vechain

Evearn, an app running on VeChain‘s VeBetter platform, rewards electric and hybrid vehicle drivers with B3TR tokens, and, today announced a strategic partnership with Smartcar to give EV and hybrid drivers a new way to be rewarded for their daily commutes.

Through this collaboration, Smartcar’s advanced connected vehicle technology allows Evearn users to seamlessly monitor the CO₂ saved on their journeys by driving an electric or hybrid vehicle instead of a fuel-powered car. VeChain’s blockchain infrastructure then ensures that rewards are accurately allocated based on verified vehicle data, creating a trusted link between how people drive and the value they receive for choosing a more sustainable mode of transport.

The partnership strengthens VeChain’s mission to connect real-world positive actions with transparent, on-chain incentives, using electric and hybrid vehicle driving as a clear, measurable example of everyday climate impact.

Verified data, rewards, and sustainable driving

The partnership between Smartcar and VeChain through Evearn enables the impact of more than 30 electric and hybrid vehicle brands to be tracked and rewarded across Europe and North America. Evearn turns everyday trips in supported EV and hybrid vehicles into verifiable signals of sustainable mobility and connects them with digital rewards that drivers can see, track, and own.

By grounding rewards in verified vehicle data, the collaboration delivers three clear benefits:

Accuracy: Smartcar provides a reliable, standardized vehicle data connection across more than 30 brands, ensuring driving behavior is captured consistently.

Trust: VeChain records the reward logic, allocation, and sustainability proof of actual CO₂ saved per drive on a public blockchain, supporting transparency and auditability.

Engagement: Drivers see a clear link between their daily journeys and the rewards they earn, making sustainable driving more tangible, visible, and motivating.

By tying rewards to verified data across a growing range of electric and hybrid vehicle brands, the partnership helps raise awareness of the benefits of EV adoption and encourages more people to choose lower-emission journeys in their day-to-day lives.

How Smartcar and VeChain enable Evearn rewards

Within the Evearn application, Smartcar acts as the data bridge between vehicles and the platform. Once a user connects their supported EV or hybrid vehicle, Smartcar enables secure access to selected driving information under clear consent controls, removing the need for additional hardware or complex setup. User data remains protected, and Evearn only accesses odometer readings, not sensitive personal information.

Evearn then interprets this verified driving data to determine each user’s eligibility for rewards. VeChain’s blockchain infrastructure underpins the final step, bringing those rewards on-chain so that:

A verifiable record exists for how rewards are calculated

Each trip generates a verifiable record of CO₂ saved

Allocation rules can be enforced transparently

Users can hold, track, and manage their rewards as digital assets within the broader VeBetter ecosystem

This end-to-end flow transforms real-world driving behavior into on-chain value, offering a practical blueprint for how real-world applications and the VeChain blockchain can work together to reward sustainable actions at scale.

Raising awareness for EV adoption

Beyond the technology, the partnership is designed to increase awareness of the benefits of electric and hybrid vehicles. By showing drivers that their everyday journeys can generate both measurable environmental impact and personal rewards, Evearn, VeChain, and Smartcar are helping make sustainable driving more visible and more rewarding.

As more drivers connect their vehicles on-chain, Evearn becomes a growing network that showcases the positive effects of greener mobility choices, from reduced emissions to a stronger culture of conscious transportation. Each verified journey contributes to VeChain’s mission to turn positive real-world actions into measurable, on-chain value within the VeBetter ecosystem.

About Evearn

Evearn is a VeChain-powered application that rewards electric and hybrid vehicle drivers for real-world sustainable behavior. By connecting a supported EV or hybrid vehicle and driving as normal, users earn on-chain rewards that reflect their verified driving activity. Evearn is available through the VeWorld wallet on iOS and Android, allowing drivers to access the app, view their activity, and claim rewards in one place. Evearn is part of the wider VeBetter ecosystem, which focuses on turning positive actions into measurable, ownable value.

For more information, visit evearn.io.

About VeChain

Founded in 2015, VeChain is a leading public blockchain platform focused on real-world adoption, sustainability, and data transparency. With over 5 million user accounts and more than 350 applications built on its network, VeChain provides the infrastructure and tools required to record, verify, and reward positive actions at scale. Through applications such as Evearn and the VeBetter ecosystem, VeChain is working to transform everyday sustainable choices into a new class of tokenized, verifiable value.

For more information, visit vechain.org.

About Smartcar

Smartcar is a connected vehicle data platform that enables businesses and developers to integrate applications with connected vehicles through a single interface. By providing standardized and secure access to vehicle information, Smartcar powers new mobility solutions, including services that promote electric vehicle adoption and data-driven driver engagement.

For more information, visit smartcar.com.

Evearn & Smartcar Partner to Reward Drivers of 30+ Brands of EV/Hybrid Cars, Powered by VeChain was originally published in VeChain on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Following the launch of the VeFounder program, we saw a surge of passionate applicants looking to takeover and lead pre-built applications currently live on the VeBetter platform — VeChain’s incentive-based ecosystem, governed by a DAO, that tokenizes, gamifies and rewards sustainability-related activities.

A huge thank you to everyone who has applied so far — the passion and talent on display, both in the VeChain community and beyond, has been awe-inspiring. After reviewing many strong applications, we’repleased to share that our team have selected two initial founders, shortlisting them for takeover and management of the two VeBetter apps.

The process is already underway, and handover for both apps will soon be complete, and at that point, the VeFounders officially take the lead.

What is a ‘VeFounder’?

VeFounder is a community program built to empower a new generation of professionals to lead a web3 startup running on the VeChainThor blockchain, powered by the VeBetter ecosystem.

VeFounders take on and co-manage pre-built applications, complete with their own social media channels and treasury, supported by the VeChain Foundation. After acquiring 100K users, the VeFounder officially takes full ownership of the application and any associated assets, supporting builders who, in turn, support ecosystem growth.

VeBetter — Strong Growth in A Turbulent Market

Since the mainnet launch of VeBetter in June 2024, we have seen tremendous growth in the ecosystem. The platform now has over 50 apps, has powered 46M tokenized transactions, and has distributed millions of dollars in rewards for actions bringing direct benefits for people and planet.

To continue this growth trajectory, we’re looking to support a new generation of builders and founders who want to grow with us and help deliver the next million user app to the VeBetter platform — as we at VeChain continue our own efforts in supporting the wider growth of the VeChainThor ecosystem.

With that, let’s meet the founders!

Your New VeFounders

Incoming VeFounder: VirtualFlame

X account: https://x.com/TheVirtualFlame

Flame has been an active contributor in the VeChain ecosystem since 2020, building a strong reputation for community leadership and on-chain storytelling. Known for creating on-chain media, shaping social content, and helping drive clear, reliable information across the community, Flame has consistently played a forward-facing role in ecosystem communication. He was also among the earliest community members to publicly champion VeBetterDAO, and when many were still uncertain, he leaned in early, dedicating weeks to educating others on the value and long-term importance of the DAO. At his core, Flame is driven by a genuine commitment to the community and the future growth of VeChain applications.

“My passion for marketing, blockchain, and sustainability all come together for my next endeavor: leading a VeBetter app to success!”

Incoming VeFounder: Nestor

X account: https://x.com/nes_campos

With deep experience in development and project delivery, Nestor was recently awarded at the VeChain Hackathon in late 2025. His passion and technical leadership have given us full confidence in bringing him on as a founder.

“Being a VeFounder is not just an achievement for me, but an opportunity to take all my experience and use it to solve a major global problem: food waste. That’s why I believe in and am committed to scaling VeBetter apps into an everyday tool for millions of people, empowering them to take small but powerful actions, connect with a like-minded ecosystem, and simultaneously serve as a platform connecting businesses and users/customers to create sustainable synergy.”

Let’s show our support as they step into their new roles!

Supporting the Journey Ahead

These founders are stepping in with dedication, fresh ideas, and a strong commitment to the community, exactly the qualities the VeFounder Program aims to cultivate. We invite everyone to give all yoursupport and welcome our amazing new VeFounders as they get to work building out their vision of what comes next.

CTA: Follow X channels, add social media links

Applications Remain Open

This is only the beginning. With more apps being added to the program, we continue to accept VeFounder applications and build a roster of talented candidates ready for the next wave.

If you or someone in your network is ready to take over and scale a real Web3 product, we encourage you to apply or share the opportunity.

Learn more about the VeFounder Program:

https://vebetter.com/scale-web3-startups-vefounder

Get Started: To start your VeBetter journey, download VeWorld, head to the app section. To maximise your benefits, stake your VET on StarGate, with carry-over benefits!

Follow @vechainofficial on X to stay updated

VeBetter Community Update: Welcoming Our First VeFounders! was originally published in VeChain on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

VeChain , the leading blockchain for real world applications, is proud to be featured in a new Global Sustainable Trade Initiative (GSTI) documentary — a campaign led by Acumen, with CNBC as media partner. The initiative explores how blockchains are redefining innovation, how we collaborate, and the role of technology in helping magnify the impact individuals, building towards a more equitable, and sustainable world for people and planet.

The GSTI campaign presents an insightful and educational story of transformation, told through the lens of the VeChain team — presenting a compelling case for how simple, everyday actions can drive major shifts at scale.

VeChain: A Blockchain Built for Real-World Use

Founded in 2015, VeChain was built on a clear premise: blockchain technology should solve real-world problems. Starting in product traceability and supply chain transparency, VeChain worked with major global enterprises to capture critical data throughout a product’s journey — verifying authenticity, compliance, and various other conditions.

Building on this foundation of excellence, VeChain’s trust-first infrastructure has continued to evolve, and now aims to tackle one of the world’s most urgent challenges: sustainability.

From Supply Chain to Sustainability: A Natural Evolution

VeChain’s early successes came from helping companies track and verify supply chain data. With all information secured by the VeChainThor blockchain, organizations could share data more seamlessly, securely and in a trusted way. In turn, this allowed them to prove product provenance, enhance consumer trust, and reduce fraud, while saving time, costs and manpower.

Over time, VeChain has expanded its scope, transitioning solely from enterprise use cases and embracing the B2C environment, too, through its VeBetter application platform.

Today, VeChainThor serves as a platform for both businesses and individuals, opening a new, scalable adoption frontier

VeBetter: Turning Actions into Impact

At the heart of this transformation is VeBetter, an ecosystem of over 50 (and growing) applications built on the VeChainThor blockchain. Each app captures small but meaningful user actions, tokenizing their data, and monetizing it, rewarding people with B3TR tokens.

Sustainability has a broad scope, with apps on the platform rewarding users for activities ranging from:

Mugshot: Reducing paper cup waste and encouraging reusable mug usage

GreenCart: Encouraging healthy, sustainable grocery choices

Cleanify: Activates and rewards local community cleanup efforts

BYB: A health and fitness app, co-branded with the UFC

Evearn: Promotes sustainable transport for both EVs and hybrids

These experiences and more are accessible through VeWorld, VeChain’s unified wallet and Web3 Super App, designed for ease of use — no prior crypto knowledge required.

VeBetter rewards users with B3TR tokens: digital tokens that represent both personal achievement and collective environmental impact. These tokens can be redeemed for discounts, vouchers, or used to support new sustainable initiatives within the platform.

Proof of Impact: Trust Through Tokenized Data

What sets VeChain apart is its ability to make impact verifiable.

Every action tracked through VeBetter apps is recorded on-chain, creating an immutable, transparent record of sustainability contributions. In just over a year:

5.5 million users have joined

300,000 kg of plastic have been diverted from waste

18 million liters of water have been saved

5,000 tons of CO₂ have been prevented

600,000 kg of timber have been preserved

These metrics are not just claims — they are blockchain-verified facts that businesses can use for ESG reporting, green finance access, or sustainability audits.

What’s Next: AI-Powered Sustainability Agents

VeChain’s current ecosystem incentivizes human behavior, but the next phase is automation, powered by AI, as per our recent ‘VeBetter Whitepaper 2.0’.

AI agents will soon assist users by:

Aggregating actions across apps

Optimizing sustainability impact and token rewards

Acting autonomously to launch new use cases

In the future, these agents could even create new decentralized services and business models — turning verified impact into programmable value. VeChain envisions a world where individuals, businesses, and AI systemscollaborate to build a smarter, greener, and more accountable future.

Read more about it here: VeBetter AI Whitepaper

What Is the Global Sustainable Trade Initiative (GSTI)?

The Global Sustainable Trade Initiative (GSTI) is a multi-format campaign led by Acumen, featuring documentaries, white papers, roundtable discussions, and in-depth interviews with industry leaders.

The goal: to explore how global trade can evolve into a system that better serves people, businesses, and the planet.

With CNBC as media partner, the campaign shines a spotlight on organizations driving change through technology, innovation, and collective action. VeChain’s inclusion highlights how blockchain is no longer just a buzzword — it’s a proven enabler of transparent, verifiable, and incentivized sustainability.

Watch the Documentary and Join the Movement

The GSTI documentary featuring VeChain explores how a blockchain platform has become a global engine for impact — making sustainability visible, rewarding, and unstoppable.

Watch the story behind VeChain’s mission and hear from the people driving this transformation — including real-world examples of how blockchain is touching lives, businesses, and ecosystems.

👉 Watch the documentary:

https://www.cnbc.com/advertorial/acumen-gsti-vechain/

👉 Explore the VeChain ecosystem:

vechain.org

VeChain is more than a blockchain. It’s a movement, building the digital backbone of a new age, and creating value for people, the planet, while delivering the future of sustainability.

VeChain and Rekord are entering the next phase of their strategic partnership, building the foundational infrastructure for Europe’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) rollout. By combining VeChain’s enterprise-grade blockchain with Rekord’s intelligent trust layer, the collaboration delivers production-ready solutions designed to meet the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and related mandates.

By mid-December, the joint stack on VeChainThor is expected to handle more than one hundred thousand DPP events per month, placing VeChain and Rekord among the first providers delivering DPP infrastructure at an industrial scale.

Launching in collaboration with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), the partnership will enable manufacturers to move from fragmented supply chains to transparent, compliant, and circular ecosystems powered by public blockchain and real-time operational data.

With large businesses required to meet EU Digital Product Passport mandates from 2026, the timing is critical. ESPR is arriving alongside other major regulations, including the EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Together, they are making lifecycle traceability a core condition for accessing the market across twenty-seven member states.

VeChain’s advanced technical infrastructure makes its blockchain a natural fit for enterprise-grade DPPs, built for scale, sustainability, and long-term regulatory readiness. DPPs build on VeChain’s established role in supply chain transparency and extend it into integrated sustainability reporting for one of the world’s most advanced economic regions.

What comes next is the tokenization and digitization of products entering the European Union to comply with real regulatory needs — a vision we have been building on since launch — the true embodiment of Real-World Assets (RWAs), driving actual value on-chain.

Regulatory Calls for Transparency

Following the introduction of the ESPR in Europe, the continent is shaking up how products and goods are manufactured. In this new paradigm, sustainability, recycling, and the circular economy sit at the core. ESPR states that products should be as sustainable as possible, including repairs and ultimately, recycling.

Critical to this mission is the Digital Product Passport (DPP) — a digital record that tracks the lifecycle of products, including sourcing and production. Public blockchains are perfectly suited to deliver on the needs of DPPs, being uniquely able to record and imbue immutable trust and transparency across data trails.

Mandatory DPP rollout in the EU begins for large enterprises in 2026, with a phased rollout to other sectors and sizes of business continuing to 2030. This makes DPP technology an integral aspect of European commerce, creating a tremendous market opportunity for leaders who can drive scale and adoption early in its rollout.

“Despite the urgency, most manufacturers are still in planning or pilot mode”. Rekord said. “Digital Product Passport initiatives and roadmaps significantly outnumber the production-ready systems that will be live before the first enforcement dates. Our collaboration with VeChain and the AMRC is focused on closing that readiness gap by delivering an industrial-scale stack that can be deployed in factories today.”

Rekord, the AMRC, and VeChainThor

Rekord has built its DPP platform in close collaboration with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), one of the world’s leading hubs for industry-focused manufacturing research and development.

The AMRC is part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult and works with global giants such as Boeing and Rolls-Royce alongside a broad network of partners across aerospace, automotive, energy, and medical devices. For more than twenty years,the AMRC has combined cutting-edge research with real factory environments and trained the next generation of manufacturing professionals through the AMRC Training Centre.

“Digital Product Passports are rapidly moving from concept to mandate in the European Union,” said a spokesperson for the AMRC. “Working with Rekord, we see one of the first stacks that can realistically meet ESPR and DPP requirements at industrial scale, using real-time data instead of PowerPoint slides.”

VeChain brings a decade of real-world delivery to this collaboration, with organizations such as Walmart and Lululemon China having used VeChain’s technology for data provenance, tracking, authentication, and evidencing of sustainability claims across global supply chains. With a battle-tested Layer 1, mature tooling, and deep experience working alongside both industry and academia, VeChain is the logical fit for DPPs and the natural home for scaling real-world uses of blockchain applications.

VeChain Uniquely Positioned for Mass Adoption

VeChain’s underlying infrastructure brings real weight to this partnership. The VeChainThor blockchain provides an energy-efficient, enterprise-grade network that anchors proofs, secures records, and makes every passport instantly verifiable for partners and regulators.

Rekord’s trust layer sits on top of this infrastructure, turning raw data into privacy-preserving proofs that can be verified without exposing proprietary information. AI services analyze dynamic inputs such as IoT signals, satellite imagery, and ERP events, while VeChainThor provides logic-based, on-chain execution. AI is probabilistic, blockchain is execution, and together they create mathematically provable records that regulators, auditors, and markets can trust.

With Rekord building on the VeChainThor stack, organizations can issue and manage DPPs through familiar interfaces and APIs. Passports connect to product identifiers such as QR codes, NFC, or RFID, with a simple scan revealing a product’s verified story. The same digital fabric can support EU-focused compliance, sustainability reporting, carbon data, repair and take back schemes, resale flows, and audit-ready transparency across the full product lifecycle.

VeChain’s infrastructure is purpose-built for this kind of scale. Its two-token model separates the value token VET from the gas token VTHO, keeping operating costs predictable and suitable for high-volume enterprise use. Native features such as clauses and multitask transactions are designed to handle the high-throughput events that supply chains generate. An API first, developer-friendly design allows teams to integrate VeChain without disrupting legacy systems.

As governments and global brands move toward full visibility across product lifecycles, VeChain and Rekord offer technology designed to meet that demand at the exact moment it becomes mandatory. Together with the AMRC, they turn verified transparency into core infrastructure for the real-world economy and create the missing bridge between real-world product data and real-world assets.

About VeChain

VeChain, founded in 2015, is a purpose-built Layer 1 public blockchain for real-world impact. It combines enterprise-grade infrastructure, a dual token model, and predictable transaction costs to support applications in supply chain transparency, tokenization, and sustainability. With over 5 million users and more than 350 applications built on VeChainThor, global brands and builders use VeChain to anchor verifiable data, unlock circular business models, and bring Web3 to everyday users.

For more information, visit https://vechain.org.

About Rekord

Rekord is the Trust Layer for Real World Assets. Its mission is to make data verifiable, interoperable, and trusted across industries, turning any log, even,t or document into tamper-proof, audit-ready evidence. Rekord provides a production-ready platform used for automation, traceability, and sustainability solutions, establishing the standard for verifiable enterprise data at scale.

For more information, visit https://rekord.io.

About the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC)

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is a world-leading cluster for research, innovation and training. Part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult network, it has almost 100 industrial partners and works with manufacturing companies of all sizes from across the globe to deliver cutting-edge products and processes, and train new talent and skills. It’s driving sustainable manufacturing technologies for net zero, creating the vital step-changes needed in the low-carbon transition to help businesses increase economic performance, boost productivity and sharpen their competitive edge.

For more information, visit www.amrc.co.uk.

VeChain, Rekord, & AMRC Launch Production-Scale Digital Product Passport Infrastructure for the EU was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Blockchain for Better — vebetter.com

The world’s biggest challenges share a common problem: we can’t prove we’re solving them.

Climate commitments without verification. Supply chains claiming sustainability without receipts. Impact programs measure good intentions instead of real outcomes. The gap between what organizations say and what they can prove has never been wider — or more costly.

Blockchain changes this equation. It creates permanent, tamper-proof records that anyone can verify. Every transaction, every claim, every action becomes cryptographically secured proof instead of another promise to take at face value.

This is why we built VeChain — and why we created VeBetter. The complexity of global coordination — across supply chains, sustainability programs, and customer engagement — demands infrastructure that makes truth automatic, not aspirational. With 100% uptime since our launch in 2017, we keep building, making this a reality.

VeBetter: The Hub of Collective Action

We built VeBetter to transform the question from “Did I make a difference?” to “Here’s proof.”

It’s our growing ecosystem of over 50 applications where sustainable choices become verified outcomes, where over 5 million people are already turning everyday actions into on-chain records that can’t be disputed or forgotten. Use a reusable cup. Clean up your neighborhood. Choose sustainable transportation. VeBetter verifies it, records it on our blockchain, and rewards it.

We designed the experience to strip away blockchain’s usual complexity. Open an app like Mugshot to track your reusable cups or Cleanify to log community cleanups. Take action, watch our verification happen instantly, and receive recognition that encourages the next choice. Partnerships like UFC — with their app BYB — bring this model into spaces where millions already gather, proving that blockchain adoption happens when technology serves experiences people already value.

The Numbers On-Chain

43 million verified actions and counting. In just over the last year, users’ everyday actions have achieved the following:

350,000+ kilograms of plastic reduced (15 million bottles that won’t reach the ocean)

8 million kilowatt-hours of energy saved (740 homes powered for a year)

90 million liters of water preserved (36 Olympic pools’ worth)

These outcomes exist because we made participation feel natural, while our blockchain does the work in the background. Small, verified choices compound into measurable change when millions of people can coordinate without requiring anyone to trust a central authority’s word.

Impact That Means Something Real

Every verified action generates a digital sustainability credential that stays with you. For individuals, this means building a credible impact history you own — immediate rewards today, growing opportunities tomorrow, and portable proof of contribution that travels across platforms. For businesses, it means outcome-based programs with transparent reporting, eliminating estimation, and delivering measurable ROI on sustainability initiatives.

This unlocks what we couldn’t do before: Verify collective progress at scale. For the first time, we can coordinate millions of individual actions into proven outcomes without relying on intermediaries or self-reported data. Communities can rally around verified milestones. Brands can reward actual behavior change with confidence. Governments and organizations can track real progress toward sustainability goals with on-chain certainty.

The implications extend far beyond individual applications. When impact becomes verifiable, measurable, and portable, blockchain transforms from optional technology into essential infrastructure — the foundation for trust in systems where proof matters.

This is what we have been building over the last decade.

Built for Everyone

The seamless experience on VeBetter apps runs on our enterprise-grade blockchain — VeChainThor — the same technology trusted by Fortune 500 companies and global brands to verify hundreds of millions of transactions carrying real-world value.

Why Organizations Choose VeChain:

Digital Product Passports at Production Scale

Rekord uses our blockchain to build the infrastructure for Europe’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) rollout, processing hundreds of thousands of DPP events per month on VeChainThor. As the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) takes effect this year, alongside regulations like EUDR and CBAM, lifecycle traceability becomes mandatory for market access across twenty-seven member states. Working with partners like the University of Sheffield AMRC, Rekord, and our blockchain technology is delivering production-ready systems that turn fragmented value chains into transparent, compliant, circular economies — moving manufacturers from planning mode to operational reality.

Supply Chains You Can Actually Trust

Walmart China deployed our blockchain to track products from origin to store shelf. Every scan, every temperature reading, every custody transfer gets recorded on VeChainThor. When safety issues arise, responses happen in hours instead of weeks. When consumers want to know where their food comes from, they get on-chain proof instead of marketing material. This is what supply chain transparency looks like when our blockchain handles the verification — accountability becomes automatic.

Products With Permanent Identities

Lululemon give their products blockchain-based digital identities on our network. Scan a tag, see the verified authenticity, material sourcing, and care instructions. Access to repair programs, trade-in options, and resale marketplaces — all powered by product identities secured on VeChainThor that can’t be faked. This unlocks circular economy models that depend on knowing a product’s complete, verified history. One blockchain record on our system replaces dozens of disconnected databases.

The Pattern: Organizations Choose Us When Verification Can’t Fail

These implementations share a common thread. When proof matters more than promises — when millions of dollars, regulatory compliance, or consumer trust is on the line — organizations choose VeChain for our proven ability to create trust at scale without requiring anyone to simply believe what they’re told.

The Verification Generation

Here’s what makes this moment different: you can help adopt this technology just by living sustainably, and better yet, you’re getting rewarded as you go.

Every reusable cup you log. Every cleanup you record. Every sustainable choice you verify through VeBetter adds to the global proof system we’re building. You’re creating tamper-proof evidence on our blockchain, showcasing that collective action works, that verification scales, that this technology enables coordination we couldn’t achieve before.

This matters because the biggest challenges we face — climate change, supply chain accountability, sustainable consumption — require millions of people making verifiable progress together, with infrastructure that makes coordination trustworthy by default.

Your role goes beyond proving impact. Your participation gives you a voice in shaping what we build next. Vote on proposals that determine our roadmap. Choose which apps join the VeBetter ecosystem. Influence the direction of features, partnerships, and priorities. This isn’t just about verifying your actions — it’s about having real say in the trajectory of the platform.

The data you help create demonstrates what’s possible. The votes you cast determine what we build. Together, we’re proving that verified coordination powered by community governance changes what’s achievable.

VeWorld: Your Path to Getting Started

VeWorld is here to make all this accessible without requiring you to understand any of the blockchain technology powering it. Download the app. Explore the VeBetter apps. Start tracking your sustainable actions. That’s it. Behind the scenes, our blockchain is handling verification, consensus mechanisms, and permanent record-keeping. In front of you is a simple interface that shows your impact adding up, rewards appearing in your account, and a verified history you control.

This is our design philosophy: Web3 technology working so well you forget it’s there. No wallet addresses to memorize. No gas fees to calculate. No technical jargon to decode. Just straightforward experiences secured by enterprise-grade blockchain technology.

Your rewards and credentials remain under your control. The complexity of making that work — the cryptography, the distributed consensus, the on-chain recording — gets handled by our technology we designed to disappear into experiences that feel obvious. Our goal is to make verification so seamless that millions participate without thinking about the blockchain infrastructure enabling it.

Start Proving Your Impact Today

Here’s the simplest way to begin: Download VeWorld.

Pick one VeBetter app that matches something you already do or want to start. Take that action and earn your reward. Maybe it’s Greencart tracking your organic groceries.

Maybe it’s Hang’n’dry proving you skipped the dryer. Maybe it’s any of the 50+ applications we’ve enabled to turn sustainable behavior into on-chain proof.

One verified action shows you how our system works. Ten verified actions start building your impact history. A hundred verified actions make you part of demonstrating what becomes possible when millions coordinate through verified truth on our blockchain.

The infrastructure exists. The applications work. Our verification is automatic. What you choose to prove next shapes what we can make possible tomorrow.

Download VeWorld and verify your first action today!

2025 was a watershed year for VeChain and crypto. The fight for utility and mass adoption has never been tougher. But despite major headwinds, VeChain demonstrated why we’ve been the most reliable ecosystem since 2015.

In bygone years, a running joke among crypto enthusiasts was that the industry ran on whitepapers, roadmaps, and promises without viable applications. If this is still your view, though, you haven’t been paying enough attention.

In 2025, we saw concerted efforts from lawmakers across the world to legislate and advance the industry, pushing crypto both as a novel asset class and new technological opportunity. The crypto sector is finally crossing the chasm from abstract concept to material use cases, inviting trillions in new investment, and unlocking a tidal wave of growth.

While much of Web3 spent 2025 chasing narratives, VeChain remained steadfast in its long-term vision: build for utility, relentlessly ship, and deploy technologies that onboard users, businesses, and institutions seamlessly. VeChain maintains that crypto shouldn’t be a medium for speculation, or institutional exit liquidity, but for applications with real utility, powering people, planet and value.

We have proven — at scale — that blockchains deserve their place in the global economy, unlocking efficiencies, creating value, and solving legacy challenges.

In 2025, despite a market backdrop that, at times, felt like a casino, we proudly led the fight for utility and value. Looking ahead to 2026, the prospects for crypto adoption have never looked stronger, and we’re excited for what comes next.

Web3 Utility: More Than Theory

The overarching aim of VeChain and Web3 is ‘real world adoption.’ We’ve proudly launched over 100 enterprise applications since launching in 2015 and delivered hundreds of millions of transactions for business clients. We deliver adoption, while others construct narratives.

In 2024, we embarked upon a bold expansion for Web3 adoption with the mainnet launch of VeBetter — a sustainability-focused B2C app platform built to bring utility to the masses using tokenization and incentives. So far, the platform has achieved:

50+ applications live

Nearly 50 million transactions to date

5.2 million+ users

Hundreds of thousands of weekly on-chain actions, representing real world impact

The most active DAO with tens of thousands of weekly voting actions

In that time, flagship apps like Mugshot and Greencart, coffee cup waste reduction and healthy diet apps respectively, amassed over 3 million users. BYB, a health and fitness-focused application, launched to support the UFC’s massive 900M+ global fanbase. We helped ‘regular’ users — not just crypto natives — experience the potential of blockchain first-hand through activations at the Nitto ATP Finals. We’re bridging the gap between the crypto community and everyday users.

And for many of these users, they aren’t ‘using crypto’. They’re using applications that simply save energy, reward EV driving or support brands they love, through gamified, entertaining experiences, that, uniquely, distribute rewards with tangible value. By abstracting the blockchain experience away, adoption becomes easy.

This is what real adoption looks like. Not Node chatter, transaction spamming, or other metric boosting activities some blockchains deploy. VeChain’s network is delivering the true spirit of crypto and decentralization, for real people and businesses. We are growing.

Upgraded Economics, Built for All

2025 brought substantial changes to VeChain’s economic model, as we sought to reconcile the attributes that make us attractive for adoption — low, stable and adjustable transaction costs — balancing them against the desires of stakeholders, investorsand builders in the form of greater economic incentives.

These were not just minor tweaks. The VeChain Foundation launched a series of groundbreaking upgrades via our ‘VeChain Renaissance’ roadmap (detailed later) with the specific goal of rebuilding our tokenomic model from the protocol up to enable inclusive decentralization and enhance the network security.

Key elements of the upgrade include increasing the burn rate of VTHO, now at 100% of VTHO utilized per transaction. We have also significantly reduced its production and inflation rate, which, against a backdrop of accelerating usage powered by the VeBetter ecosystem helps capture value. Scarcity-plus-demand is a fundamental valuation metric for every market.

In the first few weeks since Hayabusa, the most recent upgrade, went into effect, VeChainThor now produces 50% fewer VTHO overall, and distributes generated VTHO solely to Node holders who stake via the StarGate staking platform. This has the effect of reducing ‘idle’ VTHO generation (such as that generated by exchange’s VET holdings) and condenses the protocol reward pool distribution among a smaller subset of holders, proportionally increasing user rewards.

For us at VeChain, we recognise the vital importance of the interconnection between all actors, and economics are, and will always be, critical to the success and value accrual of a protocol over time.

From a value perspective, VeChain is now in the best position it has ever been — an important factor as we stand on the precipice of a new era of adoption and industry growth.

Compliance & Utility at Institutional Levels

In 2025, VeChain was proud to have been one of the first protocols to proactively come out ahead of emerging regulations by meeting the demands of MiCAR in the EU head-on. The whitepapers for our core protocol tokens, VET and VTHO, were two of the first to be successfully confirmed and published on the EU’s ESMA register, speaking volumes about VeChain’s proactiveness and readiness to embrace and integrate elements of compliance that further our adoption prospects. This achievement was later followed by VeBetter’s B3TR token, as well as the Hayabusa mainnet upgrade.

We forged key strategic partnerships with Keyrock, BitGo, Meria Finance, Franklin Templeton and more, bringing new institutional weight to VeChain’s ecosystem. Along with long term business users like Walmart and several luxury brands, we proudly welcomed new business partners such as Lululemon China, a leading sports fashion brand, and more recently, Rekord, one of the newest businesses to launch operations on VeChainThor who recently surpassed 100,000 on-chain transactions.

Their work is laying the groundwork for regulated, compliant product data infrastructure across Europe in the form of Digital Product Passports, meeting regulatory needs in the trading block. We continue developing relationships and use cases, with news to be announced in early Q1 on that front.

Brands of this calibre expect the best and work with the best. Ergo, VeChain, a long-time champion and pioneer of real utility for Web3, is recognized accordingly, opening doors to growth.

2025 — A Year for Builders & Communities

2025 was a year VeChain went all out for builders, helping them do what builders do best. From new tools, infrastructure, events and opportunities, we made it our mission sure to deliver robust foundations for talented builders across the world. In 2025, we witnessed:

15+ workshops across 5 countries

450+ developers trained

VeChain Builders Academy launched

100+ hacker hackathons, building everything from DeFi to sustainability

VeChain Kit 2.0, core ETH tooling ports (e.g.: Hardhat), EVM upgrades

Grants fuelling real deployment

14.4 million on-chain addresses and 924k+ smart contracts hit

And of course, our incredible community supported this growth by creating content, building apps, sharing news and updates, hosting Spaces, establishing cross chain relationships and continuing to propel us forward.

We are grateful for every person that contributed this year. Sincerely, thank you. Everything we do at VeChain revolves around you, and we will continue to make you our priority in 2026. By the builders, for the builders.

Technology That Serves Missions

VeChain’s adoption has always been underpinned by industry-leading, reliable technology. VeChain is one of very few blockchains with 100% uptime since launch and continued to deliver advancements through the Renaissance releases: Galactica, StarGate and Hayabusa.

But these are not trophies — they are weapons in our fight to deliver genuine utility, to ensure VeChainThor is competitive and compatible, economically attractive, and to allow us to keep succeeding where it matters most. ‘VeChain Renaissance’ as we named our ambitious tech roadmap, introduced:

Galactica:

EIP-1559-style gas fee market + priority tips for Validators

100% VTHO base fee burn

EVM Shanghai alignment

Additional developer features

Hayabusa and StarGate:

Consensus migration to DPoS

Open, non-KYC Validators and inclusive Delegators, increasing decentralization

Institutional, community, and KOL Validator participation

Reduced VTHO inflation, better value capture, superior tokenomics

A staking model built for long-term alignment, not mercenary capital

This is a new, more sustainable economic model for VeChain that delivers survival and scale through 2026 and beyond, enhancing the security, increasing decentralization, and improving community governance.

2026: Louder, Bigger, Unapologetic

2025 was a year filled with technical achievements, ecosystem expansion, and user growth. 2026 is all about acceleration.

Interstellar, the third phase of VeChain renaissance, opens VeChain to the wider Web3 universe — creating avenues to new assets, new builders, and new users with the integration of cross-chain communication protocol. It will allow us to expand well beyond our current borders.

Regulation compliance will be continued to expand the scope of service offerings like custodians to onboard non crypto users.

VeBetter will also continue to evolve — offering deeper engagement, with AI-powered agents helping expand, grow and support the everyday apps making blockchain invisible and indispensable for conscious consumers. The agentic digital economy will only continue to accelerate, and blockchains are its lifeblood.

New business opportunities, projects and partnerships will come online in Q1 and beyond, helping VeChain’s unique technologies be used in new and exciting ways, advancing blockchain integration and merging it with other emerging technological fields.

As Sunny has said many times:

“Crypto doesn’t win by being the destination. It wins by being the rails.”

Amazon isn’t just a bookstore; it became a thriving service ecosystem and shifted an entire commerce paradigm. TC/IP is much more than a communication protocol; it is the bedrock for the entire internet.

Likewise, VeChain’s end state isn’t just being a blockchain. It is about becoming the foundations of a sprawling, tangible Web3 ecosystem, helping solve challenges across industries, for people, and being a pathway that onboards the next billion users, seamlessly, simply, and invisibly.

Market Can Ignore Fundamentals — Reality Doesn’t

2025 turned out to be an uncomfortable experience for many in the space, including us.

Despite a rational focus on fundamentals and long-term value creation, the market became more casino-like, with users chasing quick wins, narratives and memes, only for them to falter as quickly as they emerged.

One thing we are supremely confident about is that as the industry evolves, regulations will finally lay foundations for a legitimate, mainstream-ready market, where real blockchains and businesses delivering valuable utility will win in the end.

Projects without real users fade. Narratives without adoption collapse. Liquidity without purpose dries up. VeChain is still here because it’s building what is valuable, viable, and attractive for the long term.

The 2026 Call to Arms

VeChain’s message for 2026 is simple: If you’re holding VET, you’re backing proven infrastructure, destined to power the future.

If you’re a VeBetter user — crypto native or otherwise — you’ve already tasted a sample of a future where your data, activities and even choices can be monetized and rewarded, recognizing positive contributions you make to global challenges.

If you find yourself challenged by someone claiming crypto has no value, no use cases, and no future — simply point them to VeChain, have them download VeWorld, and let them explore tangible examples of crypto technology, usable every day.Blockchain is a new paradigm for data management, the trend and future are all but certain.

2025 was the year we fought for utility. VeChain remains exactly where it needs to be — true to our vision, and on the right side of what’s to come — massive, mainstream adoption.

Onwards, VeFam, to 2026 — the year the crypto industry truly goes mainstream.

VeChain’s 2026 Manifesto: The Fight for Utility in a “Casino Market” was originally published in The Capital on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

2025 was a watershed year for VeChain and crypto. The fight for utility and mass adoption has never been tougher. But despite major headwinds, VeChain demonstrated why we’ve been the most reliable ecosystem since 2015.

In bygone years, a running joke among crypto enthusiasts was that the industry ran on whitepapers, roadmaps, and promises without viable applications. If this is still your view, though, you haven’t been paying enough attention.

In 2025, we saw concerted efforts from lawmakers across the world to legislate and advance the industry, pushing crypto both as a novel asset class and new technological opportunity. The crypto sector is finally crossing the chasm from abstract concept to material use cases, inviting trillions in new investment, and unlocking a tidal wave of growth.

While much of Web3 spent 2025 chasing narratives, VeChain remained steadfast in its long-term vision: build for utility, relentlessly ship, and deploy technologies that onboard users, businesses, and institutions seamlessly. VeChain maintains that crypto shouldn’t be a medium for speculation, or institutional exit liquidity, but for applications with real utility, powering people, planet and value.

We have proven — at scale — that blockchains deserve their place in the global economy, unlocking efficiencies, creating value, and solving legacy challenges.

In 2025, despite a market backdrop that, at times, felt like a casino, we proudly led the fight for utility and value. Looking ahead to 2026, the prospects for crypto adoption have never looked stronger, and we’re excited for what comes next.

Web3 Utility: More Than Theory

The overarching aim of VeChain and Web3 is ‘real world adoption.’ We’ve proudly launched over 100 enterprise applications since launching in 2015 and delivered hundreds of millions of transactions for business clients. We deliver adoption, while others construct narratives.

In 2024, we embarked upon a bold expansion for Web3 adoption with the mainnet launch of VeBetter — a sustainability-focused B2C app platform built to bring utility to the masses using tokenization and incentives. So far, the platform has achieved:

50+ applications live

Nearly 50 million transactions to date

5.2 million+ users

Hundreds of thousands of weekly on-chain actions, representing real world impact

The most active DAO with tens of thousands of weekly voting actions

In that time, flagship apps like Mugshot and Greencart, coffee cup waste reduction and healthy diet apps respectively, amassed over 3 million users. BYB, a health and fitness-focused application, launched to support the UFC’s massive 900M+ global fanbase. We helped ‘regular’ users — not just crypto natives — experience the potential of blockchain first-hand through activations at the Nitto ATP Finals. We’re bridging the gap between the crypto community and everyday users.

And for many of these users, they aren’t ‘using crypto’. They’re using applications that simply save energy, reward EV driving or support brands they love, through gamified, entertaining experiences, that, uniquely, distribute rewards with tangible value. By abstracting the blockchain experience away, adoption becomes easy.

This is what real adoption looks like. Not Node chatter, transaction spamming, or other metric boosting activities some blockchains deploy. VeChain’s network is delivering the true spirit of crypto and decentralization, for real people and businesses. We are growing.

Upgraded Economics, Built for All

2025 brought substantial changes to VeChain’s economic model, as we sought to reconcile the attributes that make us attractive for adoption — low, stable and adjustable transaction costs — balancing them against the desires of stakeholders, investorsand builders in the form of greater economic incentives.

These were not just minor tweaks. The VeChain Foundation launched a series of groundbreaking upgrades via our ‘VeChain Renaissance’ roadmap (detailed later) with the specific goal of rebuilding our tokenomic model from the protocol up to enable inclusive decentralization and enhance the network security.

Key elements of the upgrade include increasing the burn rate of VTHO, now at 100% of VTHO utilized per transaction. We have also significantly reduced its production and inflation rate, which, against a backdrop of accelerating usage powered by the VeBetter ecosystem helps capture value. Scarcity-plus-demand is a fundamental valuation metric for every market.

In the first few weeks since Hayabusa, the most recent upgrade, went into effect, VeChainThor now produces 50% fewer VTHO overall, and distributes generated VTHO solely to Node holders who stake via the StarGate staking platform. This has the effect of reducing ‘idle’ VTHO generation (such as that generated by exchange’s VET holdings) and condenses the protocol reward pool distribution among a smaller subset of holders, proportionally increasing user rewards.

For us at VeChain, we recognise the vital importance of the interconnection between all actors, and economics are, and will always be, critical to the success and value accrual of a protocol over time.

From a value perspective, VeChain is now in the best position it has ever been — an important factor as we stand on the precipice of a new era of adoption and industry growth.

Compliance & Utility at Institutional Levels

In 2025, VeChain was proud to have been one of the first protocols to proactively come out ahead of emerging regulations by meeting the demands of MiCAR in the EU head-on. The whitepapers for our core protocol tokens, VET and VTHO, were two of the first to be successfully confirmed and published on the EU’s ESMA register, speaking volumes about VeChain’s proactiveness and readiness to embrace and integrate elements of compliance that further our adoption prospects. This achievement was later followed by VeBetter’s B3TR token, as well as the Hayabusa mainnet upgrade.

We forged key strategic partnerships with Keyrock, BitGo, Meria Finance, Franklin Templeton and more, bringing new institutional weight to VeChain’s ecosystem. Along with long term business users like Walmart and several luxury brands, we proudly welcomed new business partners such as Lululemon China, a leading sports fashion brand, and more recently, Rekord, one of the newest businesses to launch operations on VeChainThor who recently surpassed 100,000 on-chain transactions.

Their work is laying the groundwork for regulated, compliant product data infrastructure across Europe in the form of Digital Product Passports, meeting regulatory needs in the trading block. We continue developing relationships and use cases, with news to be announced in early Q1 on that front.

Brands of this calibre expect the best and work with the best. Ergo, VeChain, a long-time champion and pioneer of real utility for Web3, is recognized accordingly, opening doors to growth.

2025 — A Year for Builders & Communities

2025 was a year VeChain went all out for builders, helping them do what builders do best. From new tools, infrastructure, events and opportunities, we made it our mission sure to deliver robust foundations for talented builders across the world. In 2025, we witnessed:

15+ workshops across 5 countries

450+ developers trained

VeChain Builders Academy launched

100+ hacker hackathons, building everything from DeFi to sustainability

VeChain Kit 2.0, core ETH tooling ports (e.g.: Hardhat), EVM upgrades

Grants fuelling real deployment

14.4 million on-chain addresses and 924k+ smart contracts hit

And of course, our incredible community supported this growth by creating content, building apps, sharing news and updates, hosting Spaces, establishing cross chain relationships and continuing to propel us forward.

We are grateful for every person that contributed this year. Sincerely, thank you. Everything we do at VeChain revolves around you, and we will continue to make you our priority in 2026. By the builders, for the builders.

Technology That Serves Missions

VeChain’s adoption has always been underpinned by industry-leading, reliable technology. VeChain is one of very few blockchains with 100% uptime since launch and continued to deliver advancements through the Renaissance releases: Galactica, StarGate and Hayabusa.

But these are not trophies — they are weapons in our fight to deliver genuine utility, to ensure VeChainThor is competitive and compatible, economically attractive, and to allow us to keep succeeding where it matters most. ‘VeChain Renaissance’ as we named our ambitious tech roadmap, introduced:

Galactica:

EIP-1559-style gas fee market + priority tips for Validators

100% VTHO base fee burn

EVM Shanghai alignment

Additional developer features

Hayabusa and StarGate:

Consensus migration to DPoS

Open, non-KYC Validators and inclusive Delegators, increasing decentralization

Institutional, community, and KOL Validator participation

Reduced VTHO inflation, better value capture, superior tokenomics

A staking model built for long-term alignment, not mercenary capital

This is a new, more sustainable economic model for VeChain that delivers survival and scale through 2026 and beyond, enhancing the security, increasing decentralization, and improving community governance.

2026: Louder, Bigger, Unapologetic

2025 was a year filled with technical achievements, ecosystem expansion, and user growth. 2026 is all about acceleration.

Interstellar, the third phase of VeChain renaissance, opens VeChain to the wider Web3 universe — creating avenues to new assets, new builders, and new users with the integration of cross-chain communication protocol. It will allow us to expand well beyond our current borders.

Regulation compliance will be continued to expand the scope of service offerings like custodians to onboard non crypto users.

VeBetter will also continue to evolve — offering deeper engagement, with AI-powered agents helping expand, grow and support the everyday apps making blockchain invisible and indispensable for conscious consumers. The agentic digital economy will only continue to accelerate, and blockchains are its lifeblood.

New business opportunities, projects and partnerships will come online in Q1 and beyond, helping VeChain’s unique technologies be used in new and exciting ways, advancing blockchain integration and merging it with other emerging technological fields.

As Sunny has said many times:

“Crypto doesn’t win by being the destination. It wins by being the rails.”

Amazon isn’t just a bookstore; it became a thriving service ecosystem and shifted an entire commerce paradigm. TC/IP is much more than a communication protocol; it is the bedrock for the entire internet.

Likewise, VeChain’s end state isn’t just being a blockchain. It is about becoming the foundations of a sprawling, tangible Web3 ecosystem, helping solve challenges across industries, for people, and being a pathway that onboards the next billion users, seamlessly, simply, and invisibly.

Market Can Ignore Fundamentals — Reality Doesn’t

2025 turned out to be an uncomfortable experience for many in the space, including us.

Despite a rational focus on fundamentals and long-term value creation, the market became more casino-like, with users chasing quick wins, narratives and memes, only for them to falter as quickly as they emerged.

One thing we are supremely confident about is that as the industry evolves, regulations will finally lay foundations for a legitimate, mainstream-ready market, where real blockchains and businesses delivering valuable utility will win in the end.

Projects without real users fade. Narratives without adoption collapse. Liquidity without purpose dries up. VeChain is still here because it’s building what is valuable, viable, and attractive for the long term.

The 2026 Call to Arms

VeChain’s message for 2026 is simple: If you’re holding VET, you’re backing proven infrastructure, destined to power the future.

If you’re a VeBetter user — crypto native or otherwise — you’ve already tasted a sample of a future where your data, activities and even choices can be monetized and rewarded, recognizing positive contributions you make to global challenges.

If you find yourself challenged by someone claiming crypto has no value, no use cases, and no future — simply point them to VeChain, have them download VeWorld, and let them explore tangible examples of crypto technology, usable every day.Blockchain is a new paradigm for data management, the trend and future are all but certain.

2025 was the year we fought for utility. VeChain remains exactly where it needs to be — true to our vision, and on the right side of what’s to come — massive, mainstream adoption.

Onwards, VeFam, to 2026 — the year the crypto industry truly goes mainstream.

VeChain’s 2026 Manifesto: The Fight for Utility in a “Casino Market” was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

2025 was a watershed year for VeChain and crypto. The fight for utility and mass adoption has never been tougher. But despite major headwinds, VeChain demonstrated why we’ve been the most reliable ecosystem since 2015.

In bygone years, a running joke among crypto enthusiasts was that the industry ran on whitepapers, roadmaps, and promises without viable applications. If this is still your view, though, you haven’t been paying enough attention.

In 2025, we saw concerted efforts from lawmakers across the world to legislate and advance the industry, pushing crypto both as a novel asset class and new technological opportunity. The crypto sector is finally crossing the chasm from abstract concept to material use cases, inviting trillions in new investment, and unlocking a tidal wave of growth.

While much of Web3 spent 2025 chasing narratives, VeChain remained steadfast in its long-term vision: build for utility, relentlessly ship, and deploy technologies that onboard users, businesses, and institutions seamlessly. VeChain maintains that crypto shouldn’t be a medium for speculation, or institutional exit liquidity, but for applications with real utility, powering people, planet and value.

We have proven — at scale — that blockchains deserve their place in the global economy, unlocking efficiencies, creating value, and solving legacy challenges.

In 2025, despite a market backdrop that, at times, felt like a casino, we proudly led the fight for utility and value. Looking ahead to 2026, the prospects for crypto adoption have never looked stronger, and we’re excited for what comes next.

Web3 Utility: More Than Theory

The overarching aim of VeChain and Web3 is ‘real world adoption.’ We’ve proudly launched over 100 enterprise applications since launching in 2015 and delivered hundreds of millions of transactions for business clients. We deliver adoption, while others construct narratives.

In 2024, we embarked upon a bold expansion for Web3 adoption with the mainnet launch of VeBetter — a sustainability-focused B2C app platform built to bring utility to the masses using tokenization and incentives. So far, the platform has achieved:

50+ applications live

Nearly 50 million transactions to date

5.2 million+ users

Hundreds of thousands of weekly on-chain actions, representing real world impact

The most active DAO with tens of thousands of weekly voting actions

In that time, flagship apps like Mugshot and Greencart, coffee cup waste reduction and healthy diet apps respectively, amassed over 3 million users. BYB, a health and fitness-focused application, launched to support the UFC’s massive 900M+ global fanbase. We helped ‘regular’ users — not just crypto natives — experience the potential of blockchain first-hand through activations at the Nitto ATP Finals. We’re bridging the gap between the crypto community and everyday users.

And for many of these users, they aren’t ‘using crypto’. They’re using applications that simply save energy, reward EV driving or support brands they love, through gamified, entertaining experiences, that, uniquely, distribute rewards with tangible value. By abstracting the blockchain experience away, adoption becomes easy.

This is what real adoption looks like. Not Node chatter, transaction spamming, or other metric boosting activities some blockchains deploy. VeChain’s network is delivering the true spirit of crypto and decentralization, for real people and businesses. We are growing.

Upgraded Economics, Built for All

2025 brought substantial changes to VeChain’s economic model, as we sought to reconcile the attributes that make us attractive for adoption — low, stable and adjustable transaction costs — balancing them against the desires of stakeholders, investorsand builders in the form of greater economic incentives.

These were not just minor tweaks. The VeChain Foundation launched a series of groundbreaking upgrades via our ‘VeChain Renaissance’ roadmap (detailed later) with the specific goal of rebuilding our tokenomic model from the protocol up to enable inclusive decentralization and enhance the network security.

Key elements of the upgrade include increasing the burn rate of VTHO, now at 100% of VTHO utilized per transaction. We have also significantly reduced its production and inflation rate, which, against a backdrop of accelerating usage powered by the VeBetter ecosystem helps capture value. Scarcity-plus-demand is a fundamental valuation metric for every market.

In the first few weeks since Hayabusa, the most recent upgrade, went into effect, VeChainThor now produces 50% fewer VTHO overall, and distributes generated VTHO solely to Node holders who stake via the StarGate staking platform. This has the effect of reducing ‘idle’ VTHO generation (such as that generated by exchange’s VET holdings) and condenses the protocol reward pool distribution among a smaller subset of holders, proportionally increasing user rewards.

For us at VeChain, we recognise the vital importance of the interconnection between all actors, and economics are, and will always be, critical to the success and value accrual of a protocol over time.

From a value perspective, VeChain is now in the best position it has ever been — an important factor as we stand on the precipice of a new era of adoption and industry growth.

Compliance & Utility at Institutional Levels

In 2025, VeChain was proud to have been one of the first protocols to proactively come out ahead of emerging regulations by meeting the demands of MiCAR in the EU head-on. The whitepapers for our core protocol tokens, VET and VTHO, were two of the first to be successfully confirmed and published on the EU’s ESMA register, speaking volumes about VeChain’s proactiveness and readiness to embrace and integrate elements of compliance that further our adoption prospects. This achievement was later followed by VeBetter’s B3TR token, as well as the Hayabusa mainnet upgrade.

We forged key strategic partnerships with Keyrock, BitGo, Meria Finance, Franklin Templeton and more, bringing new institutional weight to VeChain’s ecosystem. Along with long term business users like Walmart and several luxury brands, we proudly welcomed new business partners such as Lululemon China, a leading sports fashion brand, and more recently, Rekord, one of the newest businesses to launch operations on VeChainThor who recently surpassed 100,000 on-chain transactions.

Their work is laying the groundwork for regulated, compliant product data infrastructure across Europe in the form of Digital Product Passports, meeting regulatory needs in the trading block. We continue developing relationships and use cases, with news to be announced in early Q1 on that front.

Brands of this calibre expect the best and work with the best. Ergo, VeChain, a long-time champion and pioneer of real utility for Web3, is recognized accordingly, opening doors to growth.

2025 — A Year for Builders & Communities

2025 was a year VeChain went all out for builders, helping them do what builders do best. From new tools, infrastructure, events and opportunities, we made it our mission sure to deliver robust foundations for talented builders across the world. In 2025, we witnessed:

15+ workshops across 5 countries

450+ developers trained

VeChain Builders Academy launched

100+ hacker hackathons, building everything from DeFi to sustainability

VeChain Kit 2.0, core ETH tooling ports (e.g.: Hardhat), EVM upgrades

Grants fuelling real deployment

14.4 million on-chain addresses and 924k+ smart contracts hit

And of course, our incredible community supported this growth by creating content, building apps, sharing news and updates, hosting Spaces, establishing cross chain relationships and continuing to propel us forward.

We are grateful for every person that contributed this year. Sincerely, thank you. Everything we do at VeChain revolves around you, and we will continue to make you our priority in 2026. By the builders, for the builders.

Technology That Serves Missions

VeChain’s adoption has always been underpinned by industry-leading, reliable technology. VeChain is one of very few blockchains with 100% uptime since launch and continued to deliver advancements through the Renaissance releases: Galactica, StarGate and Hayabusa.

But these are not trophies — they are weapons in our fight to deliver genuine utility, to ensure VeChainThor is competitive and compatible, economically attractive, and to allow us to keep succeeding where it matters most. ‘VeChain Renaissance’ as we named our ambitious tech roadmap, introduced:

Galactica:

EIP-1559-style gas fee market + priority tips for Validators

100% VTHO base fee burn

EVM Shanghai alignment

Additional developer features

Hayabusa and StarGate:

Consensus migration to DPoS

Open, non-KYC Validators and inclusive Delegators, increasing decentralization

Institutional, community, and KOL Validator participation

Reduced VTHO inflation, better value capture, superior tokenomics

A staking model built for long-term alignment, not mercenary capital

This is a new, more sustainable economic model for VeChain that delivers survival and scale through 2026 and beyond, enhancing the security, increasing decentralization, and improving community governance.

2026: Louder, Bigger, Unapologetic

2025 was a year filled with technical achievements, ecosystem expansion, and user growth. 2026 is all about acceleration.

Interstellar, the third phase of VeChain renaissance, opens VeChain to the wider Web3 universe — creating avenues to new assets, new builders, and new users with the integration of cross-chain communication protocol. It will allow us to expand well beyond our current borders.

Regulation compliance will be continued to expand the scope of service offerings like custodians to onboard non crypto users.

VeBetter will also continue to evolve — offering deeper engagement, with AI-powered agents helping expand, grow and support the everyday apps making blockchain invisible and indispensable for conscious consumers. The agentic digital economy will only continue to accelerate, and blockchains are its lifeblood.

New business opportunities, projects and partnerships will come online in Q1 and beyond, helping VeChain’s unique technologies be used in new and exciting ways, advancing blockchain integration and merging it with other emerging technological fields.

As Sunny has said many times:

“Crypto doesn’t win by being the destination. It wins by being the rails.”

Amazon isn’t just a bookstore; it became a thriving service ecosystem and shifted an entire commerce paradigm. TC/IP is much more than a communication protocol; it is the bedrock for the entire internet.

Likewise, VeChain’s end state isn’t just being a blockchain. It is about becoming the foundations of a sprawling, tangible Web3 ecosystem, helping solve challenges across industries, for people, and being a pathway that onboards the next billion users, seamlessly, simply, and invisibly.

Market Can Ignore Fundamentals — Reality Doesn’t

2025 turned out to be an uncomfortable experience for many in the space, including us.

Despite a rational focus on fundamentals and long-term value creation, the market became more casino-like, with users chasing quick wins, narratives and memes, only for them to falter as quickly as they emerged.

One thing we are supremely confident about is that as the industry evolves, regulations will finally lay foundations for a legitimate, mainstream-ready market, where real blockchains and businesses delivering valuable utility will win in the end.

Projects without real users fade. Narratives without adoption collapse. Liquidity without purpose dries up. VeChain is still here because it’s building what is valuable, viable, and attractive for the long term.

The 2026 Call to Arms

VeChain’s message for 2026 is simple: If you’re holding VET, you’re backing proven infrastructure, destined to power the future.

If you’re a VeBetter user — crypto native or otherwise — you’ve already tasted a sample of a future where your data, activities and even choices can be monetized and rewarded, recognizing positive contributions you make to global challenges.

If you find yourself challenged by someone claiming crypto has no value, no use cases, and no future — simply point them to VeChain, have them download VeWorld, and let them explore tangible examples of crypto technology, usable every day.Blockchain is a new paradigm for data management, the trend and future are all but certain.

2025 was the year we fought for utility. VeChain remains exactly where it needs to be — true to our vision, and on the right side of what’s to come — massive, mainstream adoption.

Onwards, VeFam, to 2026 — the year the crypto industry truly goes mainstream.

The next wave of blockchain adoption belongs to networks that operate as institutional-grade infrastructure. Technically resilient, economically disciplined, and aligned with the regulatory environment they live in. That has been VeChain’s direction for years and Hayabusa turns that direction into a concrete protocol upgrade, bringing clearer governance, a disciplined token model, and a regulatory aligned base layer for what comes next.

When the Republic of San Marino needed a trusted digital Covid certificate, its lawmakers turned to VeChainThor as the public infrastructure to anchor a national system. When authorities sought a way to manage hygiene and risk during the pandemic, VeTrust was deployed to bring transparency and accountability to businesses and communities. When Walmart China required a blockchain to help support product traceability and trust at scale, VeChain processed tens of millions of transactions without interruption.

These projects span different sectors and regions, and together they point out clearly: Public authorities and global brands see VeChain as a trusted partner when responsibility and accountability matter most. This is the foundation Hayabusa is built on.

Hayabusa: Primed and Ready

Hayabusa carries VeChainThor into its next chapter as institutional-grade infrastructure, with consensus, tokenomics, and documentation shaped for the standards that regulators and major enterprises already bring to our network.

In this upgrade, we see VeChainThor transition to a Delegated-Proof-of-Stake model (DPoS), with stake guiding who produces blocks and how participation works. Validators and Delegators are visible on-chain, and their incentives are clear, which is the level of transparency institutions expect from infrastructure that aims to scale.

Hayabusa also rewires how VET and VTHO work together. VTHO generation is tied more directly to staked VET and real network usage, so issuance and rewards move with actual participation rather than a fixed schedule. That gives builders and enterprises an economic model they can forecast and verify, with costs and incentives that are driven by what happens on-chain and remain fully visible over time.

With the updated VET and VTHO MiCA whitepapers now formally accepted to include Hayabusa, the upgrade is fully captured in the same regulatory documents that define VeChain’s token model in Europe. By setting Hayabusa within MiCA and coordinating the hard fork with major exchanges, VeChain turns compliance into a launchpad for scale. Institutions gain a network whose rules are written down in a framework they recognize. Builders and brands gain infrastructure they can take from pilot to production, confident it meets the standards expected of systems built for mass adoption and real-world impact.

Why This Really Matters

Hayabusa enhances how VeChain integrates with institutions. It is a MiCA-aligned upgrade that unlocks a new layer of engagement for institutional partners. On top of that, it runs on a network that already supports global brands, public sector tools, and enterprise workloads. For decision makers who have been waiting for a blockchain they can integrate with, VeChain becomes a far easier answer.

For builders and brands, this creates room to think bigger. They can design services for millions of people, knowing the base layer has a documented token model, transparent governance, and a proven history of working alongside governments and global enterprises. Risk moves from “can we trust this network” to “what do we want to build on top of it.”

Hayabusa also strengthens the mission at the heart of VeChain. Our focus is to make positive actions proven, verifiable, and economically rewarding. Regulatory alignment turns that vision into something deployable at scale, giving institutions a trusted way to weave sustainability data and everyday behavior into the next generation of services, loyalty models, and financial instruments.

Ready for Institutions, Powered by You

Hayabusa delivers what this era demands: a protocol that institutions can trust, and builders can scale on, while inviting every VET holder to play a direct role in securing the network. With compliance by design, we clarify how value flows transparently on-chain, building a strong foundation for people, their communities, and the planet. The standard for mass adoption is now in place. What happens next depends on who chooses to help secure it.

Help secure an impact-driven network built for real-world adoption.

Download VeWorld and stake via StarGate now as we begin the next chapter of our Renaissance upgrades.

Michaël van de Poppe Joins VeChain’s Validator Program, Bringing Investor-Grade Insights to Hayabusa

We’re excited to share that Michaël van de Poppe, one of the most influential voices in global crypto and founder of a Venture Capital & registered Investment Fund, is joining VeChain as one of the newest participants in our upgraded Validator Program. His arrival follows the launch of StarGate alongside the Hayabusa upgrade, which modernized staking and opened the door for broader community and institutional participation in securing VeChainThor.

At VeChain, we align with voices who understand real-world blockchain utility and share our commitment to sustainability and practical adoption. Michaël’s background as a professional trader and educator, his tenure publishing market analysis, and his long track record of breaking down complex macro topics make him a natural fit to help us expand the validator ecosystem in a way that resonates with both crypto natives and traditional investors.

Network effects and growth vectors

Michaël brings a rare blend of credibility, clarity, and investor reach. His work has helped many people approach digital assets with discipline, risk frameworks, and a macro lens.

By operating a network Validator and producing transparent, educational content that explains how this infrastructural backbone supports security, operations, and decentralization, he will help more investors understand the fundamentals behind VeChain’s technology and incentives. This is precisely the kind of accessible communication that accelerates mainstream comprehension and adoption.

Expanding awareness beyond VeFam

Michaël’s participation strengthens two critical growth vectors. First, he helps translate Hayabusa and StarGate into investor-grade narratives that show how staking, delegation, and Validator economics actually work on VeChainThor.

Second, he extends our message to new audiences across YouTube and professional investor communities, spotlighting the real-world utility, sustainability outcomes, and partner ecosystem building on VeChain.

A program built for participation

Following Hayabusa, becoming a Validator is straightforward through StarGate. Individuals, institutions, and enterprise builders can apply, help secure the VeChainThor blockchain, and earn VTHO for supporting network operations. Validators set up a machine and signing key, select a validation period of 7, 15, or 30 days, and meet the minimum self-stake requirement of 25 million VET. When a Validator accepts delegations, rewards are shared programmatically between the Validator and delegators. StarGate’s NFT-based staking model ensures users maintain on-chain ownership while delegating to Validators they trust.

Michaël is among a wave of new Validators helping usher in a more open, decentralized, and educational era for VeChain. Together, this cohort reflects the spirit of Hayabusa and our broader Renaissance roadmap, where participation, transparency, and measurable impact take center stage.

We look forward to introducing more Validators soon.

Validators of VeChainThor

The Validator Program is open to everyone. Whether you are a community member, an institution, or an enterprise builder, you can help secure the VeChainThor network and play an active role in its long-term growth.

At a glance

Role Maintain network integrity, support consensus, and contribute to ecosystem resilience while creating blocks and earning rewards.

Access Apply and manage participation through StarGate, VeChain’s next-generation staking platform launched in the Hayabusa phase.

Mechanics Stake VET to mint a staking NFT, delegate to Validators, and earn VTHO with transparent, programmatic reward distribution.

Requirements Minimum Validator self-stake of 25,000,000 VET and selectable validation periods of 7, 15, or 30 days.

Delegation economics With delegation enabled, 70% of rewards are shared with delegators and 30% go to the validator.

Those who meet the technical and collateral requirements are welcome to join a growing network of mission-aligned participants committed to real-world blockchain adoption. Visit StarGate for details and onboarding guidance — linked here.

About Michaël

Michaël van de Poppe, a 32-year-old economist, crypto expert, and entrepreneur from the Netherlands, began his crypto journey 8 years ago in February 2017 when a friend introduced him to Bitcoin and altcoins. Fascinated by the potential of blockchain to transform the financial world, he invested in his first altcoin. Since the beginning of 2018, Michaël started working full time in the Web3 sector when he launched his first crypto educational company which he scaled to 18 people.

In November 2023, he took his company to the next level by launching MN Consultancy, MN Capital and MVP Marketing & Social Media. MN Consultancy evolved in 2025 into MN Fund, an investment fund registered with the Dutch Financial Authorities that focuses on volatility trading and OTCs. MN Capital is a Venture Capital that invests in and advises early-stage Web3 projects with the goal of accelerating blockchain adoption. MVP Marketing & Social Media manages Michaëls social media channels which are utilized to create support and reach for Web3 projects with strategic branding and community building, and also produces the New Era Finance Podcast, where Michaël hosts in-depth conversations on crypto, finance, and the future of the economy.

Michaël van de Poppe, Founder & CIO of MN Capital & MN Fund

Blockchains looking to build applications for the real economy ultimately face the same question: will your technology be able to handle its many demands?

Following the seamless launch of Hayabusa, we at VeChain make our position known: A resounding — YES!

Validators and Delegators sit at the center of VeChain’s new consensus, forging a symbiotic relationship that mine blocks and secures the network in exchange for rewards.

Institutional actors — some of the most important players in the crypto sector — are key to this new phase of VeChainThor, integrating infrastructural tools, products and services, while running and maintaining Validators at the heart of the network.

What is emerging is a fortified foundation, ready to deliver scalable adoption of blockchain from a battle-tested, proven technology layer.

With the community now able to actively delegate to, and earn rewards from, these actors — the next question for VET holders is simple: which operator will earn their stake for the long-term?

Below, we highlight some of the currently announced institutional Validators vying for your collateral. We look forward to introducing more over the coming weeks and months!

Meria: regulated European staking specialist

Meria is a specialist in staking and infrastructure, with its entire business focused on running validators. Founded in 2017 in Metz, France, it has grown from the “Just Mining” brand into a fully-fledged, institutional-grade platform that operates validators across multiple networks.

Today, Meria supports a large and growing user base and manages hundreds of millions of euros in assets, with a team of dedicated professionals focused on staking, custody, and on-chain services. It is registered with the French AMF as a Digital Asset Service Provider, making it one of the first regulated crypto platforms in France.

For a VET holder, that combination of regulation, scale, and validator focus is the key point. Meria’s core business is running validators and protecting delegated assets at scale, which is exactly the kind of profile you want inside VeChain’s institutional foundation.

Keyrock: seasoned builder of tokenized markets

Keyrock has been building digital asset market infrastructure since 2017, when it was founded in Brussels to focus on market making, OTC, and options trading for digital assets. Over the years, it has grown from a small trading firm into a global player with dedicated systems and teams for tokenized markets.

Today, Keyrock provides liquidity to more than 85 centralized and decentralized venues worldwide. Its team of around 170 professionals operates across 37 countries, with entities in Belgium, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, and the United States.

For VET holders, that footprint is the key signal. A global, well-resourced market infrastructure provider with years of operating history and a presence in major financial hubs has chosen to help validate VeChain, treating the network as part of the same critical stack as the markets it serves.

Draper Dragon: long-horizon venture capital

Draper Dragon is a cross-border venture fund that has been investing in founders since 2006. It focuses on early-stage companies at the forefront of Web3 and emerging technologies, with a presence across Silicon Valley, Asia, and other key innovation hubs.

As part of the wider Draper ecosystem, Draper Dragon draws on two decades of venture experience and a track record that includes multiple technology unicorns and major infrastructure plays. It understands which technologies endure and how to support them as they grow from early concepts to long-term infrastructure.

By appearing in VeChain’s validator set, Draper Dragon is not just an early backer watching from a distance. It is aligning its brand and reputation with VeChain’s consensus layer. For VET holders, that is a clear signal of long-term confidence in the network and a strong reason to consider it as a destination for delegation.

Fenbushi Capital: Asia’s pioneering Web3 asset manager

Fenbushi Capital positions itself as Asia’s pioneering Web3-focused asset management firm. Established in 2015, it manages a multi-billion-dollar asset base dedicated to blockchain and Web3.

The firm is known for its early support of Ethereum and now holds a global portfolio of hundreds of companies, including many of the industry’s core infrastructure leaders. Fenbushi consistently backs foundational technologies that sit at the base of the ecosystem rather than short-lived applications at the edge.

Its mission is to support startups, drive industry growth, and help shape the future of blockchain technology through research and investment. For VET holders, that boils down to a simple point. A large, research-driven, infrastructure-focused asset manager has chosen to help secure VeChain in the Hayabusa era. That is exactly the kind of institution you want as part of the network’s security.

You are the backbone

Step back for a moment and recognize the pattern. A regulated European staking provider with a business built on validators. A seasoned builder of tokenized markets. Long-horizon venture capital and a pioneering Web3 asset manager that has spent years backing core infrastructure across the industry.

Together, they are more than names on a page; they are key forces behind VeChain’s Hayabusa era, carrying the economic weight of the network so builders, enterprises, and public sector partners can rely on it.

Yet this role is not only reserved for institutions. In our Delegated-Proof-of-Stake model, you are an essential part of the structure. By claiming a StarGate NFT, staking your VET, and delegating to Validators, you decide which of these institutions carries more of the load.

Your choices shape the distribution of stake, the level of decentralization, and earn a share of block production rewards while contributing directly to the security and resilience of the chain.

Go to StarGate, stake your VET, and choose your Validator.

In doing so, you stand alongside some of the industry’s strongest institutional partners and help build the sustainable, real-world ready backbone that Hayabusa was designed to deliver.

Keep building!

#VET #Hayabusa

Today, we kicked off a defining moment in the evolution of the VeChainThor protocol, and further bolstered the resilience and credibility of the blockchain. Alongside the official, full launch of the Hayabusa upgrade and the DPoS consensus mechanism, VeChain is excited to welcome two globally respected venture leaders — Draper Dragon and Fenbushi Capital — as new strategic validators on the VeChainThor blockchain.

This development represents far more than ecosystem expansion. It signals a clear and public endorsement from prominent financial institutions that have shaped the crypto sector for over a decade. Their participation reinforces VeChain’s standing as one of the most trusted, secure, and enterprise-ready Layer 1 platforms in the industry.

Institutional Validators Signal Maturity and Trust

In a landscape crowded with experimental networks and speculative ecosystems, VeChain has maintained a distinct focus: delivering blockchain infrastructure capable of solving real economic problems.

Validators play a central role in demonstrating network credibility, and the arrival of Draper Dragon and Fenbushi Capital underscores VeChain’s growing influence among leaders who understand what long-term blockchain success requires — stability, governance, enterprise alignment, and measurable impact.

These firms are not just investors or casual participants. They are industry pioneers with proven track records in backing transformative technologies. Their decision to join VeChain’s Validator community reflects a conviction in the network’s architecture, governance model, and trajectory.

“Joining the VeChain Validator Program reflects our confidence in a network built for real economic impact,” said Andy Tang, founding partner at Draper Dragon. “VeChain’s focus on scalable, enterprise-grade adoption aligns with our long-term investment philosophy.”

Fenbushi Capital, recognized as Asia’s first and most active blockchain-focused venture fund, shares this perspective. “VeChain continues to demonstrate how blockchain can deliver practical value at global scale,” noted Bo Shen, founding partner at Fenbushi Capital. “Participating in their future as a validator reinforces our belief in its technology, its ecosystem, and its vision for the future.”

Strengthened Governance to Meet Professional Needs

VeChain’s governance approach has long set it apart from other blockchains. Rather than relying on anonymous or unpredictable participants, VeChain has intentionally built a validator ecosystem anchored by reputable organizations capable of supporting mission-critical applications.

The addition of Draper Dragon and Fenbushi Capital bolsters this model. Institutional validators provide a level of accountability, operational rigor, and strategic perspective that aligns with the expectations of enterprises and government partners exploring blockchain adoption.

Their involvement expands a validator set that now includes around 19 participants through Redeno’s staking service, each contributing to the resilience and credibility of the network.

Hayabusa: A Technical Leap

The timing of this institutional participation is noteworthy. VeChain’s newly launched Hayabusa upgrade enhances consensus efficiency and positions the VeChainThor blockchain for the next chapter of global-scale utility.

Hayabusa strengthens performance, economic sustainability, and long-term scalability — capabilities essential for sectors such as sustainability, digital product passports, asset tokenization, and digital transformation.

In short, VeChain now pairs proven, production-ready technology with institutional-grade validation, sending a powerful signal to enterprises looking for a blockchain infrastructure they can depend on.

As VeChain CEO Sunny Lu remarked, “Hayabusa represents a forward step for the VeChainThor blockchain and the growing ecosystem that depends on it. Welcoming Draper Funds and Fenbushi Capital as validators reinforces the strength of our governance model and the confidence leading institutions have in VeChain’s long-term vision.”

A Message to the Industry: VeChain Is for the Real World

Many blockchains claim utility, but few have earned the confidence of institutions who specialize in identifying durable technology platforms. With Hayabusa live and world-class validators joining the network, VeChain further distinguishes itself as a blockchain built not for speculation, but for real, measurable adoption.

Enterprise leaders require reliability, performance, and trusted governance. The arrival of Draper Dragon and Fenbushi Capital sends a clear message: VeChain meets that standard.

About VeChain

VeChain is a leading enterprise-grade Layer 1 blockchain platform focused on driving real-world adoption across sustainability, supply chain, tokenization, and digital transformation. Through its dual-token system and advanced governance framework, VeChain delivers reliable, scalable, and secure infrastructure for organizations building meaningful and measurable solutions.

About Draper Dragon

DraperDragon is a cross-border venture fund backing visionary Web3 founders. Established in 2006 by Larry Li, Andy Tang, Bobby Chao, and Tim Draper, the firm operates globally across Silicon Valley, Toronto, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangalore. As part of the Draper Venture Network, it brings more than two decades of venture and startup expertise to breakthrough technologies.

About Fenbushi Capital

Fenbushi Capital is Asia’s first and most active blockchain-focused venture capital firm. Established in 2015, it has supported more than 300 leading projects globally across the blockchain ecosystem. For more information, connect via Twitter (@fenbushi).

Institution-Grade Confidence: Draper Dragon and Fenbushi Capital Join VeChain as Validators was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The announcement of ‘VeChain Renaissance’ launched a series of major upgrades for the VeChainThor protocol. From interoperability to security, tokenomics, rewards, tooling and more — the vision for these three upgrades was to deliver the highest quality Web3 environment, building on a decade of practical, real-world experience.

Following many months of intense technical work by the VeChain core developer team, we’re excited to share that Hayabusa — the second stage of the ambitious VeChain Renaissance technical roadmap — has now on mainnet, and begins its transition phase, due to end on 9th December, 2025.

Whether tokenization, luxury goods, sustainability or VeBetter apps — the VeChainThor blockchain is all about real world impact. Our bold vision is to become foundational infrastructure of the Web3 revolution, onboarding the next billion users and synchronizing people, data, digital assets, and incentives in real time.

Hayabusa is here — it’s time to unleash the future of VeChainThor!

Hayabusa: What to Know

Today, Validators began updating their node software, kicking off the process of merging Hayabusa with mainnet, or, the ‘transition phase’ — a seven day period for Validators to onboard, complete their first rewards cycle, and launch the new StarGate staking mechanics.

Once complete — from the 9th of December — users will be able to delegate any owned StarGate NFTs to Validators of their choosing, contributing to the security of the blockchain, and earning block rewards for the first time.

You can monitor the transition phase countdown, here.

To prepare yourself, you can:

Download the VeWorld wallet from app stores, or use the Chrome Extension

Send VET tokens to your VeWorld address, using exchanges, or a fiat on-ramp

Use the ‘Earn’ function in VeWorld to access StarGate and begin minting a Delegator NFT

From 9th December — delegate your Delegator NFT to a Validator

Earn block rewards!

StarGate 2.0 — Transition Period & Full Launch

Excitingly, the launch of Hayabusa on mainnet unlocks the full StarGate staking model, with the ‘Delegation’ feature now live. N.B.: You’ll need to wait until 9th December to choose your first Validator.

Hayabusa launches alongside an upgraded StarGate platform, with enhanced UI and user flows. Head over to stargate.vechain.org to check out the new platform and familiarise yourself, and start staking!

In this new paradigm of staking on VeChainThor, you’ll need to actively delegate to earn rewards, aligning users’ efforts with their impact on network security and overall decentralization. VET tokens will no longer generate VTHO by themselves. You must stake, and actively delegate your stake, to earn protocol rewards.

The new tokenomics under Hayabusa pools all protocol rewards among stakers, reducing idle VTHO generation — such as those generated in exchange wallets — and overall inflation, while significantly boosting benefits at the individual level. Hayabusa works for you.

Designed for Global-Scale Adoption

As with everything we build at VeChain, we understand that real-world results require more than just technical prowess. User-friendly features, and an attractive economic and developer environment are key to driving long term success.

Hayabusa’s mainnet launch brings with it a suite of features designed to offer a more aligned, economically attractive and user-centric environment

Predictable, delegated, low-cost fees powered by VeChain’s two-token model

Greater reward APYs, more rewarding for builders and developers

Superior economic security, powered by DPoS consensus

Greater decentralization and more direct governance impact from users

Lower VTHO inflation, more robust tokenomics

These capabilities make Hayabusa a powerful complement to the VeChainThor blockchain, enhancing its value proposition and ease of building as the world transitions to blockchain adoption en masse.

BUIDL Better

From VeBetter to enterprise apps, VeChainThor hosts some of the world’s most pioneering Web3 software, letting you turn your aspirations into reality.

From EVM alignment to common dev tools such as Hardhat, transaction programmability that enhances the builder experience, and in the next phase of VeChain renaissance, JSON RPC, that unlocks new tools and services across the crypto industry — VeChain Renaissance is a game changer for the protocol.

Whether your goal is to build a recycling automation business, leverage Marketplace as a Service to enhance your products, deliver sustainability reporting, or integrating product-passports, Hayabusa serves everyone.

If you’re a builder looking to get started on VeChain, check out our documentation:

Developer Resources & Tools: docs.vechain.org

VeBetter Grants: https://vebetter.com/grants

A Turning Point

VeChain’s mission has always been clear: use blockchain to create real utility, scalable impact, and positive outcomes for the world. The launch of Hayabusa pushes the protocol another step forward on that mission.

It strengthens the infrastructure that real world users trust. It empowers builders to innovate, and enables them with the right tools. It rewards active participation, and better aligns the needs of all stakeholders.

Importantly, it sets a standard for how blockchain systems can operate — transparent, data-driven, user-friendly and economically aligned with sustainability.

With the fast-evolving regulatory landscape, it’s clear that a new world of possibilities is fast approaching the crypto industry. With Hayabusa, we position ourselves confidently to take on the challenge of building functional infrastructure for that highly-connected, digital world.

Head over to StarGate and begin your journey into Hayabusa!

#VET #Hayabusa

Hayabusa Mainnet Goes Live: Foundations for the Tokenized Economy was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Our new economic model has a simple idea at its core: active participation should correlate with protocol rewards. In Hayabusa, this approach is a central tenet. VTHO is no longer generated idly, but instead, solely as the product of staked VET, rewarding those who actively contribute to the network’s economic security viaStarGate

Conversely, every time someone creates a transaction, they pay VTHO as gas, with the base fee 100% burned. Any ‘priority fee’ payments go straight to the Validator who mined the respective block. Block rewards for any given block are split between Validators and their Delegators, at a 30:70 ratio.

VeBetter complements this flywheel. It transforms everyday user actions, into on-chain transactions, consumes VTHO and gives circularity to the model. The more people act through VeBetter and other applications, the more demand for VTHO, and so, the more rewarding staking becomes.

and minting your StarGate staking NFT!Hayabusa will merge with the VeCainThor mainnet on Dec 2, 2025 — prepare yourself by downloadingVeWorld

Getting Paid to Participate

From a VET holder’s point of view, the process of benefiting from Hayabusa is simple:

You stake VET through StarGate and receive a staking NFT that represents your collateral. That NFT passes through a short maturity period, or you can use Boost to skip the wait by paying a fee in VTHO, which is then burned. Once the maturity period has passed and the NFT is eligible, you delegate it to a Validator, with Validator reward cycles operating in periods of 7, 15, or 30 days.

This ensures staking has a clear rhythm — a known cycle, and a defined moment when rewards are made available.

Delegator, Validator, or Non-stakers

You can breakdown the new economics into three simple roles:

Delegator (staked VET holder) If you hold VET and contribute your stake to a Validator, you are a Delegator. You earn VTHO only while your VET stake is delegated. Your share of rewards is calculated by your effective stake, which equals the amount of VET staked multiplied by your NFT tier multiplier. Rewards accrue during the Validator’s 7, 15 or 30-day period and become claimable at its end.

Validator Validators run VeChainThor’s critical infrastructure. In return, they receive 30 percent of block rewards plus 100 percent of any priority fees on blocks they produce. The remaining 70 percent of block rewards flows to Delegators, split by effective stake. Good uptime, clear communication, and fair commission rates make a Validator attractive to Delegators over time.

Non-staked VET holder If you hold VET but choose not to stake and delegate, you do not generate or earn VTHO after Hayabusa. You still have exposure to network upside, but you are not participating in the reward stream.

Earning VTHO rewards is no longer about simply owning VET. It is about being rewarded for your role in contributing to the security of our network.

How Rewards Arise

When a user interacts with an application and writes to the blockchain, they create transactions that require fees paid in VTHO. The base fee is burned permanently, and any priority fees are paid to the Validator who mined the respective block.

In the background, the protocol generates VTHO block rewards in a dynamic fashion, as a product of an issuance curve derived from total VET staked. Those rewards are split 70 percent to Delegators and 30 percent to the Validator which is distributed according to each participant’s effective stake. A new interconnected economic web where you and your stake play a central role.

From a Delegator’s perspective, rewards depend on three things:

How often your Validator mines a block

How much stake, and what combination of tiers, are delegated to that Validator

Total VET stake across the network

VTHO Issuance Becomes Dynamic

Under the old model, VTHO was generated continuously for all VET, regardless of whether it was actively securing the network or not. Hayabusa changes that.

Issuance now routes to Delegators and Validators only. In other words, VTHO is generated solely as a reward for those who commit stake and run or support Validators. At the same time, VeChain’s fee system burns the base fee of every transaction. As adoption grows, burn scales up and accelerates deflationary effects for VTHO.

The result is a cleaner balance between issuance and burn. More stake means more participants sharing the reward pool. More real-world usage increases burn and offsets issuance. Over time, this combination is designed to reduce inflation pressure and improve the quality of yield for active contributors, refining the network’s tokenomics and serving the needs of every stakeholder.

Staking Choices and Models

Hayabusa gives VET holders two main ways to participate in securing the network.

Running a validator This path suits participants who can manage infrastructure. Validators commit stake, maintain uptime and compete on performance and reputation. They earn a fixed share of block rewards and keep all priority fees from the blocks they propose.

Delegating stake Most holders will delegate. You stake through StarGate, choose a Validator, and your staking NFT does the heavy lifting behind the scenes. You do not manage servers. You simply monitor your Validator’s performance, renew or exit at the end of each period, and decide whether to claim or restake your rewards.

Tiers add another layer of choice. Higher tier NFTs apply higher multipliers to your staked VET, which increases your share of the reward pool at a given validator. For long term participants, tier strategy can become an important part of their approach.

Closing the Loop: Staking and VeBetter

VeBetter is where the economics of staking meet everyday life.

VeBetter applications let people earn from actions that are useful in the real world: wellness habits, sustainable choices, community tasks and more. Each verified action becomes an on-chain transaction. That transaction consumes VTHO gas. The base fee burns and then the transaction is packaged into a block that helps generate the reward stream for validators and delegators.

If you stake and delegate, you participate in this flow. As VeBetter grows, as more brands and communities build into it, the volume of these actions increases. That means more transactions, more burn, and a stronger foundation for staking rewards.

Join A Global Movement

Getting involved with Hayabusa, Staking and VeBetter is simple — all thanks to our official wallet, VeWorld.

and secure your VET.Download VeWorld

and enjoy boosted rewards as Hayabusa approaches.Stake through StarGate

and see how your actions and the network’s activity flow into the same reward stream. Have you used a reusable coffee mug today?Try a VeBetter application

Stake, act and build with us, and help VeChain turn today’s sustainable choices into the foundation of tomorrow’s economy.

VeChain has entered a strategic partnership with Rekord to accelerate the next phase of tokenization infrastructure for Real-World Assets (RWAs).

This partnership brings together VeChain’s battle-tested, energy-efficient blockchain with Rekord’s API-first trust layer, which makes data streams tamper-proof with minimal integration effort. Enterprises will be able to secure logs, documents, and product events on-chain without changing user experience or rebuilding core systems.

For VeChain, this collaboration extends an established role at the heart of supply chain transparency, product authentication, and sustainability reporting. For Rekord, VeChain is the preferred public blockchain infrastructure partner, giving customers a proven, enterprise-focused network for high-value, regulated use cases.

Digital Product Passports and regulatory readiness

In Europe, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will introduce Digital Product Passports (DPPs), which will tie product data directly to compliance, sustainability, and delivering the circular economy.

Working together, VeChain and Rekord will provide the underlying infrastructure that lets manufacturers and brands:

Capture and verify critical product and process data at source using Rekord’s trust layer

Anchor proofs on VeChainThor, creating permanent, independently verifiable records

Prepare for emerging DPP, sustainability, and supply chain rules without disrupting existing workflows

Rekord’s V1 API is already activated in production with full multi-chain support, and the team has successfully pushed its first live transactions to the VeChain network. This gives joint customers an immediate way to connect existing systems and devices to an enterprise-ready blockchain backend.

A Timely Opportunity for Compliant Infrastructure

With large businesses required to meet ESPR mandates from 2026, the timing is ideal, as blockchain enters the mainstream economy and connects the emerging technology to the growing needs of the real-world economy.

VeChain’s advanced technical infrastructure makes its blockchain a natural fit for enterprise-grade DPPs, built for scale, sustainability, and long-term regulatory readiness. Rekord’s DPP-as-a-service builds on VeChain’s established role in supply chain transparency and extends it into integrated sustainability reporting for one of the world’s most advanced economic regions.

What comes next is the tokenization and digitization of products entering the European Union to comply with real regulatory needs — a vision we have been building on since launch. The true embodiment of Real-World Assets (RWAs), driving actual value on-chain.

About VeChain

VeChain, founded in 2015, is a purpose-built Layer 1 public blockchain for real-world impact. It combines enterprise-grade infrastructure, a dual token model, and predictable transaction costs to support applications in supply chain transparency, tokenization, and sustainability. With over 5 million users and more than 350 applications built on VeChainThor, global brands and builders use VeChain to anchor verifiable data, unlock circular business models, and bring Web3 to everyday users.

For more information, visit https://vechain.org

About Rekord

Rekord is the Trust Layer for Real World Assets. Its mission is to make data verifiable, interoperable, and trusted across industries, turning any log, event, or document into tamper-proof, audit-ready evidence. Rekord provides a production-ready platform used for automation, traceability, and sustainability solutions, establishing the standard for verifiable enterprise data at scale.

For more information, visit https://rekord.io

Statement on tokenomics adjustment for interested parties: As part of the Hayabusa Upgrade — phase 2 of VeChain Renaissance — VTHO generation is moving from a fixed schedule to a dynamic model tied to user participation, with issuance becoming a function of total VET staked. Below are the before and after figures:

Before Hayabusa

Static generation rate: 5 × 10⁻⁹ VTHO per VET per second

Daily per VET guide: ≈ 0.000432 VTHO

Network annual issuance: ≈ 13.7B VTHO

After Hayabusa

Issuance is dynamic and depends on total VET staked across the network.

Example outcomes:

2.525B VET staked (2.61% total supply) → ~3.86B VTHO per year (21.87% current VTHO inflation)

Up to 60B VET staked (75% total supply) → ~19B VTHO per year (138.6% current VTHO inflation)

What does this mean?

This change rewards active contributors and strengthens decentralization. It also ensures more effective VTHO distribution, with it flowing only to staked VET, while backing Validators and helping secure the chain. The tokenomics adjustements unlock three key benefits:

Fairness: Rewards follow real participation rather than being generated among idle tokens.

Security and resilience: more staking and delegation support a healthier validator set, and increase economic security of the network.

Stakeholder alignment: issuance reflects network use and community commitment, creating a clearer link between value earned and value provided, while ensuring all parties benefit from the network.

In short, the model encourages everyone to play a role in VeChain’s security and long-term growth.

Transition timeline

Testnet: Successfully transitioned from PoA to DPoS on November 11, 2025.

Mainnet: Activation begins on December 2, 2025.

The transition period runs from December 2 to December 9, 2025. No VTHO is issued during this initial 7 day rewards cycle. After the transition period, the new dynamic issuance model is fully live.

What to do now — everyone

Download VeWorld, our super app designed to make staking simple and secure.

If you already hold $VET, open StarGate via the ‘Earn’ tab on the VeWorld home screen and start staking to earn VTHO rewards today.

Don’t have $VET yet? You can easily acquire it on major exchanges or buy directly in VeWorld. Join the program ahead of Hayabusa meeting mainnet to be prepared ahead of launch.

What to do now — for developers

Access StarGate testnet to try the new delegator and validator flows and share feedback.

Testnet app

Try find bugs as part of the Immunefi program and earn rewards

True decentralization is not leaderless, it’s leader-proof.

When we launched the VeChainThor mainnet in 2018, it came with a powerful message: ‘The Power for change is in your hands”.

True to that original vision, the upcoming Hayabusa upgrade brings changes that place you at the core of the blockchain, empowering and rewarding participation like never before.

One key change is to VeChainThor’s consensus mechanism — migrating from Proof of Authority (PoA) to Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS). This major update will fuel VeChain’s next phase of growth without compromising the predictable costs and features that real world users rely on.

This update transforms every VET holder into an active cooperant, turning user participation into shared, sustainable value creation — aligned by the common goal of long term growth and success.

TL;DR — What’s Happening

VeChainThor is moving from Proof of Authority (PoA) to Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS).

Anyone with VET can participate by staking and delegating to Validators.

VTHO rewards become dynamic, meaning only staked VET earns VTHO via protocol block rewards.

Security and decentralization increase while predictable fees remain.

PoA helped VeChainThor deliver enterprise-grade reliability and 100% uptime since launch. As VeChain’s ecosystem and macro regulatory environments have matured, three priorities emerged:ay updated and what to do when Hayabusa arrives!s

Why change consensus?

PoA helped VeChainThor deliver enterprise-grade reliability and 100% uptime since launch. As VeChain’s ecosystem and macro regulatory environment have matured, three priorities emerged:

Scalability with decentralization: Expanding the Validator pool and decentralizing the chain, while keeping operational reliability high.

Security via ‘skin in the game’: Raising the cost of attacks by tying consensus to stake.

Aligned incentives: Direct and greater protocol rewards to active participants who contribute to security and performance.

DPoS meets these goals by making stake the backbone of consensus and rewards.

What DPoS means for VeChain

DPoS involves two kinds of participants: Delegators and Validators. Delegators are VET holders who stake their VET, and mint a StarGate NFT. They then choose one or more Validators to support by delegating their stake. You can move, renew, or withdraw your stake according to StarGate’s rules and the Validator’s performance. Validators run the servers that produce and finalize blocks — and the Validator pool competes for Delegators on the back of their uptime, transparency, responsiveness, and community trust.

A Validator’s chance to produce the next block is a function of total VET delegated by Delegators — E.g., their ‘weighted stake’. Reliable teams attract delegations; weak ones lose them. Clear economic and reputational incentives keep validators online and compliant.

In this model, VeThor (VTHO) generation is dynamic. Only staked VET earns VTHO, paid as protocol block rewards to Validators and then shared with their Delegators in a 70:30 ratio. Rewards are tied to securing the network, not idling VET balances, preventing inflation in exchange wallets, for example.

From PoA to DPoS — what changes for you?

Whether you hold VET, run infrastructure, or build applications, DPoS changes how you participate without adding complexity. Token holders gain a direct role in security and rewards, Node operators compete on performance and trust, while businesses and builders keep the predictable costs that make consumer-grade experiences possible.

If you hold VET, you can take an active role in security by staking and delegating one or more Validators, earning VTHO directly from protocol block rewards. Choice matters: uptime, transparency, community presence and a proven track record are signals Delegators can watch.

If you plan to run blockchain infrastructure, you can become a Validator by meeting technical requirements and owning a minimum of 25 M VET. You’ll need to deliver high uptime (e.g., 99.9%+), 24/7 monitoring, and ideally, engage with your Delegators. It’s a performance business; Delegators can and do move, so reliability and communication are essential.

If you build applications or run enterprise workloads, fees stay predictable, and the developer’s experience remains familiar. StarGate and VeWorld streamline staking, delegation, renewal, exit, and withdrawal into a single, simple journey and creates a cohesive access point for applications on the network.

The Role of a Validator

Infrastructure Prospective validators need to meet technical criteria (hardware, networking, monitoring, key management) and register on-chain via StarGate. They can self-bond the required VET collateral (25M) and seek Delegators to increase their total weighted stake.

Operations Validators must maintain high uptime, keep nodes up to date, and follow upgrade procedures. They publish clear information so delegators can evaluate them.

Competition Because selection is stake-weighted and visible, Validators succeed by communicating performance, offering transparent terms, and engaging with their communities. It’s a winner-takes-all approach (up until the Validator weighting limit of 600M VET, that is).

Retention If a validator underperforms, Delegators can redelegate. If stake falls or issues persist, the validator can be cycled out of the active set. This market-style pressure drives reliability over time.

Rewards: How VTHO Flows in DPoS

Currently, VTHO is generated anywhere a VET token is held. Under DPoS, only staked VET earns rewards, which the protocol pays out as block rewards to Validators who then share with their delegators according to on-chain rules. This increases per Node rewards considerably, by condensing the rewards pool to active participants only.

This ties rewards to actual security work, lessening inflationary pressures, and lets VTHO burn scale naturally with real usage while fees remain predictable. Staking today positions you to earn staking-based rewards as Hayabusa mainnet approaches.

Builders, Businesses & Developers

VeChain’s hallmark of low, predictable fees is maintained, along with fee sponsorship, multitask transactions, EVM tooling, and the upcoming JSON RPC integration that vastly simplifies integrations/porting/interoperability.

Operations remain audit friendly, with established institutional Validators and community operators reinforcing uptime targets, monitoring, and incident response. In short, your existing integrations continue to work while the security model strengthens, and community participation broadens.

Migration notes for Legacy Node holders

If you hold a legacy X or Economic Node:

Migrate now! Earn boosted rewards and join StarGate by following the steps on stargate.vechain.org

Your participation style shifts from passive (holding VET) to active (staking VET).

At Hayabusa’s mainnet launch you will have direct influence over consensus security and a clear rewards path tied to activity.

FAQs

Do I have to run a node to earn rewards? No. You can stake and delegate your VET to one or more validators through StarGate and earn protocol rewards without running infrastructure.

Does the two-token model still deliver predictable for enterprises & apps? Yes. Predictable, low transaction costs remain a core design tenet. DPoS enhances security without sacrificing fee stability.

What happens if my selected validator goes down? Underperforming validators produce fewer blocks and thus fewer rewards. You can redelegate your VET to better operators according to the platform’s rules.

Does this make VeChain “more decentralized”? Yes. Security is powered by every VET holder, KYC is entirely removed, and anyone can now become a Validator with the requisite VET collateral.

Can I delegate to multiple validators? Yes. Delegators can split their stake across several validators to diversify and support decentralization. Each Delegator Node is assiged to a Validator individually.

How are rewards distributed? VeThor (VTHO) is generated dynamically and distributed via protocol block rewards to validators, who share with delegators based on stake and onchain mechanics.

What to do now?

Open VeWorld, tap Earn to access StarGate, stake your VET and mint a staking NFT of your choosing.

You will be able to delegate to a Validator when mainnet launches; until then, turn on push notifications and stay up to date!

Stake now to earn boosted rewards as Hayabusa approaches.

From PoA to DPoS: A Network Powered by You was originally published in VeChain on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The name Hayabusa was chosen carefully. Like the Japanese spacecraft that overcame daunting challenges to deliver asteroid samples back to Earth, VeChain undertook this phase of the Renaissance to unlock radical improvements; empowering people, reinvigorating our tokenomics and unlocking the next phase of growth for the VeChainThor protocol. Precision. Endurance. Continuous iteration. Our guiding philosophies.

Hayabusa is the eighth hard fork in VeChain’s history, and the product of sustained engineering and careful testing. It prepares the network for a future that better aligns values across every stakeholder, rebuilding the engine that, to date, has delivered the most results in terms of real-world utility for blockchain and 100% uptime since launch in 2017.

Two protocol upgrades define Hayabusa, the second of VeChain Renaissance’s three phases.

The transition to Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) sees every VET holder become an integral cog in the machine — helping secure VeChainThor by staking and delegating their collateral in exchange for protocol-level rewards. Additionally, we are embracing a dynamic rewards model in which VTHO generation is tied to staked VET, distributed through block rewards from the protocol to those who help secure the network.

These changes upgrade our economic model, reducing VTHO inflation while actively increasing economic security. As activity grows, more VTHO is burned; more value is accrued at the protocol level, and transaction costs remain predictable for builders and partners.

In this article we explain what is changing, why it matters and how to prepare as activation approaches.

What Is Changing

Hayabusa reshapes two core elements of VeChainThor.

Firstly, consensus. With DPoS, VET holders (Delegators) can stake their tokens and delegate them to Validators — the backbone of the network. Total weighted stake helps determine who produces blocks — more VET delegated = greater overall likelihood of being the next block producer.

With this shift, the Validator set becomes dynamic and performance driven rather than probabilistic, with operators competing on uptime, transparency, and service. This expands decentralization, enables community growth, and raises the cost of attacks considerably — enhancing network security.

Secondly, tokenomics. VTHO generation becomes a function of staked VET, distributed through block rewards to those who secure the network. Rewards move closer to measurable activity; idle VTHO generation is eliminated, and deflationary pressures decrease. VTHO issuance, at launch, will shrink to ~60/70% of current levels, with users, builders, and partners continuing to benefit from low, predictable transaction costs while benefits increase among active participants.

Together, these changes accrue to create a stronger foundation for utility, growth, and value creation.

Unlocking VeChainThor’s Potential

Growth is a byproduct of ease, connectedness, and interoperability. Hayabusa moves VeChain to a state that welcomes seamless cross-chain collaboration, while enhancing the differentiating factors that make the blockchain unique in today’s market. JSON RPC and full EVM equivalence enhance developer readiness, while tools like VeChainKit, VeWorld, and thorough documentation shorten the distance from prototype to production.

Enterprises gain reliability at scale without adding complexity for customers. Third-party fee delegation and multi-task transactions help teams ship consumer-grade experiences while back-office systems benefit from clear, auditable processes. Operational efficiency improves, while deterministic execution lowers friction.

StarGate sits at the center of this experience, representing a bold departure from what was. The entry point for participation, StarGate connects the economics of Hayabusa with a clear user path, so activity can scale without adding complexity.

Interoperability remains strategic. It connects our mission to global movements in tokenization, sustainability reporting, and digital transformation. By making VeChain easier to build on and easier to integrate, Hayabusa sets the stage for durable adoption.

Participation and Governance

The move from Proof of Authority to DPoS broadens participation in meaningful ways. Every VET holder can now help secure and guide the network by staking their tokens. Performance and reputation matter in this new epoch. Validators compete to earn and retain delegations by operating transparently, maintaining high standards, and actively engaging their communities.

This structure improves accountability and resilience. More stake behind consensus raises cryptoeconomic security. A dynamic validator set adapts to the needs of the network. Individuals gain a direct role in stewardship while enterprises retain the predictable cost model required for production systems.

The result is a governance framework designed for scale, long-term health, and sustainable value creation.

Alignment of Stakeholders

Hayabusa aligns incentives across the ecosystem, with growth reinforcing growth.

Enterprises benefit from stable fees. Applications become easier to deploy and maintain across existing processes. Validators and Delegators earn rewards that track real activity. VTHO is generated dynamically and distributed to those who secure the chain. As on-chain usage increases, VTHO burn increases. The loop between participation and measurable outcomes becomes tangible.

Builders can ship faster on a predictable, value-accelerating platform. Familiar tooling, sponsored gas options, and reliable costs help applications reach mainstream users with a simple and familiar user experience (UX).

These dynamics strengthen one another. Useful applications drive transactions. Transactions drive VTHO burn and user rewards. Greater rewards attract more staking. More staking increases security and confidence for the next wave of deployments.

Trust, Compliance, and Institutional Backbone

Adoption requires trust. Hayabusa advances VeChain’s readiness for evolving regulation and mainstream technology requirements.

The shift to DPoS makes participation rules transparent and auditable. Greater decentralization ensures VeChainThor meets the standards necessitated. Stake determines representation. The VeBetter app ecosystem shows how open participation and accountability can operate side by side.

VeChain aligns with European and wider global regulation, including MiCA. VeChain and VeBetter’s whitepapers are confirmed and listed in ESMA’s interim MiCA register. For businesses and users alike, this means traceable records, predictable costs, and reporting that maps to ESG and compliance needs. For institutions, it means clearer risk models and integration paths that respect custody, audit, and oversight.

Scale also depends on robust operations. Institutional validators and infrastructure providers such as BitGo, Redeno and Keyrock bring experience in custody, key management, monitoring, and incident response. Uptime targets, controlled change management, and well-defined recovery procedures create confidence for larger deployments. Community validators and institutional operators together widen the base of security and resilience.

How to Get Involved

Participation is central to this phase. Hayabusa opens staking to every VET holder through DPoS, and StarGate is the gateway. It provides a clear flow to stake or delegate and to monitor rewards tied to real activity when activation begins.

Keep an eye on VeChain channels over the coming weeks — everything you need to know about this next phase of the Renaissance upgrades will be shared, including how to make the most of staking through StarGate.

Go to StarGate now, stake your VET, and enjoy boosted rewards. When Hayabusa meets mainnet in December, you’ll be ready to experience the full, final user flow, full Validator/Delegator model, and experience the future of turbocharged tokenomics on VeChain.

Imagine a thriving beehive. Every bee has a role, and together they form one of nature’s most efficient systems. The hive provides structure and stability. The bees’ collective effort fuels activity, gathering nectar that sustains their community. Through pollination, they give back to the wider environment, creating the conditions that allow the hive and everything around it to grow stronger.

VeChain’s three-token economy functions much like this hive. Each component plays a distinct role but contributes to a single, regenerative cycle of utility, reward, and renewal.

$VET provides the foundation that secures and governs the network.

$VTHO powers every movement, acting as the energy consumed in daily operations.

$B3TR transforms productive actions into new growth, extending the benefits of the system to the broader ecosystem.

These tokens form a circular economy where participation fuels progress and progress strengthens value. It is a model designed not only to sustain itself but to reward every positive action that contributes to the whole. Here’s how that system works in practice.

$VET: The Hive That Secures the Network

$VET is the foundation of the VeChain ecosystem. It provides the structure and security that keeps everything organized and running smoothly, much like the hive itself. When users stake their $VET through StarGate, they help secure the network and earn $VTHO as a reward. Staking also enables participation in VeChain’s governance system, giving users a voice in shaping the network’s direction.

There are 85.98 billion $VET in circulation out of a total lifetime cap of 86.71 billion, ensuring transparency and a predictable economic model. In simple terms, $VET represents trust and stability. It is the structure that allows the rest of the system to flourish.

$VTHO: The Energy That Keeps Everything Moving

If $VET is the hive, $VTHO is the energy that keeps it alive. Every transaction on the VeChainThor blockchain consumes $VTHO. It acts as the gas that powers the network’s activity, ensuring efficiency and stability across all applications.

With the Hayabusa upgrade, 100% of all transaction fees will be burned, which means each time the network is used, a small amount of $VTHO is permanently removed from circulation. This process reduces supply over time and ties the token value directly to network activity. The more the ecosystem is used, the more $VTHO becomes scarce, creating a natural balance between activity and value.

$B3TR: The Reward That Sustains Growth

$B3TR connects blockchain activity to real-world impact. It powers the VeBetter ecosystem, where individuals and organizations are rewarded for sustainable and positive behaviors. From improving personal well-being to adopting eco-friendly habits, every measurable action can earn $B3TR rewards.

Earning $B3TR consumes $VTHO, creating a seamless connection between sustainable behavior, on-chain activity, and value creation. This means that once you record your action, you get $B3TR rewards.

$VTHO does all the work in between for you and gets burned in the process. It is in this frictionless link between real-world actions and digital rewards that participation in the ecosystem becomes both purposeful and engaging.

In the bee analogy, $B3TR represents pollination. It is the process that spreads value outward, renewing the system with every interaction, and ensuring that positive actions benefit both the network and the environment around it.

How the Hive is Becoming Stronger

In nature, a hive begins with activity everywhere. Each bee works to gather energy, building the foundation for the colony to grow. Over time, as the hive expands, the bees adapt. They organize, specialize, and refine how they use their energy. By focusing their efforts, the hive becomes more efficient, using fewer resources to create even greater strength.

VeChain’s ecosystem has followed a similar path. In its early stage, every $VET holder generated $VTHO automatically, keeping the network supplied with the energy needed for transactions. This ensured steady activity, helping the system grow and mature.

Now, as the network enters its next phase of evolution, it is becoming more refined. Through the upcoming Hayabusa phase, part of VeChain’s broader Renaissance upgrades, $VTHO generation will shift to only those who stake their $VET through StarGate. This new structure focuses the system’s energy, reducing $VTHO inflation by up to 72.2% and rewarding those who actively support network security and participation.

At the same time, 100% of $VTHO used in transactions will continue to be burned, connecting network activity directly to scarcity. As adoption increases, each use of the blockchain strengthens its economy through real utility and measurable impact.

Buzzing with Activity

Across the network, legacy node holders are migrating to Stargate, preparing for the Hayabusa phase and enjoying the boosted rewards that come with it. The system is alive with activity, each participant strengthening the network as we move toward the next chapter of VeChain’s evolution.

More than 13,000 nodes have already been minted, with over 6 billion $VET staked through Stargate. If you have not yet claimed a node, now is the time to get involved. By staking your $VET through Stargate, you can begin earning $VTHO fuel and take part in the next era of VeChain’s growth. By claiming a node now, you can earn boosted rewards as we move closer to the Hayabusa phase.

Join the buzz and be part of the hive at Stargate.

Sustainable Action in Motion

Beyond the blockchain, the VeBetter ecosystem continues to grow rapidly. Over 5 million users are already earning $B3TR by completing real-world sustainable actions that create measurable environmental and social impact. From taking a photo of your re-usable mug to charging your electric car, these actions prove that positive behavior can drive value for both individuals and the planet. You can now start earning $B3TR directly through the VeWorld wallet, the gateway to our growing ecosystem of sustainable applications.

Be the pollination, earn $B3TR, and help make the VeWorld a VeBetter place.

Understanding The VeChain Ecosystem Token Flywheel was originally published in VeChain on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

We are thrilled to announce that VeBetter’s native token, $B3TR, has been confirmed in the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) register — a core component of the EU’s MiCAR crypto compliance framework.

This regulatory milestone comes on the back of $VET and $VTHO tokens achieving similar status, marking bold steps forward for the VeChain and VeBetter ecosystems. Compliance with MiCAR in Europe is a core strategic objective in our pursuit to deliver real world adoption and utility for blockchain applications.

With compliant status obtained, VeBetter positions itself as one of the first viable candidates to become a mainstream Web3 app store for real world utility. After recently hitting 5 million active addresses, and almost 40 million tokenized sustainable actions across 40+ applications, VeBetter’s growth and adoption continue to accelerate, with ESMA confirmation helping advance its growth prospects.

Web3 Apps Going Mainstream

B3TR’s inclusion in the ESMA register grants VeBetter a significant competitive advantage in the fast-evolving world of crypto. The “regulatory passport” allows seamless operations across EU member states, simplifying market access for the platform’s growing roster of sustainability applications.

The milestone also strengthens VeBetter’s position as an onboarding mechanism for institutions, who increasingly seek differentiating factors for their investments — one of the most important being real world utility and functionality. The synergy between technological innovation and regulatory adherence positions the entire VeChain ecosystem for sustainable growth over the next decade, supported by institutional capital.

VeBetter is the world’s first Web3 app store for real-world utility. Through the platform, owned and governed by its community, users engage with various applications that tokenize and reward sustainability-related actions — from eating more healthily to working out, reducing waste or saving energy. B3TR tokens are awarded as incentives to encourage repeat behaviours. The outcome is millions of small activities contributing, at scale, to greater collective outcomes that tackle global challenges and bring benefits for the world at-large.

The platform’s unique positioning and ESMA confirmation opens new technological avenues for communities, organisations and businesses looking to deploy their own applications through the VeBetter platform, forging new growth avenues for the platform, and the aforementioned stakeholders.

VeBetter’s app store ecosystem currently includes over 40 sustainability-focused applications and has given rise to multi-million-user success stories like Mugshot and GreenCart — apps that exemplify simplicity and ease of use — something that has proven challenging for generations of Web3 Applications to date. This approach to adoption, in tandem with a complaint token ecosystem, presents ample opportunity for orders of magnitude more growth in the coming years.

The Path Ahead: Compliance For Global Impact

VeBetter’s goal is to accelerate the creation of a sustainable, circular economy powered by Web3 technologies. The journey toward mainstream adoption requires both technological excellence and regulatory responsibility, and, with B3TR’s MiCAR compliance now secured, VeChain, and the VeBetter ecosystem, are well positioned to continue leading, and scaling up, this transformation.

A new dawn of value creation for individuals, enterprises, and the world, has arrived.

Explore VeBetter and experience a bold new world for yourself!

Disclaimer: This crypto-asset marketing communication has not been reviewed or approved by any competent authority in any Member State of the European Union. The person seeking admission to trading of the crypto-asset is solely responsible for the content of this crypto-asset marketing communication. This marketing communication is issued by VeChain Foundation San Marino S.r.l..

White Papers relating to the crypto assets that we issue in the European Economic Area (EEA) are published and available on our website.

Contact: https://support.vechain.org