GTC Staking FAQ
What is GTC staking?
GTC staking is a mechanism that allows you to lock GTC tokens as a signal of trust in your own identity (self-staking) or in another person’s identity (community staking). Staked tokens contribute to your Unique Humanity Score and help build a network of verified, trusted humans.
How does GTC staking work?
You connect your wallet to the Passport App, navigate to the Staking section, and choose to either self-stake or community-stake. Self-staking involves locking GTC on your own identity at one of three tiers (Bronze, Silver, or Gold). Community staking involves locking GTC on another person’s wallet address to vouch for their humanity.
Why are my staked tokens locked during Grants Rounds?
During active Gitcoin Grants Rounds, staked tokens are locked to prevent manipulation of the trust signals that inform quadratic funding allocations. If stakers could freely unstake during a round, it would undermine the integrity of the sybil resistance mechanisms that protect grant distributions.
What triggers slashing of staked GTC?
Slashing is triggered when a staked identity is found to be in violation of network integrity rules. This includes operating multiple identities (sybil behavior), using fraudulent credentials, or engaging in coordinated schemes to artificially inflate scores.
What is the Onchain Trust Graph?
The Onchain Trust Graph is the network of trust relationships created when people stake GTC on each other’s identities. Each stake represents a trust link between two addresses, and the overall graph provides a powerful signal for identifying clusters of real, trusted humans versus potential sybil networks.
How long is the appeal window after slashing?
You have 90 days from the date of slashing to submit an appeal. Appeals submitted after the 90-day window will not be considered. It is important to act promptly if you believe your tokens were slashed in error.
How do I get GTC for staking?
GTC is available on decentralized exchanges like Uniswap and SushiSwap, centralized exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken, and through wallet swap features in MetaMask and Trust Wallet. See the How to Get GTC guide for detailed instructions.
What is the minimum amount of GTC needed to stake?
The minimum self-stake is 5 GTC (Bronze tier). For community staking, the minimum amount may vary. Higher self-staking tiers require 20 GTC (Silver) and 125 GTC (Gold).
Can I increase my score without staking GTC?
Yes. GTC staking is one of many ways to increase your Unique Humanity Score. You can also verify Stamps through the Passport App, which includes blockchain activity verification, social platform connections, government ID verification, and biometric checks. Many of these alternatives are cost-free.
How does the appeals process work?
If your GTC has been slashed, you can submit an appeal through the Passport support channels within the 90-day appeal window. Your appeal should include evidence that your identity is legitimate and that the slashing was made in error. The Passport team will review your case and respond with a decision. If the appeal is successful, your slashed tokens will be restored.
Can I unstake my GTC at any time?
You can unstake your GTC when there is no active Grants Round locking the tokens. Unstaking is done through the staking contract on Etherscan. See the Unstaking Guide for step-by-step instructions.
What happens if someone I staked on gets slashed?
If you community-staked GTC on someone whose identity is later found to be in violation, the GTC you staked on them is also subject to slashing. This shared-risk model incentivizes you to only vouch for people you personally know and trust.
Does staking cost anything beyond the GTC itself?
Yes, you will need to pay gas fees for the staking transaction on whichever network you use. Using Layer 2 networks like Optimism or Arbitrum significantly reduces these gas costs compared to Ethereum mainnet.
Is there a maximum amount I can stake?
For self-staking, the Gold tier (125 GTC) is the highest tier. For community staking, there is flexibility in the amount you can stake on another person’s identity. Check the Passport App for current limits and tier details.
How does staking compare to other Stamps?
Staking is unique because it creates trust relationships between real people, forming the Onchain Trust Graph. Other Stamps verify individual credentials (social accounts, government IDs, onchain activity), while staking leverages social trust. Both types of verification contribute to your Unique Humanity Score and complement each other.