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General questions
Q: What is Kinetiq?
A: Kinetiq is a protocol built on Hyperliquid that allows users to stake HYPE and receive kHYPE — a liquid staking token that earns rewards from validator performance while remaining usable in DeFi.
Q: What is kHYPE?
A: kHYPE is a liquid staking token for HYPE. It accrues yield passively as validators write data to the Hyperliquid blockchain. It’s usable across DeFi and grows in value over time.
Q: How is this different from staking HYPE directly?
A: Staking through Kinetiq gives you a liquid, reward-accruing token (kHYPE). You don’t need to pick validators or manage delegation. Your kHYPE grows in value and can be traded or used in DeFi.
Q: How does kHYPE accrue rewards?
A: kHYPE increases in value relative to HYPE as rewards accrue. The amount of kHYPE in your wallet remains constant — but its redemption value in HYPE grows.
Q: Why is the exchange rate not 1:1?
A: As time passes, the kHYPE:HYPE exchange rate increases due to validator rewards. For example, 1 kHYPE might be worth 1.05 HYPE after a year.
Q: How does kHYPE compare to rebasing tokens?
A: Unlike rebasing tokens (which increase in quantity), kHYPE is a reward-accrual model where value increases via exchange rate, keeping the token count stable and DeFi-compatible.
Staking & rewards
Q: How long does it take to start earning?
A: Immediately. As soon as you stake HYPE, your kHYPE begins accruing rewards.
Q: Do I need to claim rewards?
A: No. Rewards auto-compound into the kHYPE:HYPE exchange rate. No action needed.
Q: Is there a minimum staking amount?
A: Yes, a minimum of 5 HYPE. This is due to some technical implementations. For amounts <5 units we suggest conducting a swap from HYPE to kHYPE via supported DEXs.
Q: Can I stake more later?
A: Yes! You can stake additional HYPE at any time and receive kHYPE at the current exchange rate.
Q: What’s the current APY?
A: APY varies based on validator performance and amount of stake. Returns are visible via the kHYPE:HYPE exchange rate and the protocol dashboard.
Q: I just want passive yield. What’s the easiest option?
A: Check out the Kinetiq Earn Vault. It automatically deploys your kHYPE into high-yield strategies with no management required.
Q: I prefer to manage my own DeFi strategies. Can I do that?
A: Yes. You can use kHYPE directly in supported DeFi integrations like lending markets, CDP platforms, and yield trading protocols.
Q: Can I switch between Earn Vault and DIY?
A: Absolutely. You can withdraw from the Earn Vault at any time and redeploy your kHYPE manually—or vice versa.
Q: Which option earns more yield?
A: It depends on market conditions and your strategy. The Earn Vault is optimized for convenience and steady returns, while DIY gives you more control to potentially chase higher yields.
Withdrawals & timing
Q: How do I unstake my kHYPE?
A: You can:
- Unstake: Initiate unstaking, wait approximately 8–9 days, then confirm the withdrawal.
- Swap instantly: Trade kHYPE on a supported DEX for immediate liquidity.
Q: Is there a delay before I can withdraw?
A: Unstaking has an approximately 8–9 day unstaking period.
Q: Can I cancel an unstake?
A: No. Once unstaking has been initiated, it cannot be cancelled by the user.
Q: Does kHYPE earn rewards during the unstaking period?
A: No. kHYPE stops earning rewards once unstaking is initiated.
Safety & security
Q: Is Kinetiq secure?
A: Yes. All contracts are:
- Audited by Spearbit, Zenith, Pashov, and Code4rena.
- Verified on-chain.
- Protected by multi-sig administrative access controls.
- Emergency pause functionality
- Security is of the highest priority. Any future upgrades will be thoroughly reviewed.
- Uses Hypernative for all event monitoring
Q: Can validators be slashed?
A: Currently, Hyperliquid has no slashing — however it is entirely possible that it is enforced in the future and therefore must be communicated as a future risk in the event that Kinetiq allocates stake to validators that due suffer a slashing event by not abiding by the rules of the network. For more information as to how StakeHub mitigates this risk, visit StakeHub
Q: Is there insurance or coverage?
A: While not explicitly insured, risk mitigation is achieved via audits, diversification, emergency tools, and conservative strategies. While today there are no exogenous protocols that offer insurance coverage on Kinetiq / kHYPE risks, perhaps in the future there may be.
Q: Is kHYPE safe for DeFi use?
A: Yes — it’s a standard ERC-20 token. Use only with trusted DeFi protocols.
Technical details
Q: How is the exchange rate calculated?
A: Validator rewards flow into the protocol and increase the exchange rate between kHYPE and HYPE. This rate updates daily based on actual performance.
Q: What is StakeHub?
A: StakeHub is Kinetiq’s automated validator scoring and delegation engine. It scores validators and rebalances stake continuously.
Q: Can I choose my own validators?
A: No — StakeHub handles validator selection to maximize performance and safety.
Q: What chain is Kinetiq on?
A: Kinetiq is native to Hyperliquid, using its L1 and HyperEVM environments.
Q: How often does StakeHub rebalance?
A: Continuously — triggered by validator performance shifts, slashing risk, or new high-performing entrants.
Troubleshooting
Q: I don’t see my kHYPE in my wallet.
A: Add it manually using this address: 0xfD739d4e423301CE9385c1fb8850539D657C296D
Q: My transaction failed.
A: Check:
- Gas fees
- Network congestion
- Wallet connection
- Slippage settings
- Hard refresh your browser
Q: I can’t confirm my withdrawal.
A: Make sure:
- The full withdrawal delay has passed
- You’re using the correct withdrawal ID
- You’re on the correct network
- Hard refresh your browser
Q: Where can I get help?
A: Try these:
Integration & developer questions
Q: Can I build on Kinetiq?
A: Yes — all contracts are verified and available for integration.
Q: Are APIs available?
A: Standard blockchain RPCs apply. Dedicated APIs are in development.
Q: Can institutions use Kinetiq?
A: Yes. Contact the team for institutional onboarding.
Q: Are there rate limits?
A: None at the protocol level. Standard blockchain limits may apply.
kPoints questions
Q: When are kPoints distributed?
A: Snapshots are taken every Tuesday. Distributions occur every Thursday.
Q: How many kPoints are distributed?
A: 800,000 kPoints are distributed weekly.
Q: Can you tell me the exact formula?
A: No. The kPoints formula is private and will not be disclosed under any circumstances. Continued questioning about the formula in Discord may result in muting, timeouts, or bans.
Q: Where can I learn more?
A: Visit the official kPoints documentation.
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