Monad (MON) Staking

About Monad

Monad is a Layer-1 blockchain that maintains full compatibility with EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) while delivering the performance of high-speed chains. Launched November 24, 2025, the network processes 10,000 transactions per second with sub-second finality, a significant upgrade for applications that have struggled with throughput limitations.

The projects' mission is built on three practical principles:

One: existing EVM-based applications should work unchanged, meaning developers don't rewrite code just to access better performance.

Two: speed shouldn't come through centralization. If the network compromises on decentralization to hit high throughput, it misses the entire point.

Three: the infrastructure should scale to support mainstream adoption globally, not just early adopters in tech communities.

The MON token sale on Coinbase saw $269 million committed by 85,820 participants. They included both retail users and institutional investors who recognized that the team actually solved the engineering problems instead of just talking about doing it.

What makes Monad special?

Full EVM Compatibility: Existing EVM smart contracts run unchanged, and all the standard tools work directly. Monad doesn't require rewriting your application. It's a straightforward upgrade, not a migration to something different.

Monad Consensus: Monad relies on MonadBFT (Proof-of-Stake) consensus protocol that prioritizes efficiency and scalability, using short communication rounds and streamlined validator coordination to rapidly reach agreement on new blocks. In practice, this means once a transaction appears on the network, final settlement is achieved in roughly 800 milliseconds. The protocol also features linear communication complexity, allowing the validator set to grow without a sharp rise in messaging overhead, supporting both security and decentralization as the network scales.

Parallel Execution: Monad processes multiple transactions simultaneously using optimistic execution: it assumes they won't conflict and only re-executes transactions when conflicts occur. This eliminates the bottleneck of processing transactions one after another.

Pipelined Stages: Typical blockchains execute transactions, wait for consensus, then store the result. Each step blocks the next. Monad overlaps them - while one batch executes, consensus votes on the previous batch and storage commits the one before that. This removes the bottlenecks between stages.

Optimized State Layer: MonadDb is the custom database layer powering Monad’s state management, engineered to support parallel transaction execution. The database supports many parallel reads simultaneously, which allows the execution system to fetch multiple storage slots at once. This architecture reduces latency and makes recomputing state roots much faster, delivering the high-throughput performance needed when thousands of transactions execute in parallel.

Monad Staking FAQ

What is the MON token?

MON is the native token of the Monad blockchain. It serves two primary functions: paying transaction fees on the network and securing the blockchain through Proof-of-Stake staking. MON can be delegated to validators to earn rewards while helping secure network. At mainnet launch, the total initial supply was set at 100 billion tokens, with approximately 49,4% immediately unlocked and in circulation.

How to buy MON tokens?

MON is available for purchase on major centralized exchanges including Coinbase, Bybit, and Upbit. Additionally, MON can be acquired through decentralized exchanges within the Monad ecosystem and platforms such as MonadVision or wallets like Metamask.

Where to hold MON tokens?

You can store MON in any EVM wallet that supports the Monad network. MetaMask is a popular choice. Make sure you're using an official wallet or exchange you trust before transferring your tokens.

What is the minimum stake required in MON?

Monad has no minimum delegation amount for individual stakers. You can delegate any amount of MON to a validator and begin earning rewards.

How long does it take to start earning staking rewards?

Your MON stake becomes active and starts earning rewards after the completion of the current epoch. Monad operates on epochs that last approximately 5.5 hours.

How often are staking rewards distributed?

Rewards accumulate throughout the epoch and are distributed pro rata to delegators, minus commission. You can claim accumulated rewards at any time.

Are my MON staking rewards compounded automatically?

No, they are not. For native staking through the protocol, rewards must be manually claimed or compounded.

Can I move my staked MON between validators?

Yes. You can unstake from one validator and redelegate to another. The process follows the standard unbonding timeline. This flexibility lets you switch validators if commission rates change or if you prefer a different operator.

What is the process for unstaking MON?

When you initiate an unstaking request, your tokens enter a withdrawal delay period lasting exactly one epoch, approximately 5.5 hours. This unbonding period is significantly shorter than most Proof-of-Stake networks, which often require 7-28 days.

Can I use my MON tokens while they are staked?

When your MON tokens are natively staked, they are locked and cannot be used for other purposes during that time. However, liquid staking protocols on Monad offer an alternative, providing LSTs that can be used across DeFi applications for lending, trading, or providing liquidity while continuing to earn staking rewards in the background. Note: Liquid staking introduces smart contract risk since you're interacting with third-party protocols rather than directly with the Monad network. Evaluate each protocol's audits and security track record before delegating.