Algorand Foundation invests in Valar Peer-to-Peer Staking Platform

Hackathon Winner & Top Incubator Team Receives Funding & Launch Support

Zurich (12 February 2025) — The Algorand Foundation has invested in Valar, a decentralized platform for peer-to-peer staking on Algorand, after the team’s successful completion of the Foundation’s first Incubator in late 2024. Algorand launched Staking Rewards in late January to increase network security and decentralization through community involvement. Those staking Algo or running nodes can now collect rewards for the first time, without risk of loss or slashing due to Algorand’s consensus protocol.

Valar was an integral part of this launch, offering users a simple way to delegate their tokens and making widespread participation in consensus possible. Ecosystem projects Folks Finance, Tinyman, Messina, CompX, Pact, Vestige Labs, TxnLab and Nodely also support Staking Rewards.

Almost three weeks after Algorand’s network upgrade, the node runners listed on Valar provide staking services to 130 accounts, representing 6% of all accounts participating in consensus, staking in total 20 M Algo. Peer-to-peer staking allows users to maintain full custody of their Algo, which is a critical differentiator underpinning the Valar platform. Staking on Valar is:

• Real-time: Earn rewards immediately after each block is finalized (every ~2.8 seconds). Valar takes no commission from these rewards.
• Flexible: Change the staking contract and choose new node runners at any time, while keeping your staked Algo unlocked in your wallet.
• Decentralized: Stake directly with any node runner around the globe, private or institutional, and help secure the Algorand network.

How to Stake

Go to stake.valar.solutions, connect your wallet, select the duration you want to stake, choose a node runner, pay for their service and the runner will automatically prepare a node for you within a few minutes. Confirm your setup, and get staking!

… users’ staked funds remain in their wallets, completely liquid and always under their sole custody.

How to Run a Node

Go to stake.valar.solutions/learn-node for complete instructions on how to install the Algorand node, configure the Valar Daemon, receive staking requests, and directly monitor the performance of accounts that stake on your node.

Close Cooperation

“We are thrilled to receive funding and support from Algorand Foundation, which enabled us to launch our platform in time for Algorand’s new staking initiative,” said Dr. Uroš Hudomalj, Co-founder and CEO of Valar Solutions GmbH. “Valar focuses on minimizing the users’ risks and maximizing network decentralization. This is only possible thanks to Algorand’s unique technology, which allows users’ staked funds to remain in their wallets, completely liquid and always under their sole custody.”

In addition to funding, Algorand Foundation is supporting Valar with launch services through a network of trusted vendors offering legal, compliance, branding and community growth expertise.

Valar represents the successful builder and entrepreneurial journey we aim to foster at Algorand.

“From winning the Grandmaster prize at Algorand’s Change the Game hackathon in June, to their stellar performance in our first Incubator last fall, co-founders Alex Marinšek and Uroš Hudomalj have proven to be a standout team,” said Christine Mohan, VP of Ecosystem Success & Startup Programs at the Algorand Foundation. “Valar represents the successful builder and entrepreneurial journey we aim to foster at Algorand. Their offering is a valuable addition to our evolving staking ecosystem.”

About Algorand Foundation

Algorand (ALGO) is an energy-efficient, quantum-secure, single-layer blockchain with instant finality, consistently high throughput, and low fees. It is designed and built for real-world scale and has grown into a vibrant ecosystem of developers, entrepreneurs, and enterprise partners that benefit from institutional-grade certainty and resilience. Its fees, instant finality, and a minimal carbon footprint appeal to the protocol’s millions of retail users, and developers of all kinds appreciate the ability to use common programming languages like Python. Builders on Algorand are creating protocols and companies that solve important problems at a global scale: instant payments in war and disaster zones, self-sovereign identity for the disenfranchised, supply-chain traceability for global commerce, permissionless protocols addressing financial inclusion, and the creation of entirely new markets through tokenization, to name a few. To learn more and start your journey on Algorand, visit algorand.co.

About Valar Solutions GmbH

Valar Solutions GmbH is a Switzerland-based deep tech development company, creating innovative solutions for global problems using state-of-the-art technologies like blockchain, AI and IoT. Rooted in academic rigor and Swiss precision, the company delivers world-class solutions, never compromising on quality, safety, or integrity. By working closely with clients, Valar Solutions streamlines operations, turns ideas into reality, and contributes to a better tomorrow for us all. Visit stake.valar.solutions to get started with the flagship product, the Valar Peer-to-Peer Staking Platform.