Staking Guide

Stake NEURO tokens to earn higher rewards, become a validator, and secure the network.

Why Stake?

Reward Multipliers

Stake Amount	Duration	Multiplier
0 NEURO	-	1.00x
1,000 NEURO	7 days	1.32x
1,000 NEURO	30 days	1.37x
10,000 NEURO	30 days	1.50x
10,000 NEURO	180 days	1.65x
100,000 NEURO	365 days	1.93x

How to Stake

Step 1: Get NEURO Tokens

Earn NEURO by running a node or acquire through:

Running a worker node
Trading on exchanges (when available)
Receiving from other users

Step 2: Initiate Stake

bash

# Via CLI
neuroshard stake --amount 10000 --duration 30

# Output:
# ✓ Staking 10,000 NEURO for 30 days
# ✓ New reward multiplier: 1.50x
# ✓ Unlock date: 2025-01-04

Step 3: Verify Stake

bash

# Check stake status
neuroshard stake status

# Output:
# Staked: 10,000 NEURO
# Duration: 30 days
# Started: 2024-12-04
# Unlocks: 2025-01-04
# Multiplier: 1.50x

Staking Tiers

Tier 1: Worker (0+ NEURO)

Requirements: None

Benefits:

Participate as worker node
Earn base rewards
Build reputation

Tier 2: Enhanced Worker (1,000+ NEURO)

Requirements:

1,000 NEURO staked
7+ days lock

Benefits:

Up to 1.5x reward multiplier
Priority task assignment
Enhanced reputation building

Tier 3: Validator (DYNAMIC Stake)

Requirements:

Dynamic stake based on network size (see table below)
1+ day lock
2GB+ memory

Benefits:

Computes real cross-entropy loss (LM head)
1.3x validator bonus on rewards
Validation rewards (0.001 NEURO/proof)
Real training impact

Dynamic Validator Stake (Auto-Scaling)

The validator stake requirement scales automatically with network size:

Network Size	Required Stake	Rationale
1-10 validators	100 NEURO	Bootstrap phase - accessible
11-50 validators	250 NEURO	Growing network
51-200 validators	500 NEURO	Established network
201-1000 validators	1,000 NEURO	Mature network
1000+ validators	2,500 NEURO	Large scale - security focus

Why Dynamic Scaling?

Few nodes: Low barrier encourages participation
Many nodes: Higher stakes provide economic security
Automatic: No governance votes needed to adjust
Predictable: Everyone knows the tiers in advance

python

# The actual code
VALIDATOR_STAKE_TIERS = [
    (10, 100.0),       # Bootstrap
    (50, 250.0),       # Growing  
    (200, 500.0),      # Established
    (1000, 1000.0),    # Mature
    (inf, 2500.0),     # Large scale
]

Staking Mechanics

Diminishing Returns

Rewards scale logarithmically to prevent whale dominance:

Multiplier = 1 + log2(stake/100 + 1)/10 x (1 + duration/365 x 0.5)

The curve flattens significantly after 100K stake, meaning additional stake beyond that provides minimal additional benefit.

Lock Period

Staked tokens are locked for the specified duration:

python

# Lock periods
MIN_STAKE_DURATION = 7    # days
MAX_STAKE_DURATION = 365  # days

# Longer locks = higher rewards
duration_bonus = min(0.5, stake_duration_days / 365 * 0.5)

Unstaking Cooldown

After lock expires, unstaking requires a 7-day cooldown:

Slashing

Misbehavior results in stake loss:

Slashing Conditions

Offense	Slash Amount	Cooldown
Invalid PoNW proof	100 NEURO	1 hour
Repeated validation failure	500 NEURO	6 hours
Byzantine behavior	1,000 NEURO	24 hours
Sybil attack	100% of stake	Permanent ban

Slashing Process

python

def slash_for_fraud(node_id: str, offense: str) -> float:
    """Slash a node for fraudulent behavior."""
    
    # Get current stake
    stake = get_stake(node_id)
    if stake == 0:
        return 0
    
    # Calculate slash amount
    slash = min(
        SLASH_AMOUNTS[offense],
        stake * 0.1  # Max 10% per incident
    )
    
    # Apply slash
    reduce_stake(node_id, slash)
    burn_tokens(slash)  # Slashed tokens are burned
    
    # Update reputation
    reduce_reputation(node_id, REPUTATION_PENALTIES[offense])
    
    return slash

Avoiding Slashing

Run reliable hardware: Avoid random failures
Maintain uptime: Stay connected
Keep software updated: Use latest node version
Monitor logs: Watch for errors
Use UPS/stable power: Prevent unexpected shutdowns

Validator Path

Requirements

python

VALIDATOR_REQUIREMENTS = {
    "min_stake": 100,             # NEURO (accessible threshold)
    "min_memory_mb": 2000,        # 2GB RAM
}

Becoming a Validator

No election needed! Once you have 100+ NEURO staked, your node automatically upgrades to Validator and starts computing real cross-entropy loss.

Automatic Demotion

WARNING

Validators are automatically demoted to Workers if they no longer meet requirements:

Demotion triggers:

Unstaking: If you unstake and your remaining stake drops below the dynamic requirement
Tier change: As network grows, stake requirement increases:
- 1-10 validators: 100 NEURO
- 11-50 validators: 250 NEURO
- 51-200 validators: 500 NEURO
- 201-1000 validators: 1,000 NEURO
- 1000+ validators: 2,500 NEURO

The system checks validator eligibility every 60 seconds and automatically demotes nodes that no longer qualify.

TIP

When demoted, your node continues as a Worker - you still earn rewards for processing activations, just at a lower rate than Validators.

Validator Responsibilities

Verify proofs: Validate PoNW submissions
Finalize blocks: Participate in consensus
Maintain liveness: High uptime required
Honest behavior: Report accurate results

Role Verification Security

Important

Nodes cannot fake their role to get higher rewards. The system verifies all role claims.

How Role Verification Works

python

def verify_node_role(node_id, claimed_embed, claimed_head):
    """
    Verify that a node actually holds the layers it claims.
    Checked against layer_pool assignments (authoritative source of truth).
    """
    layer_0_holders = layer_pool.get_layer_holders(0)
    last_layer_holders = layer_pool.get_layer_holders(last_layer)
    
    actual_embed = node_id in layer_0_holders
    actual_head = node_id in last_layer_holders
    
    # If claims don't match reality → REJECT proof
    if claimed_head and not actual_head:
        return False  # Fake Validator detected!
    if claimed_embed and not actual_embed:
        return False  # Fake Driver detected!
    
    return True

What Happens to Fake Claims

Fake Claim	Detection	Consequence
`has_lm_head=True` (not Validator)	Cross-ref layer_pool	Proof REJECTED, logged as warning
`has_embedding=True` (not Driver)	Cross-ref layer_pool	Proof REJECTED, logged as warning
Inflated `layers_held`	Cross-ref layer_pool	Proof REJECTED
Fake `training_batches`	Plausibility checks	Proof REJECTED

Multi-Layer Security

ECDSA Signatures: Prove the node sent the proof (can't forge others' proofs)
Role Verification: Prove the node actually holds claimed layers
Plausibility Checks: Prove the work is physically possible
Rate Limiting: Prevent reward inflation
Gossip Consensus: Cross-validate with other nodes

Validator Rewards

python

# Validators earn more per proof
ROLE_VALIDATOR_REWARD = 1.2  # 1.2x base reward

# Plus stake multiplier
total_multiplier = stake_multiplier * role_multiplier

# Example: 10K stake, 30 days, validator
# stake_multiplier = 1.50
# role_multiplier = 1.2
# total_multiplier = 1.80x

CLI Commands

Check Stake

bash

neuroshard stake status

# Output:
# ╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
# ║           Staking Status                   ║
# ╠════════════════════════════════════════════╣
# ║ Staked Amount:     10,000 NEURO            ║
# ║ Lock Duration:     30 days                 ║
# ║ Start Date:        2024-12-04              ║
# ║ Unlock Date:       2025-01-04              ║
# ║ Days Remaining:    26                      ║
# ║ Multiplier:        1.50x                   ║
# ║ Validator Status:  Eligible                ║
# ╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Increase Stake

bash

neuroshard stake add --amount 5000

# Output:
# ✓ Added 5,000 NEURO to stake
# ✓ New total: 15,000 NEURO
# ✓ New multiplier: 1.55x

Extend Duration

bash

neuroshard stake extend --days 60

# Output:
# ✓ Extended stake by 60 days
# ✓ New unlock date: 2025-03-04
# ✓ New multiplier: 1.68x

Request Unstake

bash

neuroshard stake unstake --amount 5000

# Output:
# ⏳ Unstake requested for 5,000 NEURO
# ⏳ Cooldown period: 7 days
# ⏳ Available on: 2025-01-11

Claim Unstaked

bash

neuroshard stake claim

# Output:
# ✓ Claimed 5,000 NEURO
# ✓ Tokens returned to wallet

Staking Strategy

For New Users

Start small: Stake 1,000 NEURO for 7 days
Build reputation: Run reliably for 30 days
Increase stake: Add more as you earn
Extend duration: Lock longer for better rewards

For Power Users

Stake to validator threshold: 100+ NEURO
Stake more for multiplier: 1,000+ NEURO = 1.1x, 10,000+ = 1.35x
Maintain uptime: Invest in reliable hardware
Become a validator: Compute real loss and earn validation rewards

Risk Management

Don't stake more than you can afford to lose
Diversify: Run multiple smaller nodes vs one large
Monitor slashing: Watch for warnings
Keep reserve: Don't stake 100% of holdings

FAQ

Can I add to my stake during lock period?

Yes, you can add more NEURO at any time. The additional stake inherits the remaining lock duration.

What happens if I go offline while staked?

Short outages are fine. Extended downtime (>6 hours) affects uptime score. Very long outages (>7 days) may trigger slashing.

Can I unstake early?

No. The lock period is enforced. Plan your stake duration carefully.

What if I get slashed?

Slashed tokens are burned. Your remaining stake continues earning. Fix the issue and continue operating.

How are validators selected?

Validators are selected based on stake weight, uptime, accuracy, and reputation. Top candidates are elected periodically.

Next Steps

Running a Node — Start earning
Proof of Neural Work — How rewards work
Token Economics — Economic model

Staking Guide ​

Why Stake? ​

Reward Multipliers ​

How to Stake ​

Step 1: Get NEURO Tokens ​

Step 2: Initiate Stake ​

Step 3: Verify Stake ​

Staking Tiers ​

Tier 1: Worker (0+ NEURO) ​

Tier 2: Enhanced Worker (1,000+ NEURO) ​

Tier 3: Validator (DYNAMIC Stake) ​

Dynamic Validator Stake (Auto-Scaling) ​

Staking Mechanics ​

Diminishing Returns ​

Lock Period ​

Unstaking Cooldown ​

Slashing ​

Slashing Conditions ​

Slashing Process ​

Avoiding Slashing ​

Validator Path ​

Requirements ​

Becoming a Validator ​

Automatic Demotion ​

Validator Responsibilities ​

Role Verification Security ​

How Role Verification Works ​

What Happens to Fake Claims ​

Multi-Layer Security ​

Validator Rewards ​

CLI Commands ​

Check Stake ​

Increase Stake ​

Extend Duration ​

Request Unstake ​

Claim Unstaked ​

Staking Strategy ​

For New Users ​

For Power Users ​

Risk Management ​

FAQ ​

Can I add to my stake during lock period? ​

What happens if I go offline while staked? ​

Can I unstake early? ​

What if I get slashed? ​

How are validators selected? ​

Next Steps ​

Staking Guide

Why Stake?

Reward Multipliers

How to Stake

Step 1: Get NEURO Tokens

Step 2: Initiate Stake

Step 3: Verify Stake

Staking Tiers

Tier 1: Worker (0+ NEURO)

Tier 2: Enhanced Worker (1,000+ NEURO)

Tier 3: Validator (DYNAMIC Stake)

Dynamic Validator Stake (Auto-Scaling)

Staking Mechanics

Diminishing Returns

Lock Period

Unstaking Cooldown

Slashing

Slashing Conditions

Slashing Process

Avoiding Slashing

Validator Path

Requirements

Becoming a Validator

Automatic Demotion

Validator Responsibilities

Role Verification Security

How Role Verification Works

What Happens to Fake Claims

Multi-Layer Security

Validator Rewards

CLI Commands

Check Stake

Increase Stake

Extend Duration

Request Unstake

Claim Unstaked

Staking Strategy

For New Users

For Power Users

Risk Management

FAQ

Can I add to my stake during lock period?

What happens if I go offline while staked?

Can I unstake early?

What if I get slashed?

How are validators selected?

Next Steps