StarGate

Hayabusa Release

This documentation covers StarGate Hayabusa Release (launching December 2, 2025). For details on StarGate Bootstrapping Phase, which is currently ongoing, switch to the corresponding version from the dropdown menu in the top-left corner.

StarGate is a pivotal component of the Hayabusa phase within the broader VeChain Renaissance initiative. It is VeChain’s next-generation staking platform, designed to transform how users participate in the VeChainThor network. It introduces a novel approach by using NFTs as staking collateral, creating a dynamic and transparent framework for delegation, reward distribution, and governance.

StarGate app is available at: https://stargate.vechain.org/

Key Features

• NFT-Based Staking: Users stake VET tokens to mint unique NFTs that represent their staking commitment. These NFTs can be delegated to validator nodes, enabling participation in network validation and reward sharing.

• Earn VTHO: Stakers receive VTHO rewards based on their stake size and the validator they are tied to, aligning incentives across the ecosystem.

• On-Chain Governance: NFT nodes serve not only as staking representations but also as voting instruments for governance, giving stakers a voice in the evolution of the network.

Network Integration via Hayabusa Upgrade

With the Hayabusa hard fork, VeChainThor adopts a Delegated Proof of Stake (dPoS) consensus mechanism. This upgrade introduces:

• A set of 101 validators responsible for producing blocks and securing the network.

• The ability for any user to participate indirectly by staking VET through StarGate and delegating to one of the validators.

StarGate thus serves as the access point for VET holders to become active contributors to network consensus, without needing to run a full validator node.

Bootstrapping Launch: July 2025

The initial release of StarGate, scheduled for July 1, will operate independently of the VeChainThor protocol layer. This pre-Hayabusa phase serves as a bootstrapping period to:

• Allow users to explore and familiarize themselves with the new staking platform.

• Offer enhanced staking rewards as an incentive for early participation.

• Provide a migration path for existing Economic Node and X Node holders to transition their nodes into the new NFT-based system.

Hayabusa Mainnet Launch: December 2 2025

Following the successful Hayabusa network upgrade, scheduled for December 2, the bootstrapping period concludes, transitioning users into the primary network operations. In this phase:

• Full protocol-level integration with validator delegation

• VTHO generation only available for NFTs that actively delegate

• Dynamic APY for VTHO rewards based validators status and performances

Key Dates for Hayabusa Hardfork:

Event	Date	Block Height
Testnet release	November 4, 2025	23221800​
Testnet transition period end	November 11, 2025	23282280​
Mainnet release	December 2, 2025	23414400
Mainnet transition period end	December 9, 2025	23474880

StarGate release for both Hayabusa testnet and mainnet will take place a few hours after the protocol release to ensure a smooth migration process.

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