · 6,802
🥈 0202...99CE · 6,657
🥉 0202...7B2B · 5,900
4. 0203...BFA5 · 5,729
5. 0203...2FE9 · 5,246
6. 0203...BEC9 · 5,042
7. 0203...3A97 · 4,805
8. 0202...B5EF · 4,295
9. 0202...74DD · 4,266
10. 0203...3832 · 4,092

Each of our top 10 wins $100 in CSPR. We’ll send the prizes straight to the wallets you played with this week, so keep an eye out

Thank you to everyone who played and shared their scores!
Image attached to the post
6 9 35 2.9K View on X
“Trust me, the numbers are right.”

That’s how most real-world asset data works today.

ProofLayer swaps the promise for a proof, anchored on Casper and open for anyone to check. 👌 https://t.co/4ldbQnfsB4
Image attached to the post
9 16 87 3.7K View on X
Reminder: Casper Forward comes with backup from @ChainGPT_Pad

AI API credits, IDO consideration for the strongest projects, and co-marketing in front of VCs.

Applications are open:

→ https://t.co/V3of0Xa569
2 19 110 7.5K View on X
happy halloween from everyone at Casper 🎃

we'll be revealing the Graveyard winners next week.. https://t.co/B27dm00D22
Image attached to the post
5 10 87 4.7K View on X
https://t.co/uFILzxraGE
2 14 44 4.5K View on X

Recent public posts from @Casper_Network, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.

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