Zer0 Nodes

Zer0 nodes are the backbone of our DePIN layer — purpose-built, tokenized compute units that power privacy-preserving workloads like zk-agent offloads, oracle queries, and enterprise data processing. They're designed for constant cashflow (yields from fees), deep token lockup (staking incentives), and liquidity via pre-market sales (NFT licenses post-TGE).


🖥️ Node Basics

What They Are

Zer0 nodes are virtual or physical servers in our data centers, staked with $ZER0 to activate. Each node handles zk-secure tasks without exposing data:

  • MPC for AI — Multi-party computation for private AI inference

  • Shielded Bridges — Cross-chain transactions with zk-proofs

  • Oracle Queries — Privacy-preserving data feeds

  • Enterprise Data Processing — Compliant compute for institutional clients

Activation Requirements

Requirement
Details

Minimum Stake

5,000 $ZER0 (adjustable via DAO)

License Type

Node License NFT (minted upon staking)

Vesting Period

6–12 months (tiered options)

Early Unstake Penalty

5–10% burn


🔷 Node Types

Virtual Mixnodes

Browser-run nodes with low barrier to entry:

Feature
Details

Base APY

15%

Hardware

Runs in zer0 browser

Minimum Stake

5,000 $ZER0

Best For

Individual users, passive income

Benefits:

  • ✅ No additional hardware required

  • ✅ Easy setup through browser interface

  • ✅ Automatic workload distribution

  • ✅ Earn while you browse

Physical Nodes

Data center hardware for higher yields:

Feature
Details

Base APY

18–22%

Hardware

Dedicated servers in zer0 data centers

Minimum Stake

10,000 $ZER0

Best For

Power users, institutional stakers

Benefits:

  • ✅ Higher yields from premium workloads

  • ✅ Fractional ownership via staking pools

  • ✅ Priority access to enterprise compute jobs

  • ✅ Guild DAO participation eligibility


💰 Cashflow Generation

Nodes earn from multiple revenue streams, creating constant cashflow for operators:

Revenue Sources

Source
Rate
Description

Compute Fees

$0.01–$0.05/query

zk-oracle queries, AI inference

Platform Revenue Share

20% of $150M Y1 rev

Direct share of protocol fees

Ad/Oracle Subsidies

10% of 10x CPM ads

Treasury allocation to active nodes

Guild Boosts

+5–10% extra

DAO pools reward high-uptime nodes

Payout Structure

  • Frequency: Daily payouts in $ZER0 or USDC

  • Auto-Compound: Optional 2–5% weekly yield compounding

  • Fee Split: Nodes receive 40–60% of fees (rest to treasury/burns)

Projected Earnings

Stake Amount
Node Type
Monthly Yield
Annual Yield

5,000 $ZER0

Virtual

$125–$250

$1,500–$3,000

10,000 $ZER0

Physical

$500–$2,000

$6,000–$24,000

50,000 $ZER0

Physical + Guild

$3,000–$8,000

$36,000–$96,000

Earnings scale with network usage and workload demand


🔄 Flywheel Integration

The flywheel starts with the browser but nodes close the loop, turning passive users into infrastructure owners — generating cashflow while locking $ZER0 for scarcity.

The Node Flywheel Loop

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Browse → Earn → Stake (Entry)

  • Private tabs earn 0.13 $ZER0/min from ads

  • Users can enable 70% auto-stake option

  • Accumulated tokens unlock node activation

2. Nodes Run Workloads (Value Creation)

  • Staked nodes process ecosystem demands

  • 1M+ browsers generate constant zk-compute needs

  • Reliability attracts premium enterprise workloads

3. Fees → Yields → Reinvestment (Cashflow)

  • Nodes take 40–60% of fees (rest to treasury/burns)

  • Holders receive constant payouts ($500–$2k/month per 10k $ZER0 stake at scale)

  • Auto-reinvest option enables compounding

4. Buybacks/Burns → Scarcity → Demand (Loop Closure)

  • Treasury uses 20% of fees for $ZER0 buybacks

  • 10–15% burned per workload processed

  • 80% supply locked in stakes drives price appreciation

5. Exit/Expansion

  • Unstake after vest period: 2% burn + 1% to growth fund

  • Growth fund finances new data centers

  • Expanded capacity attracts enterprise clients ($100k+ subscriptions)

Flywheel Projections

At 5M Users:

Metric
Value

Total Value Locked

$1.2B

Average APY

18%

Annual Cashflow to Holders

$300M (post-burns)

Supply Locked

80%


🎫 Pre-Market Sales (NFT Licenses)

Node License NFTs

Post-TGE, node operators receive transferable NFT licenses representing their stake position:

  • Format: "Zer0 Node License #1234"

  • Minted: Upon successful stake activation

  • Transferable: Yes, on secondary markets (e.g., Magic Eden)

  • Cliff Period: 3 months before transfer enabled

Pre-Sale Structure

Tier
Price
Tokens Included
Yield Boost Y1

Seed

$25,000

Vested $ZER0 + NFT

+20%

Growth

$50,000

Vested $ZER0 + NFT

+20%

Whale

$100,000

Vested $ZER0 + NFT

+20%

Pre-sale benefits:

  • 5% of licenses available in seed round

  • "Early access passes" with vested $ZER0 + NFT

  • 20% yield boost during Year 1

  • Priority access to physical node allocation

Secondary Market Dynamics

  • Liquidity without dumping: NFTs transferable, but buyers must stake minimum $ZER0

  • Value appreciation: $50k license → $200k+ post-mainnet (projected)

  • Supply lock: Pre-sales lock 10–20% of supply early


🔒 Token Lockup & Float Reduction

Tiered Vesting Incentives

Lock Period
Base APY
Bonus
Guild Priority

6 months

15%

Standard

12 months

18–22%

+5% bonus

Priority

Early Unstake Penalties

Unlock Time
Penalty

Before 50% vested

10% burn

Before 75% vested

7% burn

Before 100% vested

5% burn

Guild DAOs

Pool stakes with other users for shared nodes and enhanced benefits:

  • Extra Fees: +40% additional from pooled node revenue

  • Lock Bonus: Guilds lock 20–30% more $ZER0 collectively

  • Voting Power: Combined governance weight for protocol decisions

Beyond Cashflow

Nodes unlock exclusive utilities that keep users engaged:

  • Priority Agent Compute — First access to new AI agents

  • zk-Beta Features — Early access to protocol upgrades

  • Enterprise APIs — Access to institutional-grade endpoints

  • Governance Multipliers — Enhanced DAO voting power

Supply Projections

Year
Supply Locked
TVL
Price Multiple

Year 1

60%

$400M

2x baseline

Year 2

80%

$1.2B

3–5x per milestone

Year 3

85%

$2B+

5–10x potential


🚀 Getting Started with Nodes

Quick Start: Virtual Mixnode

  1. Accumulate $ZER0 — Browse to earn or purchase tokens

  2. Stake 5,000 $ZER0 — Go to Menu → Nodes → Stake

  3. Select Lock Period — Choose 6 or 12 months

  4. Receive NFT License — Minted upon activation

  5. Start Earning — Daily payouts begin immediately

Quick Start: Physical Node

  1. Stake 10,000+ $ZER0 — Higher stake for physical allocation

  2. Apply for Physical Node — Menu → Nodes → Physical Application

  3. Complete KYC — Required for enterprise-tier nodes

  4. Receive Allocation — Priority based on stake size and lock period

  5. Enhanced Yields — 18–22% APY + guild eligibility


❓ FAQ

chevron-rightWhat's the difference between Virtual and Physical nodes?hashtag

Virtual nodes run in your zer0 browser with lower stakes (5k $ZER0) and 15% APY. Physical nodes are dedicated hardware in zer0 data centers with higher stakes (10k+ $ZER0) and 18-22% APY, plus access to premium enterprise workloads.

chevron-rightCan I sell my Node License NFT?hashtag

Yes, after the 3-month cliff period. NFTs are transferable on secondary markets like Magic Eden. Buyers inherit your yield position but must maintain minimum stake requirements.

chevron-rightWhat happens if I unstake early?hashtag

Early unstaking incurs a 5-10% burn penalty depending on how much of your vest period has completed. Additionally, 1% goes to the growth fund for network expansion.

chevron-rightHow do Guild DAOs work?hashtag

Guilds pool stakes from multiple users to operate shared nodes. Members receive 40% extra fees, enhanced voting power, and priority access to new features. Join an existing guild or create your own with 10+ members.

chevron-rightWhat workloads do nodes process?hashtag

Nodes handle zk-compute tasks including: AI agent offloads, oracle queries, cross-chain bridge verification, enterprise data processing, and privacy-preserving analytics. All processing uses MPC to ensure data never leaves the secure enclave.


📚 Learn More


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