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AML check on Kusama

Kusama is Polkadot's experimental 'canary' network, and its KSM token has real value. Addresses start with a capital letter and share keys with Polkadot accounts.

Address formatStarts with a capital letter (C, D, E, F, G, H or J) · SS58 format, network prefix 2; the same key starts with 1 on PolkadotHgrXkWhhFzZ9nBEE5RtwPJ9AapXL3Zn6HsTAgJkAqmx1Ja4Example for illustration, not a real address.
Note

Since 7 October 2025, KSM balances and staking live on Kusama Asset Hub instead of the relay chain, but your address stays the same. When you check an address, confirm the tool supports Kusama specifically, not just Polkadot.

Services that check Kusama

01Merkle ScienceEnterprise platformPrice on requestNot verifiedNot scored

How to check a Kusama address

  1. Get the public addressAsk your counterparty for the address they will send from — or copy it from the incoming transaction.
  2. Pick a service that covers KusamaChoose one marked “Supported” in the list above. The same key shows a different address on Kusama (starts with a capital letter) and on Polkadot (starts with 1). Confirm which network an address belongs to before you send funds or run a check.
  3. Run the check and read itBe careful with USDT on Kusama. Tether no longer issues or redeems it there, so you may not be able to cash it out through Tether.
A real AML check needs only a public address. Never share a seed phrase or private key.

Kusama specifics

  • Kusama is Polkadot's 'canary network': an earlier release of Polkadot's code that holds real economic value, and the official docs describe it as experimental ('Expect Chaos').[1]
  • Kusama runs roughly four times faster than Polkadot on most timings (block production is the exception). For example, a staking 'era' lasts 6 hours on Kusama versus 24 hours on Polkadot.[2]
  • On 7 October 2025, Kusama moved account balances and staking from the Kusama relay chain to Kusama Asset Hub. Users didn't need to do anything, and funds stayed in the same account.[3]
  • On 29 August 2025, Tether announced it will no longer issue or redeem USDT on Kusama. It also chose not to freeze the tokens, so existing Kusama USDT can still move between wallets.[4]
  • On 6 October 2022, attackers briefly took control of the on-chain council of Mangata X, a Kusama parachain (a separate blockchain connected to Kusama). They used it to move 11,700 KSM out of the parachain's account on Kusama. Mangata said it replaced the stolen amount from its own funds.[5]

Common risks on Kusama

Stolen fundsHighCoins taken in hacks of exchanges, protocols or personal wallets.DeFi protocolLowEstablished on-chain lending, swaps and liquidity pools.ScamHighMoney taken through fake investments, phishing, impersonation and similar deception.

FAQ

Why does my Kusama address look different from my Polkadot address?

Both come from the same key pair. Each network just displays it with its own prefix: Kusama addresses start with a capital letter such as C, D, E, F, G, H or J, while Polkadot addresses start with 1.

Is there native USDT or USDC on Kusama?

Not anymore for USDT. In August 2025, Tether said it is ending direct issuance and redemption of USDT on Kusama, although existing tokens can still be transferred. Kusama also doesn't appear on Circle's official list of native USDC networks (Polkadot does).

How do I check a Kusama address for AML risk?

Copy the public address, open one of the services listed above that supports Kusama, and run the check. You never need a seed phrase or private key.

What does “Not verified” mean?

The service claims support somewhere — in marketing copy or a third-party page — but its own docs, pricing or FAQ do not list the network. Treat it as unknown.

Sources

  1. Polkadot Wiki (Web3 Foundation) — Getting Started with Kusama. Checked 4 Oct 2026.
  2. Polkadot Wiki (Web3 Foundation) — Introduction to Staking. Checked 4 Oct 2026.
  3. Polkadot Wiki (Web3 Foundation) — Asset Hub Migration - What You Must Know. Checked 4 Oct 2026.
  4. Tether — Tether Provides Update on Transition Plan for Legacy Blockchains (29 Aug 2025). Checked 4 Oct 2026.
  5. Mangata Finance — Council Incident Report (8 Oct 2022). Checked 4 Oct 2026.