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Staking on ZIGChain

TL;DR: ZIGChain staking lets token holders delegate ZIG to validators, earn rewards, and help secure the chain. Validators run nodes. Delegators pick validators without running their own nodes.

Overview​

ZIGChain staking is how token holders delegate ZIG to validators and earn rewards. Delegators help secure the chain and take part in governance without running a node. Validators run the nodes that check transactions and produce blocks. The chain uses Tendermint Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) to agree on each block.

This page covers ZIGChain staking roles, the bond-to-reward flow, and the 21-day unbonding wait when you unstake. It also explains slashing risks and where to stake in the browser. ZIGChain staking sits at the core of chain security and long-term health for the network.

Start here before you bond tokens. Reward rates and APR math live on Staking APR on ZIGChain. To move stake between validators without unbonding, see Staking Redelegation on ZIGChain. Step-by-step Hub actions are in Staking on ZIGChain Hub.

Key Concepts​

  • Validator: A node operator who validates transactions, creates blocks, and secures the network while earning fees and block rewards.
  • Delegator: A ZIG holder who takes part in ZIGChain staking by delegating tokens without running validator nodes.
  • Tendermint BFT: The Byzantine Fault Tolerance consensus mechanism the chain uses to agree on blocks.
  • Unbonding period: The 21-day wait after unstaking before delegated ZIG tokens can be withdrawn.
  • Slashing: A penalty on validators and their delegators for misconduct or missed uptime on the network.
  • Block rewards: Network-issued rewards shared between validators and delegators for securing the chain.

Key Components of ZIGChain Staking​

ZIGChain staking revolves around two participants on the network. Validators and delegators each play a distinct part in bond and reward flows. The lists below spell out what each group does day to day.

Validators​

Validators are node operators who:

  • Validate transactions, create new blocks, and secure the network
  • Maintain secure, highly available infrastructure
  • Earn rewards from transaction fees and block rewards
  • Are selected based on total delegated ZIG tokens (self-staked + delegators)

Delegators​

Delegators are ZIG holders who:

  • Participate in network security without operating validator infrastructure
  • Contribute to decentralization by delegating tokens to validators
  • Earn a portion of block rewards and transaction fees
  • Carefully select validators based on performance and reputation
  • Share risks, including potential slashing penalties

How ZIGChain Staking Works​

ZIGChain staking follows four steps from validator pick to unstake. Each step below matches what delegators do on chain or in a wallet. Read the list in order when you bond ZIG for the first time on the network.

You may split stake across more than one validator if you want to spread risk. The network pays rewards on bonded amounts while tokens stay delegated.

  1. Select a Validator:

    • Choose from available validators to delegate your ZIG tokens
    • Validators are ranked based on their performance, commission rates, and other factors
    • You can distribute your tokens across multiple validators to diversify your stake

  2. Delegate ZIG Tokens:

    • Delegate your ZIG tokens to the selected validator using the ZIGChain CLI or a wallet interface
    • Select the amount of ZIG tokens you wish to delegate to your chosen validator(s)

  3. Earn Rewards:

    • Earn staking rewards based on your delegated amount
    • Rewards are distributed automatically by the network

  4. Unstake:

    • Delegators can unstake (undelegate) ZIG tokens to withdraw them from the staking pool
    • A 21-day waiting period (unbonding) applies to all unstaking requests for network security
    • ZIG tokens become available for withdrawal after this period

Stake Using ZIGChain Hub​

You can stake $ZIG tokens easily using ZIGChain Hub — a simple and intuitive web interface that doesn't require any CLI knowledge.

📖 Want to learn how to stake using ZIGChain Hub? Check out our comprehensive guide: Staking on ZIGChain Hub — Complete step-by-step instructions with screenshots for staking, managing, unstaking, and claiming rewards.

Security Measures and Slashing Penalties​

While staking on ZIGChain is rewarding, it also comes with inherent risks due to slashing mechanisms. Slashing is a penalty enforced on validators (and indirectly their delegators) for misconduct or negligence. This mechanism ensures that validators remain accountable and uphold the network's integrity.

The events below describe the two slashing types on ZIGChain.

Types of Slashing Events​

  • Double Signing: If a validator signs two conflicting blocks at the same height, they incur a severe penalty. This type of violation is considered highly detrimental to network integrity and results in a 5% slash on staked tokens, along with the validator's removal from the active set.
  • Downtime: Validators must maintain high uptime. If a validator goes offline for an extended period, they incur a slashing penalty (0.01%). This penalty is intended as a minor deterrent, encouraging validators to maintain high uptime without severely impacting their stake.

Become a Validator or Delegator on ZIGChain​

Dive deeper into ZIGChain staking with this resource:

Delegator's FAQ: Answers to common questions from delegators about how staking works, rewards, and managing their stake.

Common Questions​

What is the unbonding period when I unstake on ZIGChain?​

When you unstake (undelegate) ZIG tokens during ZIGChain staking, a 21-day unbonding period applies before those tokens are available to withdraw. The network uses this wait to protect security while stake leaves the active pool. Until the period ends, those tokens stay locked and cannot be sent or traded. Plan liquid ZIG needs before you start an unstake if you rely on quick access to funds.

What slashing penalties apply to delegators on ZIGChain?​

Validators face slashing for double signing (5% of staked tokens and removal from the active set) or extended downtime (0.01%). Delegators in ZIGChain staking share those risks through the validators they choose. A slash hits the validator’s bonded stake, which includes delegator funds delegated to that operator. Pick validators with strong uptime and a clean history to reduce exposure to these events.