# FAQ ## 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: 1. **Unstake:** Initiate unstaking, wait approximately 8–9 days, then confirm the withdrawal. 2. **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](https://x.com/HypernativeLabs) 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](/docs/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: - [Discord](https://discord.kinetiq.xyz/) - [Docs](/docs) ## 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.