The journey toward a fully decentralized, high-performance blockchain ecosystem has reached a pivotal milestone. Today marks the official conclusion of the Equinox Staking period and the successful launch of Phase One of the Injective Mainnet—a major step forward in building the future of Web3 finance.
Over recent months, the Injective community demonstrated exceptional engagement during the Equinox testnet phase. More than $50 million in INJ tokens were staked, governance mechanisms matured significantly, and critical protocol upgrades were executed with support from one of the most reputable validator sets in the crypto space. This collective effort laid a robust foundation for the mainnet rollout, setting Injective apart as a leader in decentralized exchange infrastructure.
Behind the scenes, extensive preparations—including multiple dry runs with external validators—ensured a smooth transition into mainnet operations. As previously outlined, the Injective mainnet launch is structured in three distinct phases:
- Phase 1: Deployment of the Peggy Bridge and initial cross-chain functionality
- Phase 2: Launch of the Canary Chain and exchange components
- Phase 3: Release of the canonical Injective Chain
With Phase 1 now live, users can begin interacting with core cross-chain capabilities—starting with the fully audited Peggy Bridge, which enables seamless ERC-20 token transfers between Ethereum and Injective.
👉 Discover how to bridge assets securely and start participating in decentralized trading today.
Equinox Staking Rewards: Final Distribution Details
The Equinox staking campaign has officially concluded, marking the end of an era of community-driven testing and incentivized participation. For many, this was a rare opportunity to earn staking rewards while contributing directly to protocol development—an innovative model that may set a new standard in the crypto industry.
Participants who engaged in the Equinox epic task—executing 50 trades across five different markets with a net positive profit—were eligible for a 3% APY boost on their staked INJ. However, due to recent exchange upgrades that temporarily limited access to trading features, many users were unable to complete the challenge in time.
To ensure fairness, Injective has extended the eligibility window:
Users can still complete the epic task and receive the staking boost even after unstaking from the Ethereum contract, as long as they meet the requirements before Phase 3 (canonical chain launch). For example, if you staked 100 INJ during Equinox and unstaked today, you’ll retain eligibility for the 3% boost upon task completion.
Important Note: If you withdrew your stake before today’s announcement, you are no longer eligible for any Equinox rewards.
Reward calculations will be based on your staked balance from the start of pre-staking through today. Final distributions will occur at the beginning of Phase 3, ensuring ample time for community members to qualify for bonuses.
Rewards will be distributed directly to Injective addresses (those beginning with inj) and not on Ethereum. This ensures alignment with the long-term vision of a native, self-sustaining Injective ecosystem.
You can review your preliminary reward amount here, under the "total" field corresponding to your address. Keep in mind these figures do not yet include potential epic task bonuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will I receive my Equinox staking rewards?
A: Rewards will be distributed at the start of Phase 3, following the release of the canonical Injective Chain.
Q: Can I still earn the 3% APY boost after unstaking?
A: Yes, as long as you completed or complete the epic task before Phase 3, your historical stake will qualify for the boost.
Q: Where will my rewards be sent?
A: Directly to your Injective wallet address (inj_... format), not to Ethereum.
The Injective Peggy Bridge: Secure Cross-Chain Interoperability
At the heart of Phase One lies the Peggy Bridge, a decentralized, non-custodial solution enabling trustless transfer of ERC-20 tokens between Ethereum and Injective.
Unlike centralized bridges, Peggy operates entirely under the control of Injective validators, secured by the chain’s proof-of-stake consensus. Transactions require approval from at least two-thirds of validators, ensuring robust security through decentralized attestation.
The bridge consists of three core components:
1. Peggy Contract (on Ethereum)
This smart contract handles incoming deposits and outgoing withdrawals. It has been fully audited by CertiK, with the audit report publicly available in the Peggo GitHub repository.
To prioritize safety during early adoption, a temporary 3-of-5 multisig controlled by Injective Labs includes limited upgrade and emergency pause functions. While this reduces decentralization slightly, it allows for rapid response to unforeseen issues—especially crucial during the upcoming Canary Chain phase. Full decentralization remains a top priority, and administrative controls will be phased out as soon as conditions allow.
2. Peggo Orchestrator
An off-chain relayer operated by every Injective validator, responsible for transmitting transaction data from Ethereum to Injective. This ensures real-time synchronization without relying on third-party services.
3. Peggy Module (on Injective Chain)
Handles token minting upon deposit and burning upon withdrawal. It also enforces validator accountability through slashing penalties, incentive rewards, and withdrawal fees—aligning economic interests with network integrity.
👉 Learn how to move your assets across chains with low fees and high speed.
What’s Next: Phase 2 and the Canary Chain
Next week ushers in Phase 2 with the launch of the Canary Chain—a production-grade testing environment where users can:
- Stake INJ with validators
- Bridge ERC-20 tokens to Injective
- Participate in governance for new spot and derivatives markets
- Create and underwrite insurance funds
- Apply to become a validator
The Canary Chain serves as a proving ground: each component—such as oracles, market creation tools, and UI interfaces—will be rolled out incrementally and stress-tested before being used with real user funds. This cautious approach prioritizes security, stability, and decentralization over rapid deployment.
Developers and traders alike are encouraged to explore this environment and help shape the final form of Injective’s decentralized exchange protocol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Peggy Bridge safe to use?
A: Yes—the bridge is audited, non-custodial, and secured by Injective’s validator set. Temporary admin controls add an extra safety layer during early use.
Q: Can I bridge any ERC-20 token?
A: Yes, once Phase 2 launches, users will be able to bridge any ERC-20 token to Injective via the Peggy Bridge.
Q: What is the purpose of the Canary Chain?
A: It allows real-world testing of exchange features with actual stakes before full mainnet deployment, minimizing risks to users.
Final Thoughts
As Injective moves into this new chapter, the vision of a truly open, decentralized financial system becomes increasingly tangible. From community-powered staking to secure cross-chain interoperability and progressive mainnet deployment, every step reflects a commitment to innovation, transparency, and user empowerment.
With Phase One complete and Phase Two on the horizon, now is the ideal time to get involved—whether you're a developer building on Injective, a trader exploring new markets, or a validator securing the network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the core keywords for this article?
A: Injective Mainnet, Equinox Staking Rewards, Peggy Bridge, INJ Staking, Canary Chain, Cross-Chain Interoperability, Decentralized Exchange, Web3 Finance.
Q: Will there be more testnets or incentives after Equinox?
A: While Equinox has ended, future incentive programs may be introduced during later phases like the Canary Chain to encourage continued participation.
Q: How does Injective ensure decentralization despite temporary admin controls?
A: Temporary measures are strictly short-term safeguards. The roadmap includes removing all centralized controls once network stability is confirmed—upholding Injective’s core principle of full decentralization.