ZKsync Launches Historic First Staking Pilot With 10 Million ZK Reward

ZKsync, an Ethereum layer-2 scaling solution, has unveiled its ZKnomics Staking Pilot Program, a six-month initiative to test its staking infrastructure. Set to kick off on February 9, 2026, the program will distribute up to 10 million ZK tokens in rewards during Season One.

ZKsync will distribute rewards continuously, with no lock-up periods or minimum requirements, allowing for flexible unstaking and claiming. The program seeks to significantly boost active voting power while laying the groundwork for future network utilities, including decentralized sequencing.

Program Structure and Participation Details

The pilot program is designed to unfold over two consecutive three-month seasons, with the plan of staking 400 million ZK in Season One. Season Two aims for an ambitious total stake of 1 billion ZK, with no upper limit set. Participants can initially expect to earn rewards at an annualized rate of 3%, which may increase by roughly 1% per week based on participation levels.

This arrangement could bring the maximum annual percentage rate (APR) up to 10%. However, the effective yield over the three months is capped at around 2.5%. Meanwhile, holders can stake their tokens through the Tally interface at vote.zknation.io/dao/stake by connecting their Ethereum wallet and selecting an active delegate, marked with a green tag.

Moreover, rewards are distributed on a pro rata basis based on the amount staked. These rewards can be claimed manually at any time without penalty; however, there are gas fees involved, and automatic compounding is not available. The program focuses on testing rather than ensuring returns. It might stop or end early if it does not meet governance goals.

Community Response and Strategic Importance

ZKsync’s recent announcement has generated a wave of enthusiasm on X, with users applauding its flexibility and alignment with community needs. Community-made videos further explain the initiative, and many users are excited about potential yields. However, some skeptics are questioning the program’s necessity given the current market volatility.

The new program ties rewards to governance, enhancing the network’s reliability and progressing ZKnomics’ vision. Analysts believe the governance boost could positively impact token value as user participation grows, although risks such as contract vulnerabilities remain.

The program prioritizes technical trials and is not a financial investment. Its implications reach into Ethereum’s scaling efforts, as ZKsync positions itself against other layer twos (L2s). The staking initiative is aimed at strengthening the tokenomics and encouraging users to hold their investments for the long haul.

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