Deep Dive
1. StarGate Dashboard Upgrade (19 January 2026)
Overview: This upgrade refined the official VeChainThor staking dashboard, making it easier for users to track rewards and manage their stakes. It introduced a Delegator NFT system to represent staking positions.
The update lowered the minimum staking requirement to 10,000 VET (approx. $200), broadening participation. The new interface provides live data on total VET staked, VTHO distributed, and validator APYs. Users can now unstake by simply burning their Delegator NFT, simplifying the process.
What this means: This is bullish for $VET because it makes earning rewards more accessible and user-friendly for everyday holders, encouraging more people to stake and secure the network. A better experience can lead to higher long-term participation and network stability.
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2. Hayabusa Mainnet Activation (2 December 2025)
Overview: The Hayabusa upgrade was a monumental shift for VeChainThor, replacing its old Proof-of-Authority system with a public, Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) consensus.
This change allows any VET holder to stake or delegate to validators, democratizing network participation. Crucially, it ended the passive generation of the gas token VTHO; now, only staked VET produces VTHO, and 100% of the base transaction fee is burned. This ties token supply directly to network usage.
What this means: This is bullish for $VET because it creates a more deflationary and sustainable economic model for the network. It incentivizes active staking, which improves security and decentralization, while predictable fees make the blockchain more attractive for enterprise partners.
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Conclusion
VeChain's recent codebase evolution centers on decentralizing governance and incentivizing participation through a revamped, user-friendly staking ecosystem. How will these foundational upgrades influence developer activity and real-world application growth in the coming year?