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# Elrond Staking Phase 2, Mainnet Upgrade is coming
- URL: https://dexplain.com/elrond-staking-phase-2-mainnet-upgrade-is-coming/
- Published: 2020-11-26T20:43:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-17T16:37:51.000Z
- Description: Elrond Staking Phase 2 mainnet upgrade is coming December 1st, weekly eGLD rewards for Validator queue will increase, and its time to build.
- Author: wizardfromspace
- Tags: Elrond, Blockchain, Smart Contracts, defi

> **Editor's note (2026 update):** Elrond rebranded to [MultiversX](https://dexplain.com/what-is-multiversx-egld-formerly-elrond-review-2026-draft/) in late 2022\. For the current project, how the network works today, and where the EGLD token stands, see our updated review: [What is MultiversX (formerly Elrond)?](https://dexplain.com/what-is-multiversx-egld-formerly-elrond-review-2026-draft/)

[Elrond](https://dexplain.com/tag/elrond) is preparing for its first mainnet upgrade [since staking went live](https://dexplain.com/elrond-launches-mainnet-with-new-app-maiar-and-enhanced-token-model/), scheduled to happen December 1st. The upgrade will increase the amount of validators in the network, along with enabling additional functionality.

## Elrond Staking Phase 2: Validators Queue

Elrond is rolling out staking in four phases, where the first phase is a closed off system. Meaning not everyone could become a validator. It’s a bootstrapping process which ensures the network has sufficient [eGLD](https://dexplain.com/elronds-mainnet-token-swap-is-ready-erd-is-moving-to-egld/) locked into staking. The idea is it will keep the network secure and deter malicious actors. However, phase 2 enables anyone to launch a validator by staking their eGLD and joining a queue.

The queue is a list of new nodes that want to join the ecosystem. Essentially, if any validator chooses to un-stake they will immediately be replaced. It’s another security measure to ensure Elrond’s node count cannot fall below a critical level. To summarize quickly, you can enter the validator queue by staking 2500 eGLD.

## Why enter the Validator queue?

Once the upgrade is complete and the validator queue launches, a weekly reward pool of **5000 eGLD** will go live. Everyone staking eGLD in the [validators or delegation](https://dexplain.com/what-is-elrond-erd-blockchain/) queue will be eligible to receive a proportional amount (to their stake) of these rewards. Meaning that even if your validator never moves from the queue into the protocol, you can still earn eGLD.

[Elrond](https://dexplain.com/tag/elrond) is preparing for its first mainnet upgrade [since staking went live](https://dexplain.com/elrond-launches-mainnet-with-new-app-maiar-and-enhanced-token-model/), scheduled to happen December 1st. The upgrade will increase the amount of validators in the network, along with enabling additional functionality.

![](https://dexplain.com/content/images/2021/12/estimation.webp)

The APR will be capped at 20%, above is a little breakdown that estimates returns depending on how much eGLD is staking in the queues.

## What’s next for Elrond?

Staking Phase 3 and 4, which should happen early 2021, include features such as: increasing the total number of nodes, staking more than 2500 eGLD per validator, and open delegation going live. There is also talk of the **first on-chain community voting** happening to finalize the upgrades.

**Developers…** [CEO Beniamin Mincu highlights](https://elrond.com/blog/its-time-to-build/?ref=dexplain.com) in a recent blog article that **it’s time to start building on Elrond**. Smart contracts with 30% gas royalties that are fast and upgradable on a chain with 16,000 TPS, can’t be found anywhere else!

![](https://dexplain.com/content/images/2021/12/elrond-dev-kit.webp)

- Elrond’s dev kit is ready to deploy [DeFi and decentralized products](https://dexplain.com/tag/defi) quickly to help teams keep development time and costs low.

**Smart Accounts…** Elrond accounts have key-value storage, meaning they can store more information than just an address and balance. Think email, [BTC address](https://dexplain.com/tag/bitcoin), social networks, KYC status, citizenship – all stored safely in an encrypted form. Developers can leverage these features to unlock a whole new wealth of use cases for [blockchain](https://dexplain.com/tag/blockchain).