Delegator Guide

Delegators participate in the Inference.net network by staking $INT-DEV tokens to operator pools. This helps secure the network while earning a share of epoch rewards without running hardware.

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How Delegation Works

When you delegate tokens to an operator pool:

1. Your tokens help increase the operator’s priority for receiving inference jobs
2. You earn a proportional share of the pool’s token rewards
3. You earn a proportional share of the pool’s USDC revenue (if operator enables revenue sharing)
4. The operator takes commission fees from both rewards and USDC before distribution
5. Your tokens remain yours - operators cannot access delegated tokens

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Getting Started

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Prerequisites

• A Solana wallet with:
  • Some SOL for transaction fees
  • $INT-DEV tokens from the airdrop or test faucet
• Basic understanding of staking and delegation

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Step 1: Connect Your Wallet

1. Visit stake.devnet.inference.net
2. Click Connect Wallet in the top right
3. Select your wallet provider and approve the connection

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Step 2: Browse Operator Pools

Navigate to the Operators page to view all available pools. Key metrics to consider:

Pool Performance:

• Rank: Position by total stake (higher rank = more jobs)
• Total Stake: Combined operator and delegator tokens
• Operator Stake: Operator’s self-stake percentage

Economic Terms:

• Reward Commission Rate: Percentage of token rewards kept by operator
• USDC Commission Rate: Percentage of USDC revenue kept by operator
• Delegation Allowed: Whether the pool accepts external stake
• Auto Stake Fees: If commission is automatically compounded

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Step 3: Evaluate Operators

Consider these factors when choosing an operator:

1. Stake Ratio: Operators must maintain their minimum stake amount
2. Commission Rates: Lower rates mean higher delegator rewards (check both token and USDC rates)
3. Track Record: View historical performance in the operator details
4. Hardware: GPUs with higher VRAM typically process more jobs
5. Communication: Active operators often have websites or community presence

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Staking Process

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Delegating Tokens

1. Click on your chosen operator pool
2. Click the Stake button
3. Enter the amount of $INT-DEV to delegate
4. Review the transaction details:
   • Amount to stake
   • Current pool commission
   • Estimated share of pool
5. Click Confirm Stake
6. Approve the transaction in your wallet

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Monitoring Your Stake

View your delegations in two places:

My Operators Tab:

• Shows all pools where you have active stake
• Displays your stake amount and current value
• Shows pending unstaking amounts
• Displays accrued USDC earnings

Individual Pool Pages:

• Your specific stake in that pool
• Accumulated token rewards
• Accumulated USDC earnings
• Share percentage of the pool

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Managing Delegations

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Adding More Stake

You can increase your delegation at any time:

1. Navigate to the operator pool
2. Click Stake
3. Add the additional amount
4. Confirm the transaction

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Unstaking Process

Unstaking requires a cooldown period:

1. Click Unstake on the operator’s page
2. Enter the amount to unstake (partial or full)
3. Confirm the transaction
4. Wait for the cooldown period to complete
5. Click Withdraw to claim your tokens

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Claiming Rewards

Token rewards are distributed automatically during the unstaking process. When you unstake and withdraw:

• Your original stake is returned
• Accumulated token rewards are included
• No separate claim transaction is needed

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Withdrawing USDC Earnings

USDC earnings can be withdrawn at any time without affecting your stake:

1. Navigate to the operator pool on the staking dashboard
2. Click Withdraw USDC
3. Confirm the transaction to receive your USDC earnings

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Choosing Operators Wisely

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Green Flags

• ✅ Consistent uptime and performance
• ✅ Reasonable commission rates (10-30%)
• ✅ Strong operator stake ratio (well above 10%)
• ✅ Active community engagement
• ✅ Professional setup with multiple GPUs

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Red Flags

• ❌ Operator stake near minimum (exactly at minimum threshold)
• ❌ Very high commission rates (>50% for tokens or USDC)
• ❌ Pool marked as “Halted”
• ❌ No website or contact information
• ❌ Frequent configuration changes

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Risk Considerations

While delegation is generally safe, consider:

1. Opportunity Cost: Tokens are locked during staking and cooldown
2. Variable Returns: Rewards depend on operator performance
3. Commission Changes: Operators can adjust rates (effective next epoch)
4. Pool Closure: Operators may close pools, stopping rewards and USDC earnings
5. USDC Revenue Variability: USDC earnings depend on inference job volume

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Maximizing Returns

Strategies for Delegators:

1. Diversify: Spread stake across multiple high-performing operators
2. Monitor Performance: Regularly check operator metrics and adjust
3. Consider Pool Size: Smaller pools may offer growth potential
4. Watch Commissions: Compare both token and USDC commission rates
5. Stay Informed: Follow operator updates and network announcements
6. Withdraw USDC Regularly: Claim your USDC earnings periodically

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I earn USDC as a delegator?
A: When operators process inference jobs, they earn USDC. If they’ve enabled USDC revenue sharing (by setting a commission rate less than 100%), you’ll earn a proportional share based on your stake in the pool.

Q: When can I withdraw my USDC earnings?
A: You can withdraw accrued USDC at any time without affecting your stake or unstaking your tokens.

Q: Do all operators share USDC revenue?
A: No. Operators can choose their USDC commission rate. A 100% rate means no sharing, while lower rates mean more USDC for delegators.

Q: How are USDC earnings calculated?
A: Your share of USDC equals: (Your stake / Total pool stake) × USDC revenue × (1 - USDC commission rate)

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