Keyper Compensation Program

Proposal

Create a Keyper Compensation Program to promote participation, especially uptime and communication.

Background

Uptime

Low or inconsistent Keyper uptime creates a risk that the Keyper sets will not be able to achieve a minimum threshold and generate decryption keys. If this occurs, the Shutter commit-reveal threshold encryption service will be disrupted.

  • Gnosis Chain Keypers: We have 6 of 7 Keypers online. (Threshold is 4/7 Keypers.)

  • Shutter API Keypers. We have 6 (inc 3 internal) of 11 Keypers online (Threshold is 5/11.) ,

Communication

Inconsistent or slow communication also makes it difficult to ensure that updated packages are installed and that incidents are resolved in a timely manner.

Rationale

A Keyper Compensation Program will encourage participation (especially uptime and communication), improve network performance, and recognize Keypers for their valuable service. The compensation for the initial period is only open to the Keypers that are already registered.

In the short term, the Keyper Compensation Program is a straightforward starting point. In the medium and long term, Shutter will likely require a more elaborate incentivization, tokenomics and staking system.

Estimated Costs

Keypers will be compensated at a rate of 50 USDC per month if they achieve desired uptime and communication standards.

Estimated cost of 4,500 USDC = 15 Keypers * 50 USDC per month * 6 months (initial period). Maximum cost of 5400 USDC = 18 Keypers * 50 USDC per month * 6 months (initial period).

Implementation

At the end of each month, brainbot will review each Keyper’s uptime and communications. If a Keyper’s uptime and communications are up to the following standard (90% uptime and a communication channel open) for that month, brainbot will schedule the Keyper to receive compensation for that month. If not, brainbot will provide feedback on how the Keyper may improve.

Compensation will be paid by the Shutter DAO 0x36 via Decent vote every 3 months.

Platform

Snapshot (if passed, this proposal will not trigger an onchain transaction)

Voting Options

Vote “FOR” to if you support a Keyper Compensation Program

OR

Vote “AGAINST” if you do not support this proposal

OR

Vote “ABSTAIN” if you do not have an opinion but want to help the vote reach quorum

3 Likes

Vote: FOR :white_check_mark: I fully support the Keyper Compensation Program — incentives for uptime and communication are essential for network stability.

Question: Is there any dashboard or monitoring tool available for Keypers to track their uptime and performance?

2 Likes

ITRocket also supports this proposal. Uptime is critical for any network’s stability, which is why it needs to be monitored and rewarded.

1 Like

Vote: FOR The Breskulpeak team supports the Keyper Compensation Program, as it provides strong motivation for operators to maintain uptime and ensure effective communication. We believe such incentives are essential for building a reliable and sustainable network.

1 Like

Thank you all for the positive feedback!

@Shoni, I don’t think such an open-source dashboard exists yet, but it would definitely add value for Keypers. Perhaps some community members will be interested in building it at some point.

Based on the early positive feedback, I’ve prepared this proposal to vote on Snapshot for the next cycle starting on August 25th.

1 Like

Hey all, 0xAlex has posted a keyper compensation proposal for vote on Decent

“Execute Keyper Compensation Payout - Sept Oct Nov”

This proposal executes the Keyper Compensation Program approved by the Shutter DAO, which provides compensation to eligible registered Keypers who meet the required standards (90% uptime and open communication channel).

Please review their proposal and cast your votes by Friday Dec 19, 2025, 4:33 PM CET

“Execute Keyper Compensation Payout Sep Oct Nov 25”

The proposal re-launched last week by 0xAlex has passed.

1 Like

Keyper Compensation Program — Renewal (6 months)

Six months in, the program is working. Proposing a straightforward renewal with one change.

It’s working — the data

Since launch, Keyper uptime and communication have measurably improved:

  • Steady stabilization. Monthly payouts moved from $500 in Sept 2025 — when roughly half the set was failing the standard — to a consistent ~$650/month through 2026, as more Keypers reliably cleared the 90% bar.
  • Monthly brainbot reviews ran cleanly across Sept 2025 → March 2026, with payouts executed via Decent.
  • The data is now updated until June 2026 Keyper Compensation Program_Tracking - Google Sheets

The original thesis — that modest, standards-based compensation improves participation and reliability — has held up.

The one change: pay in SHU

Everything stays the same — 90% uptime standard, open-communication requirement, monthly brainbot review, same rate. The only change: compensation paid in SHU tokens at an amount equivalent to the current 50 USDC/month rate.

Paying Keypers in SHU turns operators into stakeholders with a vested interest in Shutter’s long-term success, rather than service providers paid in an external stablecoin.

Renewal terms

  • Duration: 6 months
  • Standard: 90% uptime + open communication (unchanged)
  • Rate: 50 USDC-equivalent in SHU per Keyper per month
  • Review: monthly by brainbot
  • Payout: via Shutter DAO 0x36 / Decent, every 3 months

Estimated cost: 15–18 Keypers × 50 USDC-equiv × 6 months = 4,500–5,400 USDC-equivalent in SHU.

Platform: Snapshot

Voting options

  • FOR — renew for 6 months, paid in SHU
  • AGAINST — do not renew
  • ABSTAIN — no opinion, help reach quorum
1 Like