Staking & Delegation
Overview
QST staking is the core mechanism that secures the QuStream network, allowing users to participate in consensus, validate transactions, and support encryption services. By staking QST, participants earn rewards from token emission and network revenue while ensuring blockchain integrity.
This guide covers:
🔹 How Staking Works
🔹 Validator & Encryption Node Staking
🔹 Delegated Staking for Validators
🔹 Reward Calculation & Payouts
How Staking Works
Staking QST secures the network and provides two primary ways to earn rewards:
✔ Running a Node – Users can stake 200,000 QST to operate a Validator or Encryption Node.
✔ Delegated Staking – Users can delegate QST to Validator Nodes and receive a share of staking rewards.
Rewards come from two sources:
🔹 QST Token Emission Rewards – Distributed every 3 days from the emission schedule.
🔹 Revenue Share – 60% of QuStream’s network revenue is distributed to node operators.
Learn More → Node Rewards & Incentives
Validator Node Staking & Delegation
Validators stake 200,000 QST to secure the blockchain, validate transactions, and participate in governance.
| Feature | Validator Nodes |
|---|---|
| Staking Requirement | 200,000 QST |
| Earns Token Emission Rewards | ✅ Yes |
| Earns Revenue Share | ✅ 15% of total revenue (shared among validators) |
| Supports Delegation | ✅ Yes (Users can delegate QST to Validators) |
| Annual Staking Rewards | ~110,000 QST per year (Year 10 estimate) |
| Rotation Mechanism | ✅ Ensures fair distribution of validation duties |
| Variable Commission | ✅ 0-100% from delegator rewards |
🔹 Validators earn a commission (0-100%) from all delegated staking rewards.
🔹 Delegators earn rewards based on their staked amount, minus the validator’s commission.
🔹 Inactive or malicious validators risk slashing penalties.
Learn More → Validator Node Setup
Encryption Node Staking (No Delegation)
Encryption Nodes stake 200,000 QST to process encryption requests and distribute quantum-safe keys.
| Feature | Encryption Nodes |
|---|---|
| Staking Requirement | 200,000 QST |
| Earns Token Emission Rewards | ✅ Yes |
| Earns Revenue Share | ✅ 45% of total revenue (shared evenly among encryption nodes) |
| Supports Delegation | ❌ No (Only node owners stake) |
| Annual Staking Rewards | ~110,000 QST per year (Year 10 estimate) |
| Handles Encryption Workloads | ✅ Secure key generation and distribution |
🔹 Encryption Nodes earn higher revenue share than Validators but do not support delegation.
🔹 Operators must maintain uptime & performance standards to avoid penalties.
Learn More → Encryption Node Setup
Reward Calculation & Payouts
How Rewards Are Distributed
✔ Staking rewards are distributed every 3 days.
✔ Validator rewards are proportional to their stake + delegation.
✔ Encryption Node rewards are evenly split among all active nodes.
| Source | Validator Nodes | Encryption Nodes |
|---|---|---|
| Staking Rewards (from Token Emission) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Revenue Share from Encryption Fees | ✅ 15% (shared among validators) | ✅ 45% (shared among encryption nodes) |
| Delegation Commissions | ✅ 0-100% | ❌ Not applicable |
Learn More → Revenue Sharing Model
How to Start Staking
To become a validator or encryption node operator, you must:
1️⃣ Acquire 200,000 QST for staking.
2️⃣ Set up your node following the official guide.
3️⃣ Maintain uptime and network participation.
4️⃣ Claim staking rewards every 3 days.
For delegated staking, simply:
1️⃣ Choose a Validator from the active list.
2️⃣ Delegate QST and earn rewards.
3️⃣ Withdraw or redelegate at any time.
Learn More → How to Delegate QST
Conclusion
QST staking provides a secure and rewarding way to participate in the QuStream ecosystem. Whether running a Validator or Encryption Node or delegating QST, stakers support network security and earn rewards from token emission and revenue-sharing incentives.
Next Steps
- Learn How Revenue Sharing Works
- Explore Validator & Encryption Node Setup
- Check Where to Buy QST