💱Redelegating & Signalling Intent

Signalling Intent Overview

Signalling Intent is a core feature of the Quicksilver protocol that empowers delegators to specify which validators should receive their stake. By collecting these individual “Intents” from all users, Quicksilver can accurately align staking distributions with the community’s preferences while maintaining user sovereignty.

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Initial Deposit

When a user makes a first-time deposit to Quicksilver:

1. Validator Selection

   • Users can select up to 8 validators on the target chain to delegate their stake.

   • They can choose equal stake distribution (automatically dividing the stake equally across the chosen validators) or custom allocations (assigning specific percentages to each validator).

2. LSM Integration

   • If depositing from an existing delegation using Liquid Staking Module (LSM), Quicksilver adopts the composition of that pre-existing delegation as the user’s initial Intent.

This initial configuration forms the baseline preferences for where a user’s stake should be allocated—referred to as the Intent.

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Further Deposits

When a user makes subsequent deposits, they can again specify validator preferences. However, these preferences only apply to the newly deposited amount. Quicksilver then blends the existing Intent with the newly stated one:

$$Overall Intent=(Existing Intent×Existing Delegation Weight)+(New Intent×New Delegation Weight)$$

This ensures every deposit updates a delegator’s total Intent in proportion to the amount deposited.

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Changing Signal

Delegators can adjust their validator preferences at any time by submitting a MsgSignalIntent transaction on the Quicksilver chain. Key points to remember:

• The updated Intent applies to the entire weight of the user’s delegated stake (not just the new deposit).

• By issuing this message, the user effectively signals that they wish to reallocate existing delegations to new validators or adjust allocations among current validators.

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Epochly Rebalancing

Quicksilver performs rebalancing at regular intervals (known as epochs, typically every 3 days). During this process:

1. Aggregate Intent Calculation

   • The protocol aggregates all users’ Intents for a specific chain, creating a collective picture of the preferred validator set and allocation.

2. Redelegations

   • Quicksilver initiates redelegation transactions to align actual staking distribution with the aggregate Intent.

   • Concurrent Redelegation Constraints: Cosmos PoS imposes limits on how many redelegations can happen at once.

3. Eventual Consistency

   • Rebalancing may take up to one unbonding period (14–28 days) to fully converge on the desired distribution.

   • Quicksilver gradually moves delegations over time to comply with user preferences without violating chain-level redelegation constraints.

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Limitations

1. Concurrent Redelegation Limits

   • Cosmos consensus limits the number of simultaneous redelegations per validator, so rebalancing must proceed incrementally.

2. Extended Completion Window

   • Achieving complete alignment with the aggregate Intent can take up to an unbonding period (14–28 days) due to these redelegation constraints.

3. Moving Target

   • Because new deposits and changing signals can occur at any time, the aggregate Intent itself is dynamic, meaning the “perfect” distribution is continuously evolving.

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Key Takeaways

• User Autonomy: Delegators keep full control of how their stake is allocated, reflecting both initial deposits and any subsequent changes.

• Responsive Protocol: Quicksilver collects Intents, aggregates them each epoch, and steadily redelegates funds to align with evolving user preferences.

• Decentralized Staking: By encouraging users to select various validators, Quicksilver supports broader validator participation and robust network security.

Through Signalling Intent, Quicksilver strikes a balance between flexible user choice and orderly, protocol-driven rebalancing, ensuring staking decisions reflect the collective will of the Cosmos community without sacrificing sovereignty or security.