Bitkub Coin (KUB) is the native gas and utility coin of KUB Chain (formerly "Bitkub Chain"), a Thailand-developed, EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain using Proof-of-Stake consensus.
The chain is built and operated by Bitkub Blockchain Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Bitkub Capital Group Holdings. KUB Chain launched in April 2021, and KUB pays transaction fees and secures the network rather than existing as a token on a third-party chain.
KUB's differentiation comes from being the native asset of a self-operated, Thailand-based Layer-1 rather than a token on shared infrastructure. This ties its utility directly to a domestic exchange ecosystem anchored by Bitkub Exchange.
Recent upgrades aim to broaden validator participation and interoperability: the July 2025 Lausanne Upgrade cut slashing penalties, and the project has stated an ambition to reach $300 million in total value locked on KUB Chain by 2027, alongside a targeted throughput of up to 500,000 transactions per second.
KUB is a utility coin, not a governance token: it pays gas fees for transactions and smart-contract execution on KUB Chain.
Validators and delegators stake KUB to secure the network through solo or pool nodes, with slashing penalties applied for misbehavior, reduced under the July 2025 Lausanne Upgrade.
Total and maximum supply is fixed at 110,000,000 KUB; circulating supply is approximately 68,974,776 KUB (about 62.7% of the maximum) as of 2026-09-03.
Vesting for these allocations reportedly extends to 2028. With a hard-capped supply and no mechanism for new issuance beyond it, net emission is disinflationary as remaining allocations unlock toward the fixed ceiling.
KUB Chain launched in April 2021, and KUB Coin was distributed via an initial airdrop of 10,000,000 KUB to Bitkub Exchange customers meeting a minimum purchase-volume threshold. The airdrop was delivered on May 16, 2021.
The supply was allocated at launch across liquidity, community, ecosystem, reserve, airdrop, and strategic-partner funds. Distribution was structured around the exchange-linked airdrop and internally managed reserve funds rather than external fundraising.
KUB is deployed on KUB Chain, an EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain that uses Proof-of-Stake consensus.
The chain runs its own validator set combining permissioned "Official Nodes" with solo and pool validators who stake KUB; the July 2025 Lausanne Upgrade lowered slashing penalties (solo nodes from 1% to 0.1% of stake, pool nodes from 1,000 KUB to 100 KUB) to widen validator participation.
Bitkub Capital Group Holdings was founded in February 2018 by Jirayut "Topp" Srupsrisopa, Atthakrit Chimplapibul, and Sugrit Phutaviriya. Srupsrisopa, Group CEO, holds an MPhil in Economics from Oxford University and previously co-founded bitcoin wallet operator Coins.co.th.
Sakolkorn Sakavee, Co-founder and Chairman of Bitkub Capital Holding Group, is credited with envisioning KUB Chain. Technical development was led by Passakorn Pannok (CEO, Bitkub Blockchain Technology) and Thitipong Krungkaew, with advisory input from Samret Wajanasathian and Jirayut Srupsrisopa.
KUB Chain is built and operated by Bitkub Blockchain Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Bitkub Capital Group Holdings, the parent company of Bitkub Exchange, Thailand's largest domestic cryptocurrency exchange.
Bitkub Blockchain Technology manages the Liquidity Provision Fund, while Bitkub Exchange manages the Initial Airdrop Fund. The group has faced Thai regulatory scrutiny, including a criminal complaint against Bitkub Online Co Ltd and two former directors over reporting following a 2021 cyber-attack, and a 2022 insider-trading fine against a Bitkub executive.
KUB Chain is currently governed through a mix of permissioned "Official Nodes" and staked solo/pool validators.
Since July 2025, the project has stated it is conducting legal studies toward transitioning governance to an independent "KUB Foundation" structure and phasing out Official Nodes over time. The Lausanne Upgrade lowered staking and slashing barriers the same month to broaden validator participation ahead of that transition.
In July 2025, KUB Chain implemented the Lausanne Upgrade, cutting validator slashing penalties, and welcomed SIX Network/JFIN Chain as a new validator node.
CertiK completed an audit of the Bitkub project on 2021-11-17 with no critical, major, medium, or minor findings reported.
CertiK's Skynet score for the project stands at 77.94% overall, with an 85% audit-report sub-score, and lists an active bug bounty program. Thailand's SEC has separately ordered a review of KUB coin's listing status on Bitkub Exchange.