A Guide to the DoubleZero Delegation Program (DZDP)

DoubleZero has established a Solana stake pool with an initial deposit of 3,000,000 SOL to accelerate validator growth and performance across the Solana ecosystem. In this first phase, stake is delegated to Solana validators actively connected to the DoubleZero network during testnet. These early delegations lay the groundwork for broader decentralization ahead of the DoubleZero mainnet-beta launch this fall.

All validators are invited to participate in DoubleZero’s testnet, and the stake pool. When possible, stake is rebalanced and may occur as often as once per week.

Here’s your guide on how to get in, how to stay in, and how to qualify for future delegations.

TL;DR: Checklist

Run a Solana mainnet validator
Connect to the DoubleZero testnet
Attract stake and maintain strong performance metrics
Keep your commission fair and low
Prepare for region-specific delegation in mainnet-beta phase
Look for new delegations approximately every week

How to Receive a Delegation

To be considered for delegation, validators must be connected to the DoubleZero network.

The vast majority of the stake pool is allocated for those who connect their mainnet Solana validators to the DoubleZero network, based on the IP address exposed in Solana gossip.

The validators must hit certain performance and compliance criteria. As of writing, those thresholds are:

Over 10,000 staked SOL in each of the last thirty epochs
Commissions not to exceed 10% within the last thirty epochs
Vote latency scores below 1.2, averaged over the last thirty epochs

If those thresholds are achieved, delegations will be made commensurate with stake, commission rates, and other factors including geography and load balancing the DoubleZero testnet. Finally, all delegations will be adjusted for the length of time that the validator is connected to DoubleZero. Recent entrants will receive small delegations relative to those who have been on DoubleZero for longer periods of time.

This initial phase of delegation rewards early adopters helping test and refine the DoubleZero network, the same validators shaping performance ahead of mainnet-beta.

The eligibility criteria may be changed at any time without advance notice. See disclaimers below.

How to Keep a Delegation: Program Timeline

Delegation isn’t forever, it’s earned and maintained.

The first wave of delegations went live in epoch 825. Future delegations and re-delegations are expected to happen at a weekly cadence when possible.

Here’s how to stay eligible:

Stay connected to DoubleZero.
Keep vote performance and other performance metrics high.
Maintain a commission rate below 10%.

Delegations will be re-evaluated ahead of mainnet-beta launch, with potential adjustments in mid-August. Continued participation and performance matter.

Soon after DoubleZero moves to mainnet-beta, the program will widen its focus towards incentivizing geographic decentralization.

This could include prioritizing validators in underrepresented regions and having location-specific eligibility requirements. DoubleZero Foundation takes its secondary goal of decentralization of Solana stake seriously. You can learn more here.

How to Qualify for Future Delegations

Phase two of the Delegation Program begins with the DoubleZero mainnet-beta launch this fall, and it comes with a shift in focus: geographic decentralization.

Here’s what to expect:

A formal application process to confirm eligibility for future delegation
Region-based eligibility, prioritizing operators in underserved geographies
Dedicated support for validators in areas where DoubleZero’s network providers are expanding their high-performance fiber infrastructure

If you’re operating in a region where running a validator hasn’t historically been profitable, a delegation may help change that over the long-term.

Summary

DoubleZero is here to build a faster, fairer internet, and that starts with where validators run and how they’re supported. Thank you for helping us shape the next era of high-performance, decentralized blockchain infrastructure.

dzSOL is high-bandwidth, low-latency SOL.

How to Get Involved Today

Deposit SOL: https://app.sanctum.so/dzSOL

Swap dzSOL: https://jup.ag/tokens/Gekfj7SL2fVpTDxJZmeC46cTYxinjB6gkAnb6EGT6mnn

Questions? Jump in Discord: https://www.discord.gg/doublezerotech

Stake to DoubleZero: (Coming Soon)

Disclaimers

Participation in the stake pool involves the use of novel technologies and may carry financial, regulatory, and technical risks. The stake pool does not guarantee any specific outcome, rate of return, or profitability, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

By participating, you acknowledge and agree that:

You are solely responsible for evaluating the risks associated with staking, including the potential loss of staked assets or reduced network rewards.

The protocol and associated staking infrastructure may be subject to bugs, attacks, downtime, or changes beyond the control of the stake pool operator.

The legal and regulatory treatment of staking, including the operation of and participation in stake pools, remains uncertain in many jurisdictions and may evolve, potentially impacting your participation. You are solely responsible for complying with all applicable laws and your tax obligations.

The stake pool does not offer investment advice or act as a fiduciary or custodian of your assets.

All information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, or tax advice.

You should consult your advisors and conduct your due diligence before participating in any staking activity.