Rooted in open gaming

As we step into 2025, The Root Network and its ecosystem are powering up for a bigger year than ever. With over 60 projects rooted in open gaming and more on the way, The Root Network is steadily evolving, scaling, and pushing the boundaries of interoperability. As the year progresses, the pace of transformation is set to accelerate even further, with a focus on inter-chain connectivity, decentralization, and new initiatives designed to drive community and network growth.

Here’s a look at what’s coming:

Key Initiatives Roadmap

• Rewards Program
  • Dynamic rewards program that incentivizes users and builders across the The Root Network ecosystem, ensuring contributions to the network such as liquidity and transactions are both recognized and rewarded.

• Pass Attribution
  • A novel protocol that creates rewards for the lifetime value of users that partners and brands onboard onto The Root Network, and drive monthly active wallets (MAWs).

• Vortex Payouts On-Chain
  • Transition The Vortex payout distribution to a full automated and decentralized process.

• Substrate Upgrade
  • Upgrade to Substrate framework version Stable2409-1 (or newer). This enhancement will bring improved scalability, security, and performance to the ecosystem.
• Gas Fee Optimization
  • Ongoing enhancements to further optimize EVM transaction costs to bring them closer in line with extrinsic transaction expenses.
• IBC Protocol
  • Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) Protocol to enable cross-chain interoperability. This development will serve as an intermediate step to the future implementation of parachains, enabling seamless interactions between blockchains.
• Decentralized Governance
  • Decentralization takes center stage with the introduction of a decentralized governance model. This framework will empower the community to play a more active role in shaping the future of The Root Network.

TRN Labs Launches

As The Root Network’s builder and developer communities gear up for an exciting 12 months of growth, games, and opportunities, we have another significant update to reveal. Today, we’re thrilled to share the launch of TRN Labs, an independently-organized initiative dedicated to driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and maximizing The Root Network ecosystem’s potential. Led by builders, TRN Labs is aiming to drive builder and community initiatives in collaboration with Futureverse, with the objective of scaling the The Root Network’s ecosystem.

Key Initiatives

TRN Labs aims to identify new projects and provide resources to foster community growth. Whether a project is just starting out or aiming to scale, TRN Labs offers a variety of initiatives including Project Incubation, Technical and Infrastructure Support, Community Engagement, Sustainable Growth Models, and Expanding Network Connectivity.

Follow TRN Labs on X to stay up to date with the latest news and updates.

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In the year ahead, The Root Network will continue leading the development of seamlessly connected games, content, and experiences. Thanks to key infrastructure updates, innovative new features, and fresh opportunities for builders and developers, the future of the network and its ecosystem has never been so bright. We look forward to growing and building together in 2025.

A brand new wallet that combines the ease of social login with robust non-custodial security has just launched on The Root Network. Available for iOS and Android devices, the Girin Wallet is designed to make digital asset management easier across The Root Network and XRPL.

The concept for the wallet was born when the Girin Labs team recognized the need for a simple, secure, and accessible wallet that could onboard $XRP’s 50 million holders and introduce them to the magic of The Root Network – empowering users with easy access to the open metaverse.

Innovative technology and intuitive design collide

Built in collaboration with The Root Network, the Girin Wallet leverages our powerful infrastructure to provide native support for The Root Network and enhance interoperability between the XRPL and our ecosystem. The Root Network’s developer-friendly tools, scalability, and EVM compatibility enabled Girin Labs to efficiently integrate multi-chain functionality and focus on creating a superior user experience.

"The Root Network is a versatile and supportive platform which is providing Girin Labs with the tools and community needed to build scalable, user-focused applications like the Girin Wallet." – Claud, CEO, Girin Labs

Discover a new gateway to web3

Ready to unlock a new tool that lowers the barriers to web3 and enhances interoperability between the XRPL and The Root Network? Simply download the app, connect to FuturePass via the Wallet Connect function, and you’re away. You can find more onboarding guides, feature walkthroughs, and incentives for early adopters on the Girin Labs X account and blog.

Download the Girin Wallet for iOS or Android now:

• App Store
• Google Play

This is more than just a wallet launch – it’s a step towards building a connected and thriving web3 ecosystem for the XRPL and The Root Network. There are plenty of exciting updates planned for the coming months with lending and staking features, expanded multi-chain compatibility, and user experience updates in the works. Girin Labs are also planning incentive programs for wallet users and are constantly looking for innovative ways to introduce new users to The Root Network ecosystem.

Find out more about the Girin Wallet:

• Website: girin.app
• X: @Girin_Labs
• Blog : inblog.ai/girineng
• Docs : girin.readme

Overview

As part of our ongoing mission to decentralize and strengthen The Root Network, Futureverse are introducing an update to the validator commission rates on all their nodes, making now the perfect time to review your nominations and staking strategy.

You can help secure The Root Network by Staking ROOT tokens. Choose to simply stake, or to nominate your stake to one or more Validators. Nominating your stake earns a greater share of block rewards and an increased Bootstrap rewards rate. However, it also exposes you to Slashing risk - a penalty applied if a validator misbehaves. Learn more about our Staking Protocol here.

Why the update?

Starting Dec 15 PT, Futureverse’s operated nodes (21 in total) will adjust their commission rate from the current 1% to 5%. This change is designed to foster a more competitive and rewarding environment for external validators while maintaining the reliability and robustness of the network.

Here’s what this means:

• For Nominators: Rewards may be slightly reduced as a result of the updated commission rate. However, this increase provides external validators with more flexibility to adjust their own rates competitively, and you have the choice and ability to update your selected nominations at any time.
• For the Network: This change creates room for external validators to set competitive rates, increasing their returns and encouraging broader participation in the ecosystem.

We believe this update supports our shared goal of creating a network that is open, decentralized, and sustainable for all participants.

Choosing which Validators to Nominate

This update is an ideal time to take a look at your Nominations. If you choose to Nominate validators to stake with, consider the following factors to maximize your rewards:

• A higher uptime means the validator is more reliable by keeping their node consistently running.
• Commission rates vary which impacts your rewards.
• Ensure the validator is not oversubscribed. Oversubscribed validators may result in reduced or missed rewards for you. Only the top 256 Nominators to a Validator will earn rewards based on the amount of ROOT nominated.

Commission on Staking Rewards

Each validator can set a commission rate, which is a percentage of the staking rewards that they get to keep. The remainder is shared with the nominators based on the amount of ROOT each nominated to this validator.

Updating and Changing your Nominations

Changing your selected nominations is simple:

1. Go to the Staking Dashboard
2. Log in with your FuturePass
3. “Change Nominations,” update your selection, and confirm.

When you update your selected Validators, it takes two Eras (Era = 24hr) to process, meaning that in the third Era after submitting the change, you will see it reflected in your Nominations list.

• Current Era: the task is queued to be broadcast to the Pallet during the rollover to the next Era
• 2nd Era: the task is broadcast to the Pallet to update your selected Validators
• 3rd Era: the task is processed during the rollover to the next Era, and your Nominations will reflect your current selection

Prerequisites

You require a minimum of 25 ROOT tokens in your FuturePass to participate in staking or nominating. Follow the steps in the How to buy ROOT guide to get started.

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To get started, update nominations and more, visit staking.therootnetwork.com and launch the app.

Learn more about Staking on The Root Network, see our FAQ’s, and if you require support, please click the ‘?’ in the bottom right of the screen.