VeChain Unveils Staking Platform with $15M in Bonus Rewards Amid SEC Clarity

VeChain has launched its staking platform StarGate with up to $15 million in bonus rewards. The platform allows users to stake their VET tokens and receive VTHO tokens in return. The SEC has clarified that protocol staking does not constitute securities offerings, aligning with the launch of the first staking ETF in the US. VeChain's staking initiative aims to bolster its platform with native staking and non-fungible token technology.

VeChain, a prominent blockchain platform, has introduced its StarGate staking program, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of its native staking capabilities. The program, which began on July 1, is backed by a $15 million bonus pool over six months. This initiative aligns with the recent clarification from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that protocol staking activities do not constitute securities offerings. The industry is anticipating approvals for staking ETFs by late 2025, positioning VeChain at the forefront of the institutional staking wave [1].

The launch of StarGate is a key component of VeChain's Renaissance technical roadmap. This upgrade introduces improved tokenomics, a new staking model, and features such as EVM equivalence and JSON RPC. The goal is to enhance the economic attractiveness and ease of building on the VeChainThor blockchain. The new Weighted Delegated Proof of Stake consensus mechanism allows VET holders with as little as 10,000 VET to participate in staking, thereby enhancing network security and earning rewards [1].

Sunny Lu, CEO and Founder of VeChain, commented on the SEC's guidance, stating that it validates VeChain's compliant and accessible staking model. The model treats rewards as compensation for network services rather than investment returns. VeChain's innovative approach leverages NFTs to represent participation, ensuring simplicity for users and full regulatory alignment. This model is particularly appealing to institutions that are increasingly attracted to the crypto industry, especially as major ETF issuers seek staking integration for their products and banks receive authorization to validate Ethereum transactions [1].

To encourage widespread adoption of the new staking model, the VeChain Foundation has committed 5.48 billion VTHO tokens, valued at approximately $15 million, to provide a six-month bonus boost to the rewards program. This initiative offers substantially enhanced Annual Percentage Yields (APY) to early participants who migrate their existing nodes and stake their VET tokens. Even after the six-month bonus window, nodes will continue to generate higher APY than the current iteration. The approved staking tiers include nodes with a VET staking requirement ranging from 10,000 VET to 15.6 million VET [1].

VeChain is a pioneer in blockchain-powered solutions for the tokenization of assets and actions. Built on this foundation, the VeBetter ecosystem leverages decentralized applications (dApps) to drive sustainability, rewarding users with B3TR tokens for their impactful actions. By incentivizing sustainable choices, VeBetter fosters long-term behavioral change, creating a lasting positive impact on society. Since its launch in 2024, VeBetter has enabled nearly 20 million tokenized, sustainable actions [1].

The launch of StarGate staking comes as ETF issuers and banks weigh staking integrations following the SEC’s landmark decision that protocol staking does not constitute a securities offering. The SEC found that staking rewards stem from participants’ actions, not others’ efforts, thereby removing registration requirements for solo, self-custodial, and custodial staking [2].

VeChain’s staking initiative aims to bolster its platform with native staking and non-fungible token technology, positioning it as a leader in the compliant and accessible blockchain participation space. The generous rewards pool ensures that early adopters benefit while contributing to network decentralization. To participate in StarGate staking and earn enhanced rewards, VET must be moved from exchanges to self-custody wallets, such as VeChain’s official wallet - VeWorld. Only self-custodied tokens will be eligible to receive the staking NFT required for activation [1].

References:

[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/vechain-launches-stargate-staking-program-15-million-bonus-pool-2507/
[2] https://cryptopotato.com/vechain-kicksoff-15m-stargate-staking-program-after-secs-staking-clarity/