Since June 2024, participants in the Session Token Testnet Incentive Program have been running and staking to nodes, providing important feedback and stress-testing ahead of the launch of the new Session Network. Now that the program has reached maturity, the amount of tokens allocated to testnet rewards, and the conditions that apply to these rewards, can be announced.

How many Session Tokens are allocated to testnet rewards?

The Session Technology Foundation (STF) is pleased to announce that it intends to allocate 1m Session Tokens towards the rewards for the Testnet Incentive Program.

Following community feedback, up to 500k SESH will also be allocated to a new retroactive rewards program.

The SESH Champion Bonus

Up to 500K SESH will recognize two important community segments:

Exceptional Testnet Contributors - up to 100K SESH

Participants who demonstrated extraordinary commitment through consistent bug reporting, providing support to other community members, and helping improve the Session ecosystem. These additional tokens will be distributed 1 month post-TGE, following a nomination process by the Session Token community and Session contributors.

Long-term Ecosystem Supporters - up to 400K SESH

Testnet participants who demonstrate continued engagement with the Session Network after TGE may be eligible to receive additional SESH rewards. These additional tokens will be distributed 6 months post-TGE. These rewards are exclusive to pre-TGE testnet participants, non-testnet participants and testnet users after TGE will not be eligible.

A separate blog post about this rewards program with further details will be shared shortly.

Will these tokens be subject to lockup conditions?

Session Tokens rewarded to testnet participants will be subject to a short lockup of 90 days from the time of TGE. This lockup is enforced via a vesting smart contract into which the reward amount is placed. During this 90-day lockup, you can interact with this vesting contract via the Staking Portal and use these Session Tokens to stake to or run Session Nodes. Rewards earned while staking can be immediately unlocked, they are not subject to the same vesting period as the original reward amount.

After 90 days, the reward you received will become fully claimable. At this point, you are free to continue staking or claim your Session tokens and use them as you see fit. By ensuring continued staking in the months immediately following TGE, this lockup is designed to support the stability of the Session Network post-launch, and in turn, the stability of the Session messenger.

Where does the allocation come from?

This 1m allocation comes from the Ecosystem and Community Fund, which the STF maintains, and is intended to support the sustainability of the Session Token Ecosystem following TGE.

How many Session Tokens will I receive?

Participants will receive an amount of Session Tokens that corresponds with the staking points they have earned throughout the testnet program, in relation to the staking points earned by others in the testnet program. For example, if you earned 0.5% of the total points on testnet by the time of TGE, you would receive 0.5% of the total 1m allocation, i.e. 5,000 Session Tokens. Testnet rewards correspond with testnet points only. They do not correspond to the amount of test SESH held or staked by participants.

How and when will I receive Session Tokens?

Testnet rewards will be distributed directly to participants’ wallets during the Session Token TGE. They will be distributed to addresses used to run and stake to nodes on testnet. They will not be sent to any separate rewards addresses specified by participants. Participants do not need to do anything to claim their rewards.

Will my testnet rewards automatically be staked on mainnet?

No, Session Tokens awarded to testnet participants will not be automatically staked on the new Session Network. However, participants can stake their Session Tokens while they are vesting, and earn additional (unlocked) Session Tokens as staking rewards in exchange for helping to secure the network.

What’s next?

Your thoughts and feedback are welcome! If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to share in the Session Token Discord.