TenX manages 5 million XTZ: Staking strategy in the Tezos ecosystem

TenX Protocols, a blockchain infrastructure company listed on the exchange, has accumulated 5 million XTZ tokens worth approximately $3.25 million through strategic staking partnerships with the Tezos Foundation. This decision marks a significant step in TenX’s “validator-first” business model, where the company generates recurring revenue by operating infrastructure that secures the proof-of-stake network.

The purchase of 5 million XTZ was executed between early and mid-January at an average price of $0.5868 per token, through a combination of open market transactions and over-the-counter deals. The funds for this acquisition come from a funding round closed in mid-2025. XTZ is currently trading around $0.47, reflecting the continuously changing market dynamics.

Strategic Acquisition Worth $3.25 Million

This investment is not merely asset accumulation but an integral part of a collaborative framework with the Tezos Foundation. TenX targets an annual staking yield of approximately 8% to 10% before fees, depending on network conditions. According to Filip Cybula, founder and Chief Operating Officer of TenX, “a reasonable benchmark for staking Tezos is within that range, providing us with predictable revenue projections.”

Revenue from staking activities and related yields will be reflected in TenX’s public financial reports, including comprehensive management disclosures. This transparency demonstrates the company’s commitment to accountability to shareholders and regulators.

Validator-First Model for Staking Revenue

TenX plans to stake XTZ tokens through its own proprietary validator. This model allows the company to earn staking rewards while providing critical infrastructure services for the security of the Tezos network. As part of the agreement, the Tezos Foundation intends to delegate a portion of their XTZ holdings to validators operated by TenX.

However, Cybula emphasizes that this delegation is purely about optimizing staking, not governance influence. “TenX maintains full independence in governance decision-making and votes independently on Tezos protocol upgrades,” he explained, indicating a clear separation between staking operations and governance participation.

Delegation Partnership with the Tezos Foundation

In evaluating TenX’s selection of Tezos, the company considers several critical factors. A mature governance model, proven upgrade history, and technical maturity are primary considerations compared to larger ecosystems like Ethereum and Solana.

TenX’s due diligence process prioritizes validator risk, decentralization levels, healthy token economics, and long-term operational feasibility. This methodical approach reflects a measured, data-driven investment strategy.

Expansion into Other Proof-of-Stake Ecosystems

TenX has announced that they are pursuing similar strategic partnerships across various other proof-of-stake ecosystems, although specific targets have not yet been disclosed. Cybula indicated that the growth of the validator ecosystem depends on how protocol delegation develops in the market.

“If delegation flows to operators investing in reliability, security, transparency, and community contribution, it can strengthen overall validator quality and enhance network resilience,” Cybula stated. This reflects TenX’s long-term vision of raising industry standards for validator operations across multiple blockchains.

As staking infrastructure matures industry-wide, TenX’s decision to manage 5 million XTZ and develop delegation partnerships demonstrates growing confidence in a sustainable staking-based business model.