Staking is a Bittensor subnet dedicated to optimizing staking strategies within the Tao/Alpha ecosystem. Developed by the community for the community, it extends its services to both retail and institutional investors.​

In this subnet, miners contribute their staking strategies, while validators assess these strategies using a specific scoring algorithm. The outcomes of these evaluations are transparently displayed on the StakingAlpha.com dashboard, providing users with clear insights into performance metrics.​

The business model and innovations of this subnet are designed for applicability across both cryptocurrency and traditional financial markets. By extracting alpha from these markets, minimizing risks, and delivering optimized portfolio returns, the subnet aims to serve a broad spectrum of investors within the global $145 trillion asset management industry.

In the Staking subnet of Bittensor, participants known as miners develop and submit staking strategies aimed at optimizing returns within the Tao/Alpha ecosystem. These strategies are automatically submitted when placed in the Sταking/strat/ directory. Miners have the flexibility to update or “rebalance” their strategies as needed; such revisions are automatically resubmitted based on the updated timestamp. It’s important to note that altering subnet allocations may result in slippage costs. All strategy updates are promptly reflected on the StakingAlpha.com dashboard, with daily score calculations occurring after midnight UTC. While a single machine can operate multiple miners with their respective strategies, submitting new or revised strategies that closely resemble existing ones may lead to reduced scores. Additionally, newly registered miners benefit from a three-day immunity period. ​

The subnet employs a comprehensive scoring algorithm that evaluates strategies based on factors such as return, volatility, drawdown, slippage, and timeframe. This multifaceted approach acknowledges that investment preferences vary among individuals, considering differences in style, risk tolerance, capital availability, and investment horizons. The scoring system is designed to be refined and updated over time to ensure its effectiveness. Miners are encouraged to focus on long-term portfolio management strategies rather than short-term trades in isolated instruments. The overarching goal is to consistently outperform the market by enhancing alpha while mitigating beta. For those new to portfolio management, concepts like Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) and the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) can serve as valuable starting points for optimizing strategies using machine learning techniques. To assist in this process, the standalone tool Sταking/bin/simst is available for backtesting strategies and fine-tuning performance based on historical market data. ​