What is the WAXP Crypto Token?

WAXP is the native utility token of the WAX (Worldwide Asset eXchange) blockchain. Launched in 2017, WAX was specifically designed to make the trading of digital assets—like NFTs and video game items—faster, easier, and carbon-neutral.

• What makes WAX different?

Unlike many other blockchains that can be expensive or slow, WAX focuses on a “consumer-first” experience:

• Zero Gas Fees: For the average user, transactions (like buying or sending an NFT) are free.
• High Speed: Blocks are produced every 0.5 seconds, making trades nearly instantaneous.
• Eco-Friendly: WAX uses a “Delegated Proof of Stake” (DPoS) system that is significantly more energy-efficient than Bitcoin or older versions of Ethereum.
• WAX Cloud Wallet: One of its biggest draws is a wallet that lets you sign up using social media (like Google or Facebook) without having to manage complex private keys.

• How the WAXP Token works

The WAXP token is the “gas” and currency of this ecosystem. It has three primary roles:

• Staking for Resources: To perform actions on the network for free, you “stake” (lock up) WAXP. This gives you a share of the network's processing power (CPU), bandwidth (NET), and storage (RAM).
• Governance: By staking WAXP, you earn the right to vote for “Guilds” (the entities that run the network) and other proposals.
• Rewards: Users who stake their tokens and participate in voting earn more WAXP as a reward.

• Resource Management & EOSIO (CPU/NET/RAM)

The EOSIO system is an open-source blockchain software architecture designed to function like an operating system for decentralized applications (dApps).

Launched in 2018 by the company Block.one, it was built to solve the scalability and high-fee issues found in early blockchains like Ethereum.

Unlike traditional blockchains, EOSIO emulates the performance and resources of a computer. It manages three main resources that developers and users “rent” by staking tokens:

• CPU (Computation): The processing power required to run a smart contract.
• NET (Network Bandwidth): The capacity to transmit data across the network.
• RAM (Memory): Permanent storage used to keep data (like account balances or game states) on the blockchain.

On the WAX blockchain, transactions are “free” (no gas fees), but they require system resources. If your transaction fails with an “Account lacks sufficient resources” error:

• Stake WAX: Stake a small amount of WAXP into CPU or NET. This acts as a deposit that gives you the “power” to execute transactions. You can unstake this later if you no longer need it.

• The Shift to "Antelope"

In 2022, after a dispute between the community and the original developer (Block.one), the community led a “hard fork” to take control of the codebase.

• The Rebrand: The software formerly known as EOSIO was rebranded to Antelope.
• The Ecosystem: Blockchains like EOS, WAX (for NFTs/Gaming), and Telos now run on the Antelope protocol rather than the original EOSIO software.

• Staking WAXP

Staking WAXP is unique because it serves a dual purpose: it provides you with the resources (CPU/NET) needed to use the blockchain for free, and it allows you to earn passive rewards by participating in network governance.

Here is the step-by-step guide to staking for rewards

• The Easy Method: My Cloud Wallet

This is the most user-friendly way for most people.

• Log in: Go to mycloudwallet.com.
• Stake for Resources: On the left dashboard, click “Staking Rewards.”.

• Click the “STAKE WAXP” button. Enter the amount of WAXP you want to stake.
  • Tip: Most users stake the majority of their WAXP to CPU and a small amount to NET (a 10:1 ratio is common).

• Claiming: Once staked, you will see your rewards accumulate. You must manually click “Claim Earnings” to move them into your wallet.

• The “Max Rewards” Method: Voting

Simply staking your tokens isn't enough to get the full reward; you are also expected to vote for Guilds (the entities that run the network).

• Vote for Guilds: In the “Staking Rewards” or “Vote” section of your wallet, select at least 16 Guilds to vote for.
• Vote Weekly: Your “Vote Strength” (and thus your rewards) decays over time. To keep earning the maximum amount, you should refresh your vote once a week.
• Use a Proxy: If you don't want to pick guilds yourself, you can choose a Proxy. This is a trusted user or entity that votes for you. This is a “set it and forget it” way to keep your vote strength at 100%.

• Liquid Staking (WAXFusion)

If you don't want your tokens locked up for the standard 72-hour unstaking period, you can use WAXFusion.

• You swap your WAXP for lsWAXP (Liquid Staked WAXP).
• Your tokens earn rewards automatically, and the value of lsWAXP grows relative to WAXP.
• The benefit is that you can sell or trade lsWAXP on a DEX (like Alcor) instantly without waiting 3 days to unstake.

• Important Details to Remember
  • Unstaking Period: If you stake natively, there is a 72-hour waiting period after you click “Unstake” before your tokens are liquid again.
  • Resource Usage: Staking isn't “spending.” You still own the tokens; they are just “working” to power your account's transactions while they are locked.
  • Auto-Compounding: Most native staking rewards are not automatically restaked. You usually need to claim and then stake the new tokens to compound your earnings.