Block rewards are a fundamental incentive mechanism within the IOG Network, designed to encourage users to contribute their computing power—specifically GPUs and CPUs—to support network growth and performance. These rewards are distributed hourly in $IO, the native cryptocurrency of the ecosystem, based on a transparent and predefined emission schedule. By participating, suppliers not only support decentralized computing infrastructure but also earn passive income.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about block rewards, from eligibility requirements to claiming processes and staking rules—all while optimizing your chances of consistent earnings.
What Are Block Rewards?
Block rewards are incentives paid to device suppliers who make their GPU or CPU resources available on the IOG Network. These payments serve as a crucial driver for expanding the network’s computational capacity, ensuring high availability and reliability across decentralized applications.
Rewards are accrued hourly in $IO, following a fixed emission model. However, it's important to note that earned rewards may be subject to slashing under certain conditions—such as downtime or failure to meet performance benchmarks—before final distribution.
👉 Discover how you can start earning with your hardware today.
The first block reward was issued on June 25, 2024, at 12:00 UTC. The initial seven days of rewards were claimable alongside Season 3 of the Ignition Program, allowing early participants to maximize their returns during the network launch phase.
Block Reward Allocation
The IOG Foundation has established a clear distribution model for each hourly emission of $IO:
- 95% allocated to GPU contributors
- 5% allocated to CPU contributors
This allocation reflects the network’s emphasis on high-performance graphics processing units, which are more critical for AI training, rendering, and other intensive workloads. However, the ratio is not set in stone and may be adjusted in the future to better manage supply-side dynamics and ensure balanced network development.
All emissions follow a predetermined schedule, ensuring transparency and predictability for participants. This structured approach helps users forecast potential earnings and plan long-term involvement.
Staking Requirements for Block Rewards
Starting recently, IO Device Level Staking is now mandatory to qualify for block rewards. This means each device must meet a minimum staking threshold to be eligible.
Staking aligns the interests of suppliers with the long-term health of the network by encouraging responsible participation. It also helps prevent spam or low-quality nodes from diluting the reward pool.
📘 Staking ensures that only committed and reliable contributors receive rewards, enhancing network stability and trust.
To learn more about staking mechanics and how to stake your $IO tokens, refer to the official staking documentation (content removed per cleanup rules). Make sure your account meets the minimum stake before attempting to claim rewards.
Eligibility Criteria for Block Reward Nomination
To be nominated for a block reward, your device must satisfy several technical and operational conditions:
- ✅ Device uptime must be "green" for the past 5 consecutive hours
- ✅ Minimum staking requirement must be fulfilled
- ✅ Account holder must have a valid Solana-based Web3 wallet (self-custodial)
- ✅ Device status must not be terminated or unsupported
- ✅ Device’s hardware multiplier must be greater than 0
- ✅ Device’s connectivity tier must exceed 0
These criteria ensure that only high-performing, well-connected, and staked devices participate in reward distribution.
📘 Shortly before a new block closes, the system rechecks your device for uptime and proof-of-work (PoW) compliance. This ensures real-time accuracy in eligibility assessment.
You can monitor your device’s status via the Block Rewards Nomination Checklist, accessible by clicking the caret next to “Eligible” in your dashboard. Each item appears with a green check (pass) or red X (fail), giving full visibility into your current standing.
Block Rewards Nomination Checklist Explained
Transparency is central to the IOG Network’s design. The Nomination Checklist provides real-time feedback on whether your device qualifies for the next reward cycle.
Key features include:
- Live status updates for uptime, staking, wallet type, and connectivity
- Clear indicators showing pass/fail results for each criterion
- Instant alerts when a condition changes (e.g., brief downtime)
If all checks are green at block closure time, your device will be included in that hour’s reward distribution.
👉 Maximize your eligibility—learn how to optimize your setup now.
Hardware Guidelines and Recent Updates
Not all hardware configurations are treated equally. The network applies multipliers and eligibility filters based on performance characteristics.
Memory Requirements
- Devices like M3 models with 8GB RAM can be user-upgraded.
- However, the minimum effective configuration requires 16GB of memory to ensure stable operation and eligibility.
Threadripper Devices
As of July 5, Ryzen Threadripper-based systems have been temporarily excluded from block reward eligibility. This decision followed confirmed reports of malicious actors attempting to inject non-compliant Threadripper devices into the network.
🚧 This restriction is temporary. The IOG team will reassess and potentially reinstate support in the future based on security improvements and network stability.
Wallet Requirements: Self-Custody Only
Only self-custodial Web3 wallets are supported for receiving block rewards. Exchange deposit addresses (custodial wallets) are not accepted.
Why? Because claiming rewards involves interacting with smart contracts—something custodial services typically do not allow.
🚧 If you’ve linked an exchange wallet (like Binance, Coinbase, etc.), you will be unable to claim block rewards, worker earnings, or seasonal event payouts. Switch to a self-custodial Solana wallet immediately in your Account Settings.
Supported wallets include Phantom, Backpack, and other Solana-compatible non-custodial options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When are block rewards distributed?
A: Rewards are calculated hourly and become claimable after verification. The first week’s rewards were bundled with Ignition Season 3 claims; ongoing rewards follow a continuous claim model.
Q: Can I use an exchange wallet to receive rewards?
A: No. Exchange deposit addresses are custodial and cannot interact with smart contracts required for claiming. Use a self-custodial Solana wallet instead.
Q: Why was my device disqualified despite being online?
A: Common reasons include insufficient staking, outdated software, connectivity issues, or failing the 5-hour uptime check. Review your nomination checklist for specifics.
Q: Are CPU rewards worth participating for?
A: While CPUs receive only 5% of total emissions, they still offer earning potential—especially for users with multiple eligible devices or low-power setups.
Q: Will the reward split between GPUs and CPUs change?
A: Yes, the current 95/5 ratio may be adjusted in the future to better balance network growth and resource demand.
Q: How does slashing affect my rewards?
A: If a device fails uptime checks or behaves abnormally during a block period, part or all of its accrued reward may be slashed as a penalty.
Final Thoughts: Build Value Through Participation
Earning block rewards on the IOG Network isn't just about passive income—it's about contributing to a decentralized computing revolution. By providing reliable hardware, maintaining uptime, meeting staking requirements, and using proper wallets, you position yourself as a valuable node in a growing ecosystem.
With clear rules, transparent checklists, and predictable emissions, the IOG Network empowers individuals worldwide to monetize their idle computing resources fairly and securely.
👉 Start earning with your GPU—join the decentralized compute movement now.
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