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Why Stake VFY? The Simple Answer

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Now that VFY is live, more holders are asking the same question:

Should I stake my VFY?

If you’re new to proof-of-stake networks, staking might feel complicated. But the reality is much simpler than it seems, and for many people in the zkVerify ecosystem, staking is the next natural step.

Here’s the retail-first breakdown of why staking matters, how it benefits you as a holder, and what validators actually do.

Why are people choosing to stake VFY

Let’s start with the basics. Staking VFY gives you three core benefits.

1. You help secure the network

zkVerify is designed to verify proofs for developers at massive scale. For that system to work, the network needs strong economic security.

Staking provides that.

Your staked VFY becomes part of the trust layer that protects zkVerify. More stake makes the network:

  • Harder to attack
  • More expensive to manipulate
  • More reliable for developers who use it

If you care about the long-term success of zkVerify, staking is one of the clearest ways to contribute.

2. You earn rewards, passively

When validators produce valid blocks, rewards are generated. A portion of those rewards is shared with the people who stake behind them.

The exact reward amount varies, because each validator sets a commission rate. That’s their fee for running the infrastructure. After that fee is taken out, the remaining rewards are distributed to the stakers.

It’s simple:

  • Pick one or more validators that you trust
  • Stake your VFY
  • Earn rewards as they produce blocks

3. You stay aligned with the ecosystem’s growth

Staking isn’t just about rewards, it’s about being part of the network’s long-term future.

As proof volume increases, developer activity grows, and the network scales, VFY and zkVerify move forward together. Staked token holders help make that future possible.

This is why many long-term holders see staking as their default strategy.

So what do validators actually do?

Validators are the backbone of zkVerify.

They:

  • Run high-uptime servers
  • Process transactions
  • Verify proofs
  • Produce blocks
  • Keep the network in sync
  • Maintain the integrity of the chain

Think of validators as the operators who keep zkVerify alive 24/7. They take on the heavy responsibility of running core infrastructure so the ecosystem can focus on building.

As a staker (also called a nominator), you support their work and receive part of the rewards they earn.

What about governance?

A key point many people miss:

Governance rights come from holding VFY, not from staking it.

Whether you stake or not, you will be able to:

  • Vote on upgrades
  • Participate in treasury decisions
  • Help shape the future of zkVerify

But staking does not limit your ability to vote. You can stake and participate in governance at the same time, no need to choose.

What to know before staking

Here are the high-level things to keep in mind:

  • Unbonding period: Once you choose to unstake, your tokens remain locked for seven days.
  • Validator performance matters: Choose validators carefully. Rewards vary.
  • There is a slashing risk: If a validator behaves maliciously, a portion of the stake behind them can be slashed. This is rare, but real. Therefore, DYOR and choose validators carefully.
  • Always do your own research: Understand the risks before staking any token, VFY included.

Up next: How to stake VFY

In the final blog of this series, we’ll walk through exactly how to stake your VFY using the most retail-friendly wallet option available. We’ll point you to official tutorials for both SubWallet and PolkadotJS so you can choose whichever path feels right for you.

Stay tuned.