What is Stargaze (STARS)?​

Stargaze is a decentralized and community-owned network for NFTs. It is built as an app-specific Cosmos Proof-of_stake chain, running the Tendermint consensus engine. It’s goal is to be similar to OpenSea, except governed by a community via a curation DAO and a protocol DAO.

Stargaze will allow users to buy, sell, and trade NFTs. It will also allow trading NFTs across other IBC-enabled chains. It will also interoperate with Ethereum over Gravity Bridge.

STARS is the native staking token that is used for:

Fees for processing transactions and storing data Running validator nodes on the network via staking STARS tokens Voting in governance for protocol upgrades and parameter changes Voting in the DAO to curate NFTs and fund creators Mint and bid on NFTs

Stargaze tools include:

Stargaze node software to run validators, full nodes, and perform command-line operations

What is Stargaze (STARS)?​

Stargaze is a decentralized and community-owned network for NFTs. It is built as an app-specific Cosmos Proof-of_stake chain, running the Tendermint consensus engine. It’s goal is to be similar to OpenSea, except governed by a community via a curation DAO and a protocol DAO.

Stargaze will allow users to buy, sell, and trade NFTs. It will also allow trading NFTs across other IBC-enabled chains. It will also interoperate with Ethereum over Gravity Bridge.

STARS is the native staking token that is used for:

Fees for processing transactions and storing data Running validator nodes on the network via staking STARS tokens Voting in governance for protocol upgrades and parameter changes Voting in the DAO to curate NFTs and fund creators Mint and bid on NFTs

Stargaze tools include:

Stargaze node software to run validators, full nodes, and perform command-line operations

How many STARS coins are there in circulation?​

Stargaze mainnet launched on October 29th, 2021 with 1 billion STARS tokens created at genesis. New coins are minted each year via inflation. Inflation follows a “thirdening” schedule where it is reduced by 1/3rd each year. Inflation for year 1 is 100%. Details of the release schedule can be found at https://mirror.xyz/stargazezone.eth/h9Bc7jODUrYB1Jw4mve3QEGVkBwBsyVebN6NP7tRl_Y#phased-launch.

Who are the founders of Stargaze?​

Stargaze is founded by Shane Vitarana, Jorge Hernandez, and Jake Hartnell, all programmers with extensive software engineering experience.

Shane and Jorge met while working at TruStory, one of the first protocols to be built with Cosmos SDK. Jake met Shane 3 years ago, and have worked together for over 2 years. Jake is one of the maintainers of cw-nft, the NFT repository for CosmWasm, the smart contract technology used in Stargaze.

Shane has been programming for nearly 3 decades, and has published some very popular iOS apps including Drum Kit, and TED. Before building apps, he was contributor to the open source web framework Ruby on Rails, and was one of the first hires at Groupon. He also worked at Orbitz.com and Motorola before that. He holds an M.S in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Electromagnetics, and a dual B.S in Computer Engineering and Computer Science.

Where can I buy STARS?​

Currently, STARS is only available in a liquidity pool on Osmosis: https://app.osmosis.zone/pool/604.

What is Stargaze?​

Stargaze (STARS) is a decentralized network for NFTs and digital assets, built on the Cosmos SDK stack. It operates as a Layer 1 blockchain powered by CosmWasm, featuring zero gas fees for NFT trading and built-in royalties. The platform is home to unique NFT collections like Bad Kids and Celestine Sloths, and offers a marketplace with NFT loans and on-chain raffles.

The network employs a distinctive fee structure called Fair Burn, where 50% of fees are burned, 50% are distributed to stakers and delegators, and none go to the team. This model aims to create a sustainable and community-focused ecosystem. Stargaze Names is another innovative feature, allowing any Cosmos wallet to be mapped to a name, discouraging domain squatting.

Stargaze also includes a role-playing platform called Crypto Dungeon and a decentralized exchange, STARDEX (Alpha), for trading meme coins. The open-source nature of Stargaze is evident with its code and contracts available on Public Awesome and GitHub.

The STARS token serves multiple purposes: it is used for transaction fees, staking to run validator nodes, and governance voting for protocol upgrades and parameter changes. Additionally, STARS tokens are used for minting and bidding on NFTs. The network is designed to interoperate with other IBC-enabled chains and Ethereum via Gravity Bridge.

Stargaze was founded by Shane Vitarana, Jorge Hernandez, and Jake Hartnell, all seasoned programmers with extensive software engineering backgrounds. The mainnet launched on October 29, 2021, with an initial supply of 1 billion STARS tokens, following an inflation schedule that reduces by one-third each year.

What is the technology behind Stargaze?​

Stargaze, a decentralized and community-owned network for NFTs, operates on a Layer 1 blockchain powered by CosmWasm. This blockchain is designed to be app-specific within the Cosmos ecosystem, utilizing the Tendermint consensus engine. Tendermint is a Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus algorithm that ensures the network remains secure and operational even if some nodes act maliciously or fail. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity and reliability of the blockchain.

The Tendermint consensus engine works by having validators propose and vote on blocks of transactions. For a block to be added to the blockchain, it must receive a supermajority (typically two-thirds) of votes from validators. This mechanism prevents attacks such as double-spending and ensures that the blockchain remains immutable and tamper-proof. Validators are incentivized to act honestly through staking STARS tokens; if they act maliciously, they risk losing their staked tokens.

Stargaze's use of CosmWasm, a smart contract platform, allows for the creation and execution of complex decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. CosmWasm is designed to be highly interoperable, enabling Stargaze to interact with other blockchains within the Cosmos ecosystem through the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. This interoperability extends to Ethereum via the Gravity Bridge, allowing users to trade NFTs across different blockchain networks seamlessly.

The governance of Stargaze is community-driven, facilitated through a dual DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) structure: a curation DAO and a protocol DAO. The curation DAO is responsible for curating NFTs and funding creators, while the protocol DAO handles protocol upgrades and parameter changes. STARS tokens are used for voting in these DAOs, ensuring that the community has a direct say in the network's development and direction.

Stargaze also employs a unique inflation model to manage the supply of STARS tokens. At the time of writing, the inflation rate follows a "thirdening" schedule, where it is reduced by one-third each year. This model started with an initial 100% inflation rate in the first year, gradually decreasing over time to control the token supply and incentivize early participation.

The Stargaze ecosystem includes various tools and software to support its operations. For instance, the Stargaze node software allows users to run validators, full nodes, and perform command-line operations. Validators play a crucial role in maintaining the network's security and efficiency by validating transactions and adding new blocks to the blockchain.

Stargaze's founders, Shane Vitarana, Jorge Hernandez, and Jake Hartnell, bring extensive software engineering experience to the project. Their backgrounds include significant contributions to the Cosmos SDK and other open-source projects, ensuring that Stargaze is built on a solid technical foundation. Shane Vitarana, for example, has nearly three decades of programming experience and has developed popular iOS apps and contributed to the Ruby on Rails framework.

The network's design aims to create a decentralized marketplace for NFTs, similar to platforms like OpenSea, but governed by its community. Users can buy, sell, and trade NFTs, with the added benefit of interoperability with other IBC-enabled chains and Ethereum. This makes Stargaze a versatile and robust platform for NFT enthusiasts and creators alike.

Stargaze's technology stack, including the Tendermint consensus engine, CosmWasm smart contracts, and IBC protocol, ensures a secure, scalable, and interoperable environment for decentralized applications and NFT trading. The community-driven governance model and unique inflation schedule further enhance the network's sustainability and growth potential.

What are the real-world applications of Stargaze?​

Stargaze (STARS) is a decentralized and community-owned network designed specifically for NFTs and digital assets. It operates on the Cosmos Proof-of-Stake chain, utilizing the Tendermint consensus engine. This platform aims to provide a user-friendly environment for creators to launch and manage their NFT collections, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and community involvement.

One of the standout features of Stargaze is its ability to enforce royalties on-chain for both creators and developers. This ensures that artists and developers receive their due compensation whenever their NFTs are traded. Additionally, Stargaze supports the trading of NFTs across other IBC-enabled chains and can interoperate with Ethereum via the Gravity Bridge.

Stargaze offers several real-world applications. For instance, it provides airdrops, allowing users to receive free tokens as part of promotional campaigns. The platform also supports NFT trading and loans, enabling users to buy, sell, and even borrow against their NFTs. On-chain raffles are another feature, offering users the chance to win NFTs or other digital assets through a transparent and decentralized process.

The platform also includes a marketplace for trading meme coins, adding a layer of fun and engagement for users. Furthermore, Stargaze offers a name service for Cosmos wallets, making it easier for users to manage and identify their digital assets.

Stargaze's open-source code and contracts are available on GitHub, promoting transparency and community-driven development. This allows developers to contribute to the platform's growth and innovation.

In addition to these features, Stargaze employs AI and machine learning to enhance its platform, making it more efficient and user-friendly. This technology helps in curating NFTs, managing transactions, and ensuring the overall security of the network.

The native token, STARS, is used for various purposes, including processing transaction fees, running validator nodes, and participating in governance decisions. Users can stake their STARS tokens to earn rewards and vote on protocol upgrades and parameter changes. This decentralized governance model ensures that the community has a say in the platform's development and direction.

What key events have there been for Stargaze?​

Stargaze (STARS) is a decentralized, community-owned network for NFTs, built on the Cosmos network. It aims to provide a platform similar to OpenSea but governed by a community via a curation DAO and a protocol DAO. The network allows users to buy, sell, and trade NFTs, including trading across other IBC-enabled chains and interoperability with Ethereum through Gravity Bridge.

In October 2021, Stargaze launched its mainnet, marking a significant milestone with the creation of 1 billion STARS tokens at genesis. This launch set the stage for the platform's development and growth within the NFT and blockchain ecosystem.

Early 2022 saw the release of Stargaze's Q1 roadmap, outlining the platform's strategic direction and upcoming features. This roadmap provided the community with a clear vision of the platform's future developments and enhancements.

In the same year, Stargaze introduced a new fee structure, aiming to optimize transaction costs and improve user experience. This change was part of the platform's ongoing efforts to refine its economic model and ensure sustainability.

Stargaze also launched its airdrop claim site, allowing users to claim their allocated STARS tokens. This event was crucial in distributing tokens to the community and incentivizing early participation in the network.

The introduction of NFT loans and on-chain raffles added new dimensions to the platform, offering users innovative ways to engage with NFTs. These features expanded the utility of NFTs on Stargaze, providing more opportunities for users to interact with digital assets.

Stargaze Names was another notable addition, allowing users to register unique names on the platform. This feature enhanced the user experience by enabling personalized and memorable identifiers within the Stargaze ecosystem.

Collaborations with other blockchain projects, such as dYdX, further integrated Stargaze into the broader crypto community. These partnerships helped to expand the platform's reach and fostered a collaborative environment within the blockchain space.

Stargaze also hosted an AMA on Discord, providing a platform for direct communication between the team and the community. This event allowed users to ask questions, share feedback, and gain insights into the platform's development.

Participation in the Rare Evo blockchain and crypto conference highlighted Stargaze's commitment to engaging with the wider blockchain community. This event provided an opportunity to showcase the platform's capabilities and network with other industry leaders.

Exclusive NFT drops and discussions for experienced collectors were also part of Stargaze's strategy to attract and retain a dedicated user base. These events catered to the interests of serious NFT enthusiasts and collectors, enhancing the platform's appeal.

The STARS token follows an annual issuance reduction schedule, decreasing by one-third each year. This "thirdening" mechanism is designed to control inflation and ensure the long-term value of the token.

Stargaze's development and strategic initiatives have positioned it as a significant player in the NFT and blockchain space, with a focus on community governance and innovative features.

Who are the founders of Stargaze?​

Stargaze (STARS) is a decentralized, community-owned network for NFTs, built on the Cosmos Proof-of-Stake chain and running the Tendermint consensus engine. The founders of Stargaze are Shane Vitarana, Jorge Hernandez, and Jake Hartnell. Shane Vitarana, with nearly three decades of programming experience, has developed popular iOS apps like Drum Kit and TED, and contributed to Ruby on Rails. Jorge Hernandez and Shane previously collaborated at TruStory, a protocol built with Cosmos SDK. Jake Hartnell, a maintainer of the cw-nft repository for CosmWasm, joined Shane in developing Stargaze, leveraging his expertise in smart contract technology.