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Last updated 2026-11-05 Beta

Staking

Staking locks BTG with a validator so the network can produce blocks, and pays rewards for the lockup. In the Console you can delegate, claim, redelegate, and undelegate from one position view. Every action that changes your stake is a transaction signed in your wallet.

Who this is for

BTG holders who understand that staking is not a savings account: the balance is locked for a period, the return moves, and a validator can underperform or be penalized.

Before you start

  • BTG on Bitgold Mainnet (chain ID 618), plus a little more BTG for gas.
  • A connected wallet that is on the same network as the header selector.
  • The validators list open in the Console: app.bitgold.network/staking/validators.

How staking works

You delegate BTG to a validator's stake contract. The Console converts your BTG into shares of that validator's pool; the shares represent your claim on the staked amount and its rewards. Rewards accrue from the validator's commission-adjusted share of block rewards, and the Console annualizes recent daily rewards into the APY you see.

APY is an estimate, not a rate locked at deposit. It moves with the validator's performance, the total amount staked, and network conditions. Commission is the validator's cut of rewards and can differ sharply between operators.

Undelegating starts an unbonding period. Your BTG stops earning, remains locked until the period ends, and then becomes available to claim. The length is set by the network, not by the Console.

Choose a validator

Open Staking, then Validators. Each row shows the validator's status and the figures the Console can read on-chain:

  • Active validators are in the consensus set and eligible to produce blocks.
  • Candidate validators are registered but not currently active; rewards may be lower or absent.
  • Jailed validators have been removed from consensus for a rule violation or downtime. Delegating to one is a bet on reinstatement.
  • Commission is the share the operator keeps.
  • APY is a recent estimate for that validator, not a guarantee.

Do not pick a row on APY alone. Check status, commission, and whether the operator has a public record you can evaluate. A validator that is jailed after you delegate can leave your stake locked and earning nothing.

Delegate

  1. Open Staking → Validators and select the validator you want.
  2. Review the validator detail: status, commission, APY, and your existing position if any.
  3. Choose Delegate, enter the BTG amount, and review the summary. Leave enough BTG for gas.
  4. Confirm in your wallet. The transaction pays gas and creates the delegation.
  5. Wait for confirmation, then open My Staking to see the position and its shares.

Delegating to several validators is a way to spread operator risk. Each delegation is a separate transaction and a separate gas cost.

Manage your position

  • Claim withdraws accrued rewards to your wallet. Claiming is a transaction and costs gas; claiming tiny amounts frequently can cost more than the reward.
  • Undelegate starts unbonding. The position stops earning immediately and the principal becomes claimable after the unbonding period. Plan for the delay before you need the funds.
  • Redelegate moves stake from one validator to another without waiting for a full unbonding, where the network supports it. It is still a transaction and may have its own limits.
  • My Staking lists positions, the unbonding queue, and claimable amounts. Use it as the source of truth; the validator list shows the network, not your position.

Risks to accept before you sign

  • Variable return. APY can fall, and a validator can stop producing blocks.
  • Lockup. Undelegated BTG is unavailable until unbonding completes.
  • Validator penalties. Network rules can jail a validator, and penalties can reduce what delegators receive.
  • Execution risk. A transaction sent on the wrong network, or with too little gas, fails or lands where you did not intend. Check the header network before every signature.

Verify it worked

  • The transaction hash resolves in www.bitgold.live.
  • My Staking shows the new position with the expected amount.
  • Rewards begin to accrue after the delegation is active; the exact timing depends on the network's reward schedule.
  • After undelegating, the position moves to the unbonding queue with an end time.

Troubleshooting

Problem What to do
The validators list is empty You are probably on testnet, where no validators may be registered. Switch the header to Bitgold Mainnet.
The delegate button is disabled Check the amount against your available balance minus gas, the minimum delegation, and the validator's status.
The transaction fails with an estimate error Add a small gas buffer, confirm the wallet is on chain ID 618, and retry once. Do not keep resubmitting.
Rewards are lower than the advertised APY APY is a recent estimate. Compare the validator's status and commission, and check that the position is active.
The undelegated balance has not arrived It is still unbonding. Check the queue's end time; it cannot be accelerated by support.

Next steps

  • Dashboard — see the network's total stake and active validator count.
  • Migrate — bring Openverse assets over before you stake.
  • Validator operators should use the developer documentation for node setup, BLS keys, and validator creation.