Zama Mainnet Staking Goes Live with Square Root of 18 Node Architecture

The open-source cryptography firm Zama has officially unveiled its $ZAMA token staking functionality on its mainnet, marking a significant milestone in its ecosystem development. The platform’s innovative approach features 18 operational nodes, with staking participants able to delegate their tokens and generate returns. This infrastructure rollout represents Zama’s commitment to building sustainable, decentralized participation mechanisms for its fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) solutions.

Dual-Node System Powers $ZAMA Staking Rewards

The staking architecture comprises two distinct node types that work in tandem to secure the network and process critical operations. FHE nodes handle the intensive cryptographic computations that form the backbone of Zama’s encryption system, while KMS nodes manage threshold decryption responsibilities. The ingenious aspect lies in how rewards are allocated: the system uses a mathematical weighting model where FHE nodes receive 40% of total rewards and KMS nodes receive 60%, with allocation proportional to the square root of stake amounts. This square root approach prevents dominant whales from capturing disproportionate rewards, creating a more equitable distribution model that encourages broader participation.

Weighted Reward Distribution: How the Math Works

The reward structure is designed to balance network security with fairness. Staking tokens function as proof of participation and effectively represent proportional claims on the total reward pool. A distinctive feature is that accumulated rewards can be withdrawn on-demand without penalty, providing flexibility for stakers. However, the unbinding period extends for 7 days once withdrawal is initiated, giving the network a reasonable settlement window. This design encourages long-term participation while maintaining user control over capital.

Getting Started: Timeline and Participation Guide

The Zama staking portal is now operational for community members ready to participate. Public sale participants and existing $ZAMA holders have a clear path forward: token claims and staking deposits open on February 2nd. This timeline provides roughly a week for the community to prepare, set up wallet connections, and execute their staking strategies. Early participants will benefit from the full reward accrual starting immediately upon deployment.

The launch of mainnet staking represents Zama’s next chapter, transitioning from development to active community-driven governance and value distribution, all underpinned by the mathematical elegance of its square root weighting mechanism.