Staking · Review
ActiveStarGate Review 2026: VeChain's NFT Staking Platform
StarGate is VeChain's NFT-based staking platform, where users lock VET to mint a node NFT, delegate to a validator and earn VTHO. It suits VeChain holders who want to stake in a self-custodial way, but the system is new and tier rules matter.
By the DappsAtlas editorial team · Updated
DappsAtlas score
7.3/10
Good
Our verdict on StarGate
7.3/10StarGate is a sensible choice for VeChain holders who want to stake VET, earn VTHO and hold the position as a transferable NFT. Its main strength is that it is VeChain's official staking system, with a migration path for old nodes and a choice of validators. The main caveat is complexity and newness: node tiers, maturity and delegation periods need careful reading, rewards come in VTHO, and the project does not detail the audits or fees.
Score breakdown
How StarGate scores
- Security
- 7.0/10
- Ease of use
- 7.5/10
- Fees
- n/a
- Features
- 7.5/10
Scores run from 0 to 10 and are based only on facts we could verify. Where information was missing we mark the score n/a rather than guess.
What is StarGate?
StarGate is VeChain's staking platform. Users stake VET, receive a node NFT and earn VTHO rewards by delegating to a validator. The homepage describes it as turning a stake into a tradable on-chain NFT that earns rewards, enables delegation and keeps funds in the user's custody.
It replaces the older VeChain node system. Public reporting notes that legacy nodes are no longer the active system after the StarGate upgrade, and the site includes a flow for migrating them.
DefiLlama lists StarGate in the Farm category on VeChain, with about 4.0 million USD in TVL, no token, two audits listed and a listing date of August 2025. Press coverage cited a 15 million USD staking program launching on 1 July 2025, and a social post mentioned a 10 million USD VTHO bonus pool for early participants.
How StarGate works
A user connects a VeWorld wallet and chooses a node tier. Staking the required VET mints an NFT that represents the position. Each tier has its own rewards, maturity period and delegation power.
The holder then picks a validator among the active and queued ones and delegates the NFT to it. Rewards build up in VTHO and can be claimed at the end of each delegation period.
Because the position is an NFT, it can be moved or traded, and the homepage says the staking logic runs on-chain. Legacy node holders can convert old nodes into this format through a migration flow.
7 features
Key features
01
NFT-based staking positions
Staked VET is represented by an NFT linked to a chosen node tier. The staking logic is on-chain and verifiable.
02
Multiple node tiers
Each tier has its own required stake, rewards, maturity period and delegation power.
03
Validator delegation
Holders pick from active and queued validators and delegate their NFT to earn rewards.
04
Tradable staking NFTs
Staking positions are described as tradable NFTs, so a position can be moved or sold without giving up its rewards or value.
05
Legacy node migration
Legacy VeChain node holders can migrate old nodes into a staking NFT and then delegate.
06
Validator option
Users can also choose to become a validator, in addition to delegating.
07
VTHO rewards
Rewards build up in VTHO and are claimed at the end of each delegation period.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Positions are NFTs, so a stake can be transferred or traded rather than locked to one wallet.
- The homepage says funds stay in the user's custody and staking logic is on-chain.
- Offers several node tiers with different rewards and delegation power.
- Includes a migration path for legacy VeChain node holders.
- Run by VeChain itself, with the official site on a vechain.org domain.
- DefiLlama lists two audits.
Watch out for
- Staking is tied to VeChain and the VeWorld wallet, so it is not useful for anyone outside that ecosystem.
- Rewards are paid in VTHO rather than VET, so returns depend on VTHO's value as well as the staked amount.
- Each node tier has its own maturity period and delegation period, and rewards are claimed only at the end of each delegation period.
- Audit details are not published publicly beyond a count of two audits on DefiLlama, so readers must check the reports themselves.
- TVL was about 4.0 million USD with a 7.8% drop over seven days, which is small and shows some movement out.
- The platform is new, listed on DefiLlama since August 2025, so its track record is short.
StarGate fees
StarGate does not publish a fee schedule. The homepage shows live figures for total staked, TVL and highest APY, and rewards differ by node tier and validator.
Users will still pay normal VeChain network transaction costs, which are paid in VTHO. Exact tier requirements, reward rates and any marketplace charges for trading NFTs should be checked on the StarGate site before staking.
Is StarGate safe?
DefiLlama lists two audits for StarGate, but the project does not name the auditors or give the findings, so readers should locate the reports before committing funds. The homepage states that users keep custody of their funds, though staking still exposes users to smart-contract risk and to the price of VET and VTHO.
The platform is run by VeChain and is part of its network upgrade. No hacks or incidents are mentioned publicly. It is new, so the track record is short. Check the node tier rules, maturity period and lock terms before staking.
6 steps
How to get started with StarGate
- 1
Install or open the VeWorld wallet and fund it with VET.
- 2
Open the StarGate site and connect your wallet.
- 3
Choose a node tier and stake the required VET to mint your NFT.
- 4
Pick a validator from the active and queued list and delegate.
- 5
Wait through the delegation period and claim your VTHO rewards at the end.
- 6
If you hold a legacy node, use the migrate flow instead of staking fresh VET.
Who StarGate is for
StarGate suits existing VET holders and legacy node owners who want to earn VTHO and are comfortable with a VeWorld wallet. It is less relevant for anyone not holding VET or who wants instant liquidity without tier and delegation rules.
StarGate FAQs
What is StarGate on VeChain?
StarGate is VeChain's next-generation staking platform. Users stake VET, receive an NFT tied to a node tier, delegate it to a validator and earn VTHO rewards.
What rewards does StarGate pay?
Rewards are paid in VTHO. They accumulate during a delegation period and can be claimed at the end of each period.
Do I keep custody of my VET when staking?
The homepage says staking keeps funds in the user's custody and that the staking logic lives on-chain. Even so, smart-contract risk and VET price risk still apply.
Can legacy VeChain node holders move to StarGate?
Yes. The site has a migration flow where holders select their old node, stake VET, migrate it into a staking NFT and then delegate to a validator.
Which wallet do I need?
You connect a VeWorld wallet. The homepage links to a download for those who do not have one.
What APY does StarGate offer?
The project does not publish a fixed fee schedule. The homepage shows a Highest APY figure, and a validator page in public reporting showed a validator APY of 4.3%, but returns vary by tier and validator.
Compare
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Guides
Guides that mention StarGate
DeFi
What Is Crypto Staking and How Does It Benefit You?Staking lets holders of proof-of-stake coins lock tokens to help secure a network and earn rewards in return. Here is how it works, where the rewards come from, the main ways to stake, and the risks to weigh first.
How we checked
Sources
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