> LEARN_CROSSLINK
What is Crosslink?
Crosslink is an upgrade to Zcash that adds a Proof-of-Stake finality gadget on top of Proof-of-Work. It strengthens the network by making confirmed blocks irreversible, while keeping PoW as the foundation of consensus.
This is the Season 1 Feature Net — an incentivized testnet where participants earn cTAZ that converts to real ZEC rewards.
> ROLES
Miner
Produce new blocks using Proof-of-Work. Every block earns 5 cTAZ for the miner. The desktop app CPU-mines by default.
Finalizer
Run a validator node that votes to finalize blocks. Top 100 finalizers by stake are active. Your node must stay online.
View Active RosterStaker (Protocol Guardian)
Lock cTAZ in a delegation bond to a finalizer. Your stake earns a share of the 5 cTAZ block reward distributed to stakers. Staking uses shielded funds for privacy.
> STAKING_DAY
Staking actions are only allowed during recurring windows called “Staking Days” — designed to protect user privacy by grouping actions into defined time periods.
How It Works
Why Staking Days?
Privacy protection: Grouping staking actions into windows makes it harder to link actions to specific users based on timing.
Security: Structured periods make the system easier to monitor and defend against manipulation.
Withdrawal safety: Coins in a bond cannot be spent until you unstake on one Staking Day and withdraw on the next — preventing flash-stake attacks.
> SEASON_1_REWARDS
Season 1 is allocated 25 real ZEC, distributed pro rata based on cTAZ earned through mining and staking.
per block to miner
per block to stakers (weighted)
per block to Dev Fund
Only cTAZ earned from block rewards is eligible for ZEC payouts. cTAZ received from faucets, transfers, or other participants does not count. Rewards are based on what you earn by participating, not what you hold.
> GLOSSARY
Key terms you'll see on the Crosslink explorer.
The latest block mined by Proof-of-Work miners — the chain tip before finality confirmation.
A block that has been confirmed by 2/3+ of finalizer voting power. It can never be reversed or reorganized.
The number of blocks between the PoW tip and the last finalized block. A small gap means fast finalization.
A validator node that votes on blocks to confirm them as final. Runs alongside the Zebra node software.
A consensus protocol where finalizers vote on blocks and reach agreement even if some nodes are offline or acting maliciously. Requires 2/3+ of voting power to finalize.
cTAZ locked in a staking contract, delegated to a specific finalizer. Earns rewards proportional to total stake.
A recurring 70-block window (every 150 blocks) during which staking actions are allowed.
Crosslink TAZ — the native currency of the Crosslink feature net. Earned through mining and staking, converts to ZEC rewards.
Moving an existing delegation bond to a different finalizer. Unlike other staking actions, this can be done at any time.
A finalizer's influence when voting on blocks, proportional to the total cTAZ staked to it.
> GET_STARTED
Join the Crosslink feature net and start earning cTAZ.