Delegator FAQs
1. What is a delegator on the Core blockchain?
In the Core ecosystem, delegation is a fundamental mechanism that allows BTC miners and BTC and CORE token holders to participate actively in the network's security and governance without being validators themselves. This process involves the delegators entrusting their voting and operational power to validators, who then use the delegated resources (BTC hash power, BTC, and CORE) to participate in the network's consensus process and governance decisions.
2. What are the different types of delegations that can be done on Core due to the Satoshi Plus Consensus Mechanism?
- BTC/CORE Delegation to Validators: This type of delegation allows BTC and CORE token holders to support specific validators by staking and delegating their tokens to them. In return, validators use the aggregated power to secure the network, validate transactions, and produce blocks. Delegators share in the rewards earned by their chosen validators, receiving a portion of the transaction fees and block rewards in proportion to their stake.
- Hash Power Delegation from BTC Miners: Bitcoin miners can delegate a portion of their computational hash power to validators on the Core network. This unique form of delegation leverages the security and work already being done on the Bitcoin network to enhance the security of Core blockchain.
3. How can one delegate CORE tokens in Core?
By delegating CORE to Validators, CORE holders can help secure the network and share in system rewards. Please refer to the detailed guide on CORE Delegation for more details.
4. What are the minimum staking period requirements for BTC and BTC Hash Power delegation?
For BTC and BTC hash power delegation the minimum requirement is that of 10 days, i.e., you cannot un-delegate your stake prior to 10 days. Technically, (`CLTV timestamp - transaction confirmation timestamp > 10 days`).
5. What are the benefits of delegating BTC or CORE tokens?
This type of delegation allows BTC and CORE token holders to support specific validators by delegating their tokens to them. In return, validators use the aggregated power to secure the network, validate transactions, and produce blocks. Delegators share in the rewards earned by their chosen validators, receiving a portion of the transaction fees and block rewards in proportion to their stake.
6. How does one delegate hash power on Core netowrk?
By delegating hash power to Validators, BTC miners can help secure the network and get share in system rewards. Please refer to the detailed guide on hash power delegation for more details.
7. How can a delegator maximize their rewards?
To maximize their rewards, delegators will look both for validators that are generous in their payouts, but also don’t already have a substantial amount of delegated CORE tokens or delegated PoW. The less a given validator has staked, the greater a contribution from a delegator will be. If a delegator adds one CORE token to a validator that only has one token, they’re 50% of that validator’s total delegation. If they delegate to a validator with 99 CORE tokens, they’re only 1% of that validator’s total delegation. Since payouts are determined in part based on the percentage of total stake each delegator accounts for, they’ll be incentivized to try and find validators with small delegations.
8. Can you change your validator once you have delegated?
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Hash Power: hash is delegated separately in each BTC block mined; and once delegated no further transfer can be made.
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BTC Delegation: users lock up their BTC and designate a validator to stake to on Core. They can transfer BTC stake to other validators on Core, but will lose the rewards of the acting day.
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CORE Delegation: users can transfer to other validators and will still receive the rewards of the acting day.
9. Are there any fees associated with delegating BTC or CORE tokens or hash power?
Other than the transaction fee/gas charges, Core doesn’t charge any additional fees for delegation of BTC hash power, BTC or CORE tokens.
10. How long does it take to start earning rewards after delegation of BTC,CORE or Bitcoin hash power?
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BTC hash power delegators: The Core blockchain uses Bitcoin network block records from seven days ago for hybrid score calculations. Additionally, after a validator is elected, staking rewards are distributed on the second day of the switched round. Therefore, after delegating their hash power, miners/mining pools will have their hash power used in the Validator election calculation N+7 days later and will have claimable rewards N+8 days later.
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CORE/BTC delegators: after delegating their CORE/BTC, delegators will have their assets used in the Validator election calculation for the next round and will have claimable rewards a round later.
11. How can delegators claim their rewards?
Refer to the detailed guide here on Claiming Rewards earned through staking of BTC and CORE. In case of BTC Hash Power delegation, refer here.
12. When are the rewards paid out?
The rewards are paid out at the end of each round of consensus on the Core blockchain.
13. What happens if a validator stops performing or is penalized?
Poor performance or misconduct by validators can result in penalties like slashing of stakes and jailing. Note that delegators will not lose their staked assets, the penalties on validators will only be affecting the delegator's daily rewards.