Session Token is an EVM-compatible token which will be used to unlock premium features in the Session messenger (Session Name Service, Session Pro) and as a security and incentivisation layer for Session Nodes.

You can find more detailed information about Session Token here.

Session Token will be deployed with staking and rewards functionality on Arbitrum One, an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution. It will be possible to bridge Session Tokens to and from Ethereum.

The Session Token is launching on Arbitrum One, a leading Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution, for its proven performance, reliability, and security. Creating the cryptographically secure Session Node registration and reward system directly on the Ethereum network would be prohibitively expensive. Arbitrum’s drastically reduced gas fees allow the implementation of the Session Network’s staking logic on an Ethereum-backed blockchain with much lower costs. Supported by a grant from the Arbitrum Foundation, Session should contribute significantly to Arbitrum's success in the future as one of the largest decentralised applications on its network.

Session is an end-to-end encrypted decentralised messaging application. With no phone number required on sign-up, IP masking through onion-routing, and a resilient decentralised server structure, Session offers a unique combination of private, secure, and trustless communication.

For more information about Session, you can head over to the Session Website

The Session Network is a decentralised physical infrastructure network (DePIN) made up of community-operated nodes, called Session Nodes). This DePIN infrastructure enables application functionality and scalability through the routing and storage of data (like messages). Currently, there are approximately 2,000 nodes providing services to Session via the Oxen Network. These nodes will undergo a migration from the Oxen Network to the new Session Network.

Session Token has not yet been generated, and therefore cannot be purchased directly. You can gain access to Session Token prior to the Token Generation Event (TGE) by staking Oxen coins to a registered Oxen Service Node to be automatically swapped for Session Tokens at TGE; or by holding Oxen coins and burning them in exchange for Session Tokens after TGE in the Oxen Coin Claims program.

Session Token will also be used to unlock, access, and interact with premium features offered in the Session ecosystem. These features include registrations using the Session Name Service, activating Session Pro, and may also include more utility such as one-time in-app purchases in the future.

Session Network's functionality and scalability is enabled by a set of incentivised nodes called Session Nodes. Session Nodes are responsible for storing Session messages, routing Session messages, securing and maintaining the network, and maintaining the appchain. Anyone can run a Session Node by staking Session Tokens and contributing resources (data storage, bandwidth, processing capacity) to the network.

A full Session Node requires a stake of 25,000 Session Tokens (SESH) and a server, such as a VPS or dedicated server, that can provide a minimum level of computational resources (bandwidth, storage, and compute) to contribute to the network.

If an individual does not have sufficient Session Tokens as required to stake a full Session Node, other token holders can contribute to create a full stake. In this case, the node operator must provide a minimum stake of 6250 SESH.
Learn more here.

Detailed guides for setting up a new Session Node will be provided in the docs closer to the migration. The steps will be largely similar to setting up an Oxen Service Node, and involves downloading software to your server, configuring your node, preparing your node for registration, staking your Session Tokens and registering your Service Node, as well as checking your registration status on the network and setting up monitoring tools for your Node.

There are two ways to stake Session Token (SESH). You can either stake it to an available node that allows contributions from multiple stakers. These are called multicontributor nodes. To stake to multicontributor nodes, you don't need to run the node yourself or do any technical setup. Simply ensure you have SESH and Ethereum on the Arbitrum Network in your wallet, and connect your wallet to the Staking Portal to browse and stake to available multicontributor nodes. Learn more here.

You can also stake SESH by running your own node and staking to it. You can either contribute the full stake amount of 25,000 SESH for a single contributor node, or a minimum of 6250 SESH for the minimum stake needed to run a multicontributor node. If you operate a multicontributor node, you can set an operator fee that takes a percentage from the node's rewards. Learn more about how to run a Session node here.

The Staking Reward Pool transforms Session Token’s utility into incentives for the validation services provided by Session Node operators and contributors. In return for staking Session Tokens and providing validation resources that enable the function and network security of Session messenger, Session Node operators and contributors receive rewards from the Staking Reward Pool. Tokens in the pool are time-locked in a smart contract and released at a targeted rate of 14% per year.

When Session Tokens are used to activate on-chain features like the Session Name Service and Session Pro, these tokens are burnt as network fees and removed from circulation. This allows new tokens to be minted into the protocol’s Staking Reward Pool. Node rewards scale based on the amount of tokens in the Staking Reward Pool—so that the network’s rewards increase the more Session Tokens are in the pool.

Learn more here.

To avoid unnecessary transaction fees, rewards are remain in the smart contract until they are manually claimed by stakers via the Staking Portal.

Rewards are released once the Session Network validates and authorises the claim and amount.

The same process applies for stakes which are withdrawn due to unlocks or deregistrations.

The Session Name Service will allow Session users to register human-readable names connected to their Session ID on Session. Session users will be able to register these names using Session Tokens.

Registered names will be mapped to a Session Account ID for quick and simple contact discovery in Session.

When Session Tokens are used to activate on-chain features, such as registering a Session Name, the tokens are burned as network fees.

90% of these tokens (minus fees) are then reminted into the Staking Reward Pool, returning to the protocol via rewards for the network’s validators (Session Nodes). 10% is reminted as protocol-owned liquidity, to ensure market liquidity and scalability.

It will not be possible to register new Oxen names after the Session Token TGE.

Existing Oxen names will remain mapped to their assigned Session IDs, and lookup via these Oxen names will function as usual. All existing Oxen names will be migrated to the new Session Name Service before public launch, allowing users to claim their Oxen names in the new Session Name Service.

Session Pro will offer a collection of premium features for power users. Planned features for Session Pro include (but are not limited to) vastly increased file transfer limits, account profiles, and badges.

Session Pro can be activated by using Session Tokens to pay Session Network Fees. It will also be possible to pay these fees with other cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, via third party providers who convert these to Session Tokens and pay Session Network Fees on the user’s behalf. Learn more here.

When Session Tokens are used to activate Session Pro, the tokens are burned as network fees.

90% of these tokens (minus fees) are then re-minted into the Staking Reward Pool, returning to the protocol via rewards for the network’s validators (Session Nodes). 10% is re-minted as protocol-owned liquidity, to ensure market liquidity and scalability.

No, Session messenger is free to use.