Chainlink is launching its beta staking program, version v0.1, on the Ethereum mainnet on December 6, 2022, initially allowing qualified addresses to stake up to 7,000 LINK tokens, with the pool capped at 25 million LINK tokens. This staking mechanism, central to Chainlink 2.0's economics, enhances the security and reliability of oracle services by incentivizing LINK token holders and node operators with rewards. The program will initially focus on supporting the ETH/USD Data Feed on Ethereum, featuring a decentralized alert system that allows stakers to flag inadequate oracle service performance in exchange for rewards. The staking pool will eventually expand to 75 million LINK and accommodate various types of stakers, including node operators and community stakers. The introduction of an auto-delegation system allows community staked LINK to be automatically delegated to node operators, encouraging consistent service quality. Staking rewards and penalties are structured to maintain network security, with a preliminary annual return of 5% for node operators and 4.75% for community stakers. The v0.1 program also introduces a reputation system to monitor service quality and performance, and future iterations may include more robust mechanisms for rewards and penalties. The initiative marks a significant step in Chainlink's transition to a sustainable economic model, with plans to gradually integrate user fee rewards and expand the staking program's capabilities.