A Minecraft-Based “Proof of Game” Layer 1 Project: KMC (KittyMineCoin)

Project Overview

KMC (KittyMineCoin) is the world’s first Layer 1 blockchain project linked with the video game Minecraft. It introduces a new consensus mechanism called “Proof of Game”, whereby the operation of the blockchain network is tied directly to Minecraft gameplay. In simpler terms, activities in a Minecraft server – such as farming or fishing – translate into the blockchain’s validation work. The development team describes this as “the first Layer 1 Proof-of-Game blockchain built on top of Minecraft”, and it is implemented in Java (Minecraft Java Edition 1.21.1).

Technical Characteristics

KMC is an independent Layer 1 chain operated through its own node program (KMCoin 0.1.0). The blockchain is designed to attempt block creation every 30 seconds, with a 50% success probability based on in-game events, resulting in an average of one block per minute. In other words, about 1,440 blocks are created per day, capable of handling up to 144,000 transactions. Although this block generation speed is much faster than Bitcoin (which targets one block every 10 minutes), each block is limited to 100 transactions, so the daily throughput is approximately 1.7 TPS.

The currency supply structure has a halving schedule similar to Bitcoin. The first block reward is set at 100,000 trillion $KMC, which is 2 trillion times the original reward unit of 50 BTC in Bitcoin. KMC aims for an integer-only currency without decimals. There is a halving every ~4 years (2,100,000 blocks), with a total supply of about 42 sextillion (4.2 × 10^22) coins planned. The astronomically large supply ensures that sufficient minimum units are available even without decimals, and it is said that “1 satoshi = 20,000 KMC” if compared to Bitcoin’s unit structure.

KMC uses Java-based log files to manage its blockchain ledger for greater efficiency. The blockchain data (ledger) is stored by each node program in a separate folder as log files, and each block’s data size is optimized to be within 25.6KB. Even under maximum transaction load, the ledger is designed to stay around 1TB over 74 years, ensuring long-term operational feasibility. The project also emphasizes fast synchronization: a new node joining the network only needs to download about 200MB of data. The key consensus hash (consensus_HASH) is calculated by combining double SHA-256 hashes of the ledger and player information, and is shared by trusted nodes. Currently, the official Minecraft server operator distributes these ledger files, but the plan is to strengthen decentralization by having independent validator nodes host the ledger files in the future.

Consensus Mechanism and Minecraft-Based Verification

The most distinctive feature of KMC is the use of Minecraft gameplay in its consensus mechanism. Described as a combination of “Proof of Game (PoG) + Proof of Work,” the creation of blocks is driven by both player effort (work) within the game and randomness. Below is a simplified outline of the process:

• Joining the Minecraft server: Users connect to KMC’s official Minecraft server (play.thekittymine.com) and start playing. The initial lobby features a small pond and potato farm, where players can farm potatoes or fish for resources. Poisonous Potatoes are especially important, as they are a low-probability drop that grants attempts at block mining.

• Obtaining Mining Attempts: When holding a Poisonous Potato, a player can type /trigger gethash to receive a “hashtry” (a mining attempt). Each Poisonous Potato yields one hash attempt. Gathering more attempts requires diligent farming or fishing in the game to collect these items.

• Block Hash Challenge: Holding a hashtry, the player uses /trigger tryhash to challenge the block hash calculation. The server then teleports the player to a specific area filled with bees and asks them to choose “odd or even.” This is a 50% chance event, determined by whether the sum of the teleport coordinates is odd or even. If the player guesses correctly, they are teleported again to a larger region, and the coordinates from that event are collected. From these random coordinates, four 9-digit hash values (newhash) are generated and recorded on the in-game blockchain (in the form of Acacia signboards). Information such as the successful player’s UUID, game time, block number, and total attempts/failures is also posted so that all players can transparently view the block creation process. Storing block creation details on physical signs in the Minecraft world is a unique and transparent design choice.

• Block Finalization and Ledger Update: Once a player successfully mines a block in-game, the external KMC node program (KMCoin 0.1.0) receives that block information and records it in the blockchain ledger. Specifically, the block data (MC block) from the Minecraft server is combined with the successful player’s name and that player’s private-key-based block hash to form the final block hash. The player’s block hash is defined as the MC block data + user private key, hashed by SHA-256 exactly 2002 times. The private key itself is generated by double SHA-256 hashing the user’s password. Once set, this value cannot be changed, so a secure password is required. The block hash and transactions are then added to the ledger_current.log, while player_info.log and the overall ledger hash list (ledgerhashes.log) are updated. Finally, the consensus hash (consensus_HASH), calculated by combining the hashes of these three logs, is recorded, finalizing the block.

• Transaction Processing: KMC blocks also process transactions at the moment of mining. Each block can contain up to 100 transactions. The maximum of 100 transactions per block is prioritized by gas fee (minimum 1 KMC), or if fewer than 100 transactions are waiting, all are included regardless of fee. Transactions are authenticated using a custom method that involves computing a “serial hash” from the user’s private key and the hash of the first mined block. All transaction details are stored in the node program’s logs and are reflected in the ledger upon block finalization.

Summarizing, KMC’s consensus process can be seen as “play the game → collect items → hash challenge (50% chance) → if successful, a block is created.” This incorporates both labor (in-game work) and luck (random events), adding fun and tension for participants while aiming to reduce the high resource consumption typical of traditional mining. Notably, rather than requiring GPUs or ASICs, users simply need a Minecraft client on a PC, which lowers the barrier to entry and encourages community participation.

However, in the current structure, the single Minecraft server coordinates all block creation, effectively acting as a central node. Traditional blockchains have multiple nodes competing or cooperating to produce blocks, whereas KMC currently relies on a single official server generating them in sequence. Some critics raise concerns about centralization, but the project team claims that “apart from the server operator, the system is truly decentralized.” All players hold the same ledger file for verification, and if the official server fails or behaves maliciously, the community can start a new server and continue mining from the last known block number. In other words, the server itself can be replaced at any time, while the ledger remains distributed among participants – ensuring the network’s longevity and security, according to the team’s philosophy. This innovative consensus mechanism highlights both the possibility of merging gaming with blockchain and the new challenges of minimizing dependence on a central server.

Differences from Other Layer 1 Blockchains

KMC differs from existing Layer 1 blockchains in several ways. The most notable distinction is the consensus mechanism and method of mining participation. For instance, Bitcoin is purely PoW-based, rewarding whoever invests substantial computational power to solve hash puzzles, whereas KMC uses in-game activities to earn mining rights and a 50% chance challenge to create a block. This means anyone can participate in mining with a standard PC running Minecraft, without requiring expensive hardware or high energy consumption. While other chains like Ethereum or Solana rely on PoS and target thousands of TPS with complex smart contracts, KMC offers relatively low TPS and a simple UTXO-based transaction structure, focusing instead on engaging the gaming community directly in the blockchain network.

Another difference is its approach to decentralization. Conventional blockchains maintain multiple nodes simultaneously, reaching consensus through distributed algorithms. In KMC’s model, one game server handles real-time block creation, while every user holds a copy of the ledger and can replace the server if necessary. This can be viewed as a “plugin-based consensus node” concept: although there is only one consensus node (the Minecraft server) at any moment, anyone can spin up a new one, and the ledger is stored in a distributed manner, so there is effectively no central authority. Nonetheless, from a technical standpoint, the fact that there is a single point of failure (the server) is subject to debate. As more independent validator nodes join and multiple servers collaborate, KMC may move closer to the traditional concept of decentralization.

Security-wise, PoW chains correlate security with the difficulty of cryptographic puzzles, while KMC leverages in-game difficulty and randomness. Unless an attacker hacks the Minecraft server or uses bots to manipulate the game, block generation depends on fair random events. The server’s data pack and node program are open source and verifiable, designed so that the operator cannot unilaterally alter them. In other words, the game rules themselves – encoded in the software – function as the consensus rules, relying heavily on community trust. Unlike conventional blockchains where the network protocol is the definitive source of trust, KMC’s model places paramount importance on the integrity of the game server software.

In summary, KMC’s strengths lie in its ease of participation, fun factor, community building through Minecraft, and the potential for new use cases stemming from its novel consensus structure. By leveraging the worldwide popularity of Minecraft, it effectively “gamifies” blockchain mining. On the other hand, its performance (TPS) and support for smart contracts are far more limited than other Layer 1s, and concerns regarding the centralization of the consensus mechanism remain. Nevertheless, KMC occupies a unique niche in the blockchain landscape by pursuing an unprecedented approach.

Current Market Conditions and Investor Interest

Since its launch in early 2025, KMC has generated significant buzz among online communities and investors. Recently, $KMC was listed on the Solana-based DEX Raydium, triggering a surge in speculative interest. Within just a few hours of launch, the token price skyrocketed by several hundred percent, with a 24-hour trading volume exceeding USD 8 million. Over 2,800 unique holders appeared on the first day, and approximately USD 90,000 in liquidity was provided to the pool, indicating a rapid influx of market participants. At one point, KMC rose by over 1,000% in a single day, ranking among the top gainers on the Solana DEX – a clear sign of strong investor enthusiasm.

Investors are drawn to KMC largely due to the massive user base and brand recognition of Minecraft. The novel idea of “mining crypto with Minecraft” has piqued curiosity among both crypto communities and gamers, fueling initial investment demand. Furthermore, in the mid-2020s, GameFi and metaverse themes have continued to be popular, and KMC presents a fresh take on integrating a mainstream game with blockchain – making it an appealing thematic addition to investment portfolios.

Of course, whether this attention translates into sustainable value remains uncertain. Microsoft’s Mojang, the developer of Minecraft, has historically expressed negative views on NFT and blockchain integrations, raising the possibility of future policy conflicts. Fortunately, KMC operates on independent servers, which sidesteps direct conflicts with Mojang’s rules, but legal and policy risks cannot be dismissed. Additionally, the token’s rapid price surge appears largely speculative; if user adoption and network effects do not materialize, volatility could be high.

Nonetheless, initial market reception is positive, with a community-driven approach to growing the project. For example, KMC’s token information page was created by the community, and its official website and social channels (X/Twitter, Discord, etc.) are actively promoted by participants. In summary, KMC is currently a small but fast-growing Layer 1 blockchain that has captured significant attention thanks to its innovative concept. Should it successfully onboard Minecraft users and maintain stable network operations, it could carve out a solid position in the emerging intersection of gaming and blockchain.