# Consensus Model

### Proof-of-Stake Variant

XYO Layer One uses a variant of Proof-of-Stake (PoS) as its consensus mechanism, with an added emphasis on Proof of Participation to fairly reward active contributors. Stake size serves as the foundation of trust in the network: it governs which actors are eligible to produce or validate blocks and how much influence they can exert. Trust in XYO Layer One is currently based on stake size and active participation, not on the historical age of the node or its prior activity. This helps simplify the trust model and avoid legacy advantages or bias toward older nodes.

Unlike traditional PoS systems where Validator Node staking alone often suffices, XYO Layer One *requires Validators to submit on-chain participation transactions* in order to qualify for rewards in the Step Reward Pool. This ensures that only actively engaged nodes are compensated, helping maintain both performance and accountability across the network.

In addition to Validators and Block Producers, System Stakers (users who delegate their stake without running a node) can also earn rewards from the Step Reward Pool at a lower rate. This structure supports a broad range of contributors while preserving strong incentives for Validators and Block Producers, who perform protocol-level duties and assume slashing risk for misconduct or inactivity. Detailed reward models, including the 2-part reward system with the Step Reward Pool alognside Block Rewards, and slashing conditions are described in later sections

### Proof of Participation

In some cases, actors perform essential tasks in the ecosystem that leave no visible trace on the blockchain itself. A common example is block validation—when a block is valid, the validator confirms it, but no additional transaction or record is created to show that work was done. Similarly, a gatekeeper managing the pending transaction pool only becomes visible to the network when they reject an invalid transaction and submit a claim. Most of the time, they quietly accept valid transactions, leaving no on-chain evidence of their role. If rewards are only given for catching errors, critical system participants may become disincentivized over time—despite their ongoing important contributions to network security and integrity.

To ensure these participants are rightfully rewarded for their network participation, and correctly eligible for rewards from the Step Reward Pool, we use a two-pronged approach.

First, each actor has the ability to submit a Participation Transaction in an interval of its choosing. This payload serves two main informational purposes:

1. It confirms an actor was active during a specific range of recent blocks.
2. It can optionally include a list of specific actions the actor performed during that time.

The second part of the approach includes a risk of stake to discourage false claims of participation. Submitting a Participation Transaction puts the stake of that Validator at risk, but simultaneously makes that Validator eligible for the appropriate Step Rewards.


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