The network elects validators to the consensus group. As blockchain epochs complete, existing group members are unelected, and new members elected. Consensus group rewards can be accessed immediately unlike the staked amount which remains locked while running a validator node.

The staked amount (10,000 HNT) of a validator remains locked until unstaked, however, validator rewards are sent to an owner’s wallet at the end of each epoch (approximately every 30 blocks).

The stake is a non-reversible transaction recorded on the blockchain and not held by either Helium, Inc. or the Decentralized Wireless Alliance.

10K HNT and DIY

This option assumes you have the full stake amount and technical skills to set up and maintain a validator node ideally using a virtual server provider (such as AWS or Digital Ocean). For technical requirements and instructions go here.

Under 10K HNT or Outsource

This option assumes you do not have the full stake amount or prefer not to handle the technical tasks required to run and maintain a validator node.

Independent staking providers are available in the validator section of the Staking Rewards profile.

While there’s no exact formula for calculating how much HNT you’ll earn over a given period, there are some higher-level concepts, design elements, and rules to keep in mind that will help better explain what you might earn and why. This section covers these, as well as some mining and token reward basics.

The Helium blockchain rewards Hotspots for providing wireless coverage and verifying the Helium Network. Hotspots are rewarded in Helium Token, $HNT.

Every epoch, the current consensus group mines approximately 30 blocks on the blockchain. In each block, Hotspots perform various types of work and are awarded according to the following distribution:

Reward Type	Description
PoC Challenger	Rewarded to any Hotspot that creates a valid PoC challenge and submits the corresponding receipt to the blockchain.
PoC Challengees	Awarded to any Hotspot that transmits a POC packet after being targeted by the challenger.
Witnesses	Distributed to all Hotspots that witness a beacon packet as part of a PoC Challenge.
Consensus Group	Divided equally among the Validators that are part of the outgoing Consensus Group, responsible for mining blocks.
Security	Awarded to Helium, Inc and other Network investors who hold Security Tokens.
Network Data Transfer	Distributed each epoch to Hotspots that route LongFi sensor data for sensors on the Network during that epoch.

There is a time lock-up risk and slashing risks involved with running a validator and staking HNT.

Please do proper research before staking HNT or running your validator.

To run a validator requires a stake (deposit) of 10,000 HNT and running validator node software in a suitable environment.

In return for staking, users contribute to network scalability and earn HNT rewards.

Over the past 24 hours, Helium (HNT) has seen a trading volume of across all available exchanges.

The price of Helium (HNT) is currently , which represents a - decrease over the past 24 hours.