7 min readGuides

Migration from Legacy to EVM Staking

Learn how to migrate your staked ZIL from the legacy system to the new Zilliqa 2.0 EVM staking.

By PlunderSwap Team

Migration from Legacy to EVM Staking

This guide explains how to migrate your staked ZIL from Zilliqa's legacy staking system to the new EVM-based liquid staking on PlunderSwap.

Why Migrate?

Benefits of EVM Staking

  1. Liquid Staking: Receive pZIL tokens for liquidity
  2. Better Yields: Optimized validator selection
  3. DeFi Integration: Use pZIL across protocols
  4. Auto-compounding: Maximize returns

Legacy System Limitations

  • 14-day unbonding period
  • Locked tokens can't be used
  • Manual reward claiming
  • Limited DeFi options

Prerequisites

Before migrating, you need:

  1. Legacy Wallet: ZilPay or compatible wallet
  2. EVM Wallet: MetaMask, WalletConnect, Rabby, etc.
  3. Staked ZIL: In legacy staking system
  4. Gas Fees: Small amount of ZIL

Migration Process Overview

The migration involves three main steps:

  1. Unstake from legacy system
  2. Transfer ZIL to EVM chain
  3. Stake on PlunderSwap EVM

Step 1: Unstake from Legacy System

Access Legacy Staking

  1. Connect your ZilPay wallet
  2. Visit legacy staking dashboard
  3. View your staked positions

Initiate Unstaking

  1. Select validator to unstake from
  2. Enter amount or unstake all
  3. Confirm transaction
  4. Begin unbonding process

Wait for Unbonding

  • Duration: Check current unbonding period in dashboard
  • Status: Track in dashboard
  • Rewards: Continue earning during unbonding
  • Cannot cancel: Process is irreversible

Claim Unstaked ZIL

After unbonding period:

  1. Return to staking dashboard
  2. Click "Claim" on completed unstaking
  3. ZIL returns to wallet
  4. Ready for migration

Step 2: Transfer to EVM Chain

Use PlunderSwap Transfer Tool

  1. Visit PlunderSwap Transfer
  2. Connect both wallets:
    • Legacy: ZilPay
    • EVM: MetaMask

Initiate Transfer

  1. Enter ZIL amount to transfer
  2. Verify recipient address (auto-filled)
  3. Review gas fees
  4. Confirm in ZilPay

Wait for Confirmation

  • Cross-chain transfer time: ~2-5 minutes
  • Track status on screen
  • Receive confirmation when complete

Step 3: Stake on EVM

Connect to PlunderSwap

  1. Ensure MetaMask on Zilliqa EVM network
  2. Visit EVM Staking
  3. Connect wallet

Stake Your ZIL

  1. Enter amount to stake
  2. Review pZIL exchange rate
  3. Confirm transaction
  4. Receive pZIL tokens

Alternative: Direct Migration (Coming Soon)

Future Direct Path

PlunderSwap is developing a direct migration tool:

  • Skip manual unstaking
  • Automated process
  • Maintain reward continuity
  • One-click migration

How It Will Work

  1. Authorize migration contract
  2. Contract handles unstaking
  3. Automatic transfer to EVM
  4. Instant pZIL issuance

Managing Both Positions

During Migration Period

You might have:

  • Some ZIL in legacy staking
  • Some ZIL in unbonding
  • Some pZIL on EVM

Best Practices

  1. Stagger Migration: Don't unstake all at once
  2. Track Positions: Monitor both systems
  3. Plan Timing: Consider tax implications
  4. Keep Records: Document transactions

Common Questions

Do I lose rewards during migration?

  • Legacy rewards continue during unbonding
  • No rewards between unstaking claim and EVM staking
  • Plan accordingly to minimize downtime

Can I migrate partially?

Yes! Migrate in batches:

  • Test with small amount first
  • Reduce unbonding period impact
  • Maintain some legacy position

What about existing delegations?

  • Each delegation unstakes separately
  • Can migrate from specific validators
  • Choose based on unbonding time

Is migration recommended?

  • Yes! EVM staking offers liquid pZIL tokens
  • Better yields and DeFi integration
  • No lock-up periods with pZIL

Cost Considerations

Legacy Side

  • Unstaking: ~0.1 ZIL gas
  • Claiming: ~0.1 ZIL gas

Transfer

  • Bridge fee: ~1 ZIL
  • Network fee: ~0.5 ZIL

EVM Side

  • Approval: ~0.2 ZIL gas
  • Staking: ~0.3 ZIL gas

Total: ~2.2 ZIL (varies with network)

Optimizing Your Migration

Timing Strategies

  1. High APY Periods: Migrate when EVM APY is higher
  2. Low Gas Times: Transfer during quiet periods
  3. Tax Planning: Consider fiscal year timing

Amount Strategies

  1. Test First: Small amount to verify process
  2. Batch Migration: Split large amounts
  3. Emergency Reserve: Keep some liquid

Post-Migration

Using pZIL

Once migrated:

  • Provide liquidity in DEXs
  • Use as DeFi collateral
  • Trade freely
  • Compound returns

Monitoring Performance

  • Track pZIL value growth
  • Compare to legacy yields
  • Adjust DeFi strategies
  • Plan future moves

Troubleshooting

Stuck Unbonding

  • Check validator status
  • Contact support if delayed
  • Normal variance: ±1 day

Transfer Issues

  • Verify network selection
  • Check address format
  • Ensure sufficient gas
  • Try again if timeout

Staking Problems

  • Confirm EVM network
  • Add pZIL to wallet
  • Check minimum amounts
  • Clear cache if needed

Security Reminders

Verify Everything

  • Official PlunderSwap URLs only
  • Check contract addresses
  • Confirm wallet connections
  • Review all transactions

Protect Assets

  • Never share seed phrases
  • Use hardware wallets for large amounts
  • Enable all security features
  • Monitor unusual activity

Future Developments

Planned Improvements

  1. Direct migration tool
  2. Batch migration support
  3. Migration incentives
  4. Automated optimization

Stay Updated

Conclusion

Migrating to EVM staking unlocks the full potential of your ZIL with liquid pZIL tokens. While the process requires some patience, the benefits of liquid staking far outweigh the one-time migration effort.

Need Help?

Our community is here to assist:

Conclusion

Migrating from legacy to EVM staking unlocks the full potential of your ZIL through liquid staking. While the process requires patience due to unbonding, the benefits of pZIL make it worthwhile. Take your time, follow the steps carefully, and soon you'll enjoy the flexibility and enhanced yields of PlunderSwap's liquid staking.

Ready to start? Begin your migration journey:

  1. Check legacy stakes
  2. Use transfer tool
  3. Stake on EVM