NEAR Protocol Announces Protocol Upgrade to Version 81 Focusing on Efficiency, Decentralization, and Governance
By RSR Málaga | October 23, 2025
The NEAR Protocol network has officially announced voting for the protocol upgrade to version 81, which is scheduled to begin on October 28, 2025, at 1:00 UTC.
If the proposal is approved, the upgrade will be activated approximately 7 to 8 hours later on the same day.
Near Core validators must upgrade their nodes to version 2.9.0 before the vote begins, ensuring they remain in consensus with the NEAR Mainnet.
Main Changes in Version 81
The upgrade brings significant changes focused on economic efficiency, decentralization, and encouraging participatory governance. Here are the main points:
🔹 Reduction of the maximum inflation rate:
The protocol will reduce the inflation limit from 5% to 2.5%, making NEAR’s monetary model more sustainable and balanced in the long term.
🔹 Adjustment to the staking yield:
The estimated yield for validators and delegators will be adjusted to approximately 4.75%, based on the assumption that 50% of the total token supply is staked.
🔹 Introduction of proposal HSP-002:
This proposal aims to strengthen the decentralization of the network by offering technical and operational support to smaller validators, which increases the diversity and security of the ecosystem.
🔹 Proposal HSP-003 — Incentive for veNEAR holders:
HSP-003 seeks to increase the yield for participants who lock NEAR in veNEAR, in addition to rewarding those who actively participate in early governance, creating a fairer and more meritocratic system.
Impact on the Community and Investors
With reduced inflation and staking adjustments, NEAR is moving toward a more deflationary and sustainable economic model, which could generate appreciation in the medium and long term.
Furthermore, the governance incentive via veNEAR reinforces community engagement and the consolidation of a robust decentralized structure.
These changes also make the network more attractive to new validators and institutional investors seeking efficient blockchains with stable monetary policies.
Conclusion
The version 81 update represents an important milestone in the evolution of the NEAR Protocol, solidifying its position as one of the most innovative platforms in the industry.
With a focus on efficiency, decentralization, and active governance, NEAR reinforces its commitment to building a sustainable and participatory digital economy.