> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.x1.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.x1.xyz/validating/validator-rewards/incentivized-testnet-rewards.md). # Incentivized Testnet Rewards How X1 testnet validators are rewarded: testnet credits convert to XNT, 10% paid at genesis and 90% airdropped a year later, scaled by mainnet performance. {% hint style="info" %} **In short** * **Conversion:** 50,000 testnet credits = 1 XNT. * **10% at genesis:** airdropped on 6 October 2025. * **90% a year later:** airdropped on 6 October 2026 to the same address, scaled by mainnet performance, plus a 6% staked yield. * **Nothing to claim:** both payments are sent automatically. * **Check your reward:** [testnet-rewards.x1.xyz](https://testnet-rewards.x1.xyz/) {% endhint %} The X1 incentivized testnet rewarded validators for running the network before mainnet. Validators earned vote credits on testnet, and those credits set each validator's XNT award at mainnet genesis. Paying most of the award a year later, scaled by how the validator performs on mainnet, gives X1 a decentralized consensus layer from day one and keeps it that way. *** ## Check your reward The [Testnet Rewards page](https://testnet-rewards.x1.xyz/) shows the live figures for every validator: * **Search** any address: a testnet or mainnet vote account, node identity, withdrawer, or genesis payout address. * **Connect a wallet** to check whether it is the address your reward is paid to. The page only reads the address; nothing is signed or sent. * **Payouts** lists every genesis payout address with its maximum, earned amount and staked yield. * **How it's calculated** explains each step of the formula below. *** ## Testnet credits A validator earned one credit for every vote that landed on testnet. Credits reflect uptime, participation and consistency over the testnet period. Credits were read at mainnet genesis and converted at a fixed rate: **50,000 credits = 1 XNT** This is the validator's **award**. It is fixed and does not change. *** ## How the award is paid The award is paid in two parts, both to the **genesis payout address**: the address that received the first 10% in the genesis block. ### 1. The first 10%, at genesis 10% of every award was airdropped in the mainnet genesis block on 6 October 2025, so validators could stake into their own node from the first epoch. This payment is settled and nothing about it changes. ### 2. The remaining 90%, one year later The other 90% is airdropped on 6 October 2026. It is scaled by how the validator has performed on mainnet since genesis, and a staked yield is added on top. ``` earned = maximum × min(1, mainnet credits ÷ 97% of the network average) × (1 − all-time skip rate) to be paid = earned + maximum × 6% ``` * **Maximum:** the account's share of the 90% of its award. When several testnet accounts were paid to the same genesis address, the 90% is split between them by testnet credits. * **Vote credits:** mainnet vote credits compared with 97% of the average of all active, non-delinquent mainnet validators. Reaching that mark earns full credit; credits beyond it add nothing. The mark is relative: the network sets it, not time online. Credits accumulate over time, so a validator that was offline for part of the year falls behind it. A validator that was online all year but earned fewer credits than most validators can also fall below it. * **Blocks:** the result is multiplied by one minus the validator's all-time skip rate. A validator with fewer than 100 leader slots is not penalized. * **Staked yield:** the 90% earns a 6% staked yield over the year from genesis to the payout. It is worked out on the whole maximum and is not reduced by performance. * **Forfeited:** any part of the maximum that is not earned is forfeited. It is not redistributed to other validators and stays with the X1 Foundation. ### Which mainnet validator counts Each testnet vote account is matched to at most one mainnet validator: first by vote account, then node identity, then withdrawer. Keys may have changed between testnet and mainnet. A testnet account with no matching mainnet validator is paid nothing and gets no staked yield. This also applies when another testnet account has already been matched to that validator. *** ## Example A validator earned **1,000,000,000 (1B) credits** on testnet. 1. **Award:** 1B ÷ 50,000 = **20,000 XNT** 2. **At genesis:** 10% = **2,000 XNT**, already paid. 3. **Maximum:** 90% = **18,000 XNT** 4. **Staked yield:** 18,000 × 6% = **1,080 XNT** 5. **Payout scenarios:** * Meets the vote-credit mark with no skipped blocks: 18,000 + 1,080 = **19,080 XNT** * Reaches 75% of the mark with a 2% skip rate: 18,000 × 0.75 × 0.98 = 13,230 earned, + 1,080 = **14,310 XNT** * No mainnet validator: **0 XNT** *** ## Reference table The last column assumes full performance. | Testnet credits | Award | 10% at genesis | 90% maximum | Staked yield (6%) | Paid at full performance | | --------------- | ----------- | -------------- | ----------- | ----------------- | ------------------------ | | 100M | 2,000 XNT | 200 XNT | 1,800 XNT | 108 XNT | 1,908 XNT | | 500M | 10,000 XNT | 1,000 XNT | 9,000 XNT | 540 XNT | 9,540 XNT | | 1B | 20,000 XNT | 2,000 XNT | 18,000 XNT | 1,080 XNT | 19,080 XNT | | 2B | 40,000 XNT | 4,000 XNT | 36,000 XNT | 2,160 XNT | 38,160 XNT | | 5B | 100,000 XNT | 10,000 XNT | 90,000 XNT | 5,400 XNT | 95,400 XNT | Some maxima will not match credits ÷ 50,000 × 90%. Each award is attributed by the withdrawer the account had at genesis, and checked against what the genesis block actually paid. The [Testnet Rewards page](https://testnet-rewards.x1.xyz/) shows how each maximum was worked out. *** ## Why this matters * Rewards follow actual testnet participation. * Validators are rewarded for keeping their node running and performing well through mainnet's first year. * X1 launched with a decentralized consensus layer, and the 90% rewards the validators who keep it that way. *** ## Live figures Until the freeze at 00:00 UTC on 6 October 2026, earned amounts are recalculated from mainnet data every time they are read. The network average and each validator's credits keep moving, so two readings only agree if they were taken at the same time. At the freeze, every validator's performance and the network average are fixed, and the payout uses those figures. From then on the [Testnet Rewards page](https://testnet-rewards.x1.xyz/) shows "Frozen at …".