> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.zer0.build/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.zer0.build/advanced-features/zer0-nodes.md).

# 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

```mermaid
graph TD
    A[Browse → Earn] -->|0.13 $ZER0/min from ads| B[Accumulate $ZER0]
    B -->|Stake 5k+ $ZER0| C[Activate Node]
    C -->|Process zk-workloads| D[Earn Fees]
    D -->|40-60% to node operators| E[Reinvest/Compound]
    E -->|Auto-stake option| B
    C -->|Attract more compute demand| F[Network Growth]
    F -->|Higher CPM bids for reliability| G[Increased Revenue]
    G -->|Treasury buybacks + burns| H[Token Scarcity]
    H -->|Price appreciation| I[More Users Join]
    I --> A
```

### 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

<details>

<summary>What's the difference between Virtual and Physical nodes?</summary>

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.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I sell my Node License NFT?</summary>

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.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What happens if I unstake early?</summary>

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.

</details>

<details>

<summary>How do Guild DAOs work?</summary>

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.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What workloads do nodes process?</summary>

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.

</details>

***

## 📚 Learn More

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Staking Guide</strong></td><td>Detailed staking mechanics and rewards</td><td><a href="/pages/kn9DnwG5SbEQp4Hf7Snh">/pages/kn9DnwG5SbEQp4Hf7Snh</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>The $zer0 Flywheel</strong></td><td>How nodes integrate into the economy</td><td><a href="/pages/hvljpeTiiooAvwVXqlS6">/pages/hvljpeTiiooAvwVXqlS6</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Tokenomics</strong></td><td>Token distribution and economics</td><td><a href="/pages/PkzzAPiFMbq0z973lpve">/pages/PkzzAPiFMbq0z973lpve</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

***

{% hint style="success" %}
**Ready to run a node?** Stake 5,000+ $ZER0 and join the network infrastructure that powers privacy-preserving compute for millions of users. 🚀
{% endhint %}


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