> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.safefoundation.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> How SAFE tokens are staked in Safenet, who participates, and how rewards are earned.

<Note>
  Safenet is currently in Beta. Slashing is not active and the Validator set is permissioned. The mechanics described here reflect the live Beta state.
</Note>

Safenet uses staked SAFE tokens to align Validator incentives and determine reward eligibility. Validators commit locked SAFE to participate, and SAFE token holders can delegate to a Validator to earn a share of rewards without running a node themselves.

## Actors and incentives

**Validators** run Safenet nodes and stake SAFE toward their own address. In Safenet Beta, Validators also act as Transaction Checkers: they evaluate each transaction against security rules and attest to the result. They must maintain a minimum self-stake to be eligible for proposed Validator rewards. Rewards are proposed to scale with total stake weight and Validator participation rate. If a Validator's participation falls below a certain threshold in a reward period, neither the Validator nor its Delegators earn rewards for that period.

**Delegators** are any SAFE token holders who stake toward a Validator's address without operating a node. Delegators earn rewards generated by their delegated stake, with a small percentage reserved as commission for the Validator.

In Safenet Beta, neither Validators nor Delegators risk losing staked tokens. There is no slashing mechanism. The primary risk is missed rewards from backing an underperforming Validator.

## Types of stake

**Validator self-stake** is SAFE staked by a Validator toward their own Validator address. A minimum stake is required for the Validator to be eligible for rewards.

**Delegated stake** is SAFE staked by any token holder toward a Validator's address. It contributes to the Validator's total stake weight for reward calculation and earns rewards.

Both stake types use the same Staking contract with the same deposit and withdrawal mechanics.

## Deployed contract

**Key characteristics**

* **Non-upgradeable**: Immutable after deployment
* **No Rewards/Slashing in Beta**: Pure ledger for deposits (rewards handled separately)
* **Timelocked Config**: All configuration changes require waiting periods

The Staking contract is deployed on Ethereum Mainnet at [`0x115E78f160e1E3eF163B05C84562Fa16fA338509`](https://etherscan.io/address/0x115E78f160e1E3eF163B05C84562Fa16fA338509).

The Staking contract source is available on GitHub: [Staking.sol](https://github.com/safe-research/safenet/blob/beta/contracts/src/Staking.sol). It has been independently audited and formally verified by Certora. See [Security](/safenet/resources/security) for the full report.

## In this section

* [How are Validators staked?](/safenet/staking/validator-staking): Validator stake requirements, and how Validators are held accountable.
* [How to delegate stake](/safenet/staking/delegate): choosing a Validator and staking SAFE toward them.
* [Staking rewards](/safenet/staking/rewards): how rewards are calculated and distributed each reward period.
* [Staking lock-up periods](/safenet/staking/lockup): the withdrawal delay and what to expect when unstaking.
* [Is my stake at risk?](/safenet/staking/risk): smart contract risk, audits, and the absence of slashing in Beta.