Impossible Cloud Network (ICN) just hit another massive milestone: ScalerNode Pre-Staking is now live. This technical upgrade is a major leap forward in building the decentralized backbone of the next generation internet.

Whether you're already deep in the ICN ecosystem or just staking your first ICN Link, here's everything you need to know.

🌐 What Are ScalerNodes?

ScalerNodes are the resource workhorses of the ICN ecosystem. They provide the compute, storage and networking capacity that fuels ICN’s decentralized cloud infrastructure.

While HyperNodes form the network's security and monitoring layer, ScalerNodes deliver the scalable infrastructure needed to run high-performance applications, whether it’s AI workloads, enterprise-grade storage, or decentralized SaaS.

Think of HyperNodes as the guardians of the network, and ScalerNodes as the muscle.

💡 Why ScalerNode Pre-Staking Matters

With pre-staking now open, ICN Link holders can begin assigning their stake to ScalerNodes ahead of full mainnet functionality. This early-stage staking accomplishes several things:

1. Bootstraps the Resource Layer
   Pre-staking helps ICN identify committed participants who will be part of launching and securing the Storage Constellation, a decentralized layer of real, enterprise-grade storage capacity.
   
   
2. Signals Network Readiness
   By engaging the community now, ICN ensures that when the full protocol goes live, ScalerNodes will already be secured and partially operational. This fast-tracks activation of protocol-level rewards.
   
   
3. Contributes to a Decentralized, High-Performance Cloud
   ICN is challenging Web2 giants with a new model of decentralized infrastructure. ScalerNodes represent the delivery layer that ensures ICN can scale, compete, and outperform centralized providers.
   
   

⚙️ HyperNodes vs. ScalerNodes: What’s the Difference?

HyperNodes and ScalerNodes are both critical components of the ICN ecosystem, but they serve distinct roles within the decentralized architecture.

HyperNodes form the network’s security and enforcement layer. They’re responsible for monitoring the activity and performance of ScalerNodes, ensuring that they meet expected uptime and reliability standards. These nodes enforce service level agreements (SLAs), act as validators, and penalize bad actors while rewarding good behavior. Several actors stake their ICN Links to HyperNodes and earn rewards for helping maintain the network’s trust and performance integrity.

On the other hand, ScalerNodes represent the operational core of the network. They provide the actual compute and storage power that drives ICN’s decentralized cloud services. In short, they are handling the heavy lifting behind everything from data storage to AI workloads.

To function, ScalerNodes require collateral to be staked, which is where ScalerNode staking comes into play. By staking your ICN Link towards a ScalerNode you're supporting the Hardware Providers commitment, made in the form of $ICNT. This ensures that Hardware Providers are economically aligned with the network’s success. Their performance is continuously monitored by HyperNodes, creating a robust feedback loop that maintains security, reliability, and incentive alignment across the system.

In simple terms, HyperNodes watch and secure, while ScalerNodes work and scale. Both are essential to ICN’s mission to create a decentralized, high-performance cloud. But they contribute to it in fundamentally different ways.

💰 Why Staking Is Crucial in the ICN Ecosystem

Staking is the lifeblood of ICN’s permissionless economy. It ensures that all actors, from node operators to token holders, have skin in the game. 

By opening ScalerNode Staking now, ICN is enabling the community to get in early and help build a high-trust, high-performance foundation for its protocol launch that’s coming up very soon. (Community members can start generating $ICNT rewards after mainnet launch)

🛠️ How to Stake

1. Head over to: console.icn.global
   
   
2. Connect your wallet holding ICN Links.
   
   
3. Choose the ScalerNode you’d like to stake toward.
   
   
4. Confirm and join the decentralized movement.
   
   

Ready to decentralize the cloud?
Stake your ICN Links today at console.icn.global