Periodic Confirmation for ICP Governance: A Step Towards Active Decentralisation

The Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) is taking a pivotal step toward improving governance and encouraging active participation among its users. Introducing periodic confirmation for neuron following within the Network Nervous System (NNS) represents a thoughtful evolution in how decisions are made and how rewards are distributed. This feature, set to launch in early 2025, ensures that only active participants influence governance outcomes and reap associated benefits.

Encouraging more active governance on ICP, this initiative requires participants to vote directly or confirm their following settings regularly to retain their rewards and voting power. In practice, a new data field called voting_power_refreshed_timestamp_seconds will be introduced for each neuron. This field tracks the last time the neuron voted, set a following, or confirmed a following. Set to initialise on September 1, 2024, this timestamp will allow the system to identify inactive neurons and gradually reduce their influence.

To provide better transparency for ICP stakers, two additional fields—deciding_voting_power and potential_voting_power—will help neuron owners understand their influence. The former reflects the adjusted voting power for active neurons, while the latter shows the theoretical voting power if neurons were regularly refreshed. Each proposal will also display a total_potential_voting_power field, which aggregates the maximum possible voting power of all eligible neurons.

Participants can take action by calling the RefreshVotingPower command, which confirms the neuron’s following and updates its voting_power_refreshed_timestamp_seconds field to the current timestamp. By doing so, users ensure that their neurons remain active, retaining full voting power and eligibility for rewards. This added feature simplifies the process for users, ensuring they can maintain their participation without unnecessary complexity.

The motivation for these changes stems from community-driven proposals and discussions. While broad inclusivity is a cornerstone of decentralised systems, the presence of inactive neurons has posed challenges for governance. Neurons that were set to follow defaults or remain dormant dilute the decision-making process, weakening the system’s overall integrity. Periodic confirmation aligns rewards with active participation, creating a more robust governance model.

Under the new system, inactive neurons will experience a gradual reduction in their voting power if they fail to take action within six months. Over the seventh month, their influence will decrease linearly until it reaches zero. At this point, their followees will be reset, and their impact on decision-making will cease entirely. This approach ensures fairness while encouraging users to remain engaged with the network.

For developers and integrators, these changes present an opportunity to enhance user experiences. Applications that interact with NNS governance can introduce warning systems and intuitive interfaces to help users stay informed and active. By notifying participants before their neurons lose influence, developers can minimise disruption and promote seamless transitions to the new governance framework.

The rollout plan for periodic confirmation ensures a smooth implementation. Starting this week, the new voting_power_refreshed_timestamp_seconds field will be available, and neurons will begin tracking their activity retroactively from September 2024. Over the following months, additional functionality, including APIs and voting power adjustments, will be introduced. By early 2025, the feature will be fully operational, with the final stages of implementation scheduled for March and April.

These changes highlight the ICP ecosystem’s commitment to innovation and decentralisation. By incentivising active participation and discouraging passive influence, the network strengthens its governance while preserving its foundational principles. This transition marks a significant milestone in the evolution of ICP, setting a precedent for decentralised systems worldwide.

As the changes take effect, participants must take proactive steps to maintain their neurons’ voting power and rewards. For those who vote manually or actively manage their settings, this initiative will require minimal adjustments. However, participants who rely on default configurations or infrequently engage with governance will need to adapt. Confirming followees regularly or participating in decision-making processes ensures continued involvement in the ecosystem’s growth.

The introduction of periodic confirmation represents a collaborative effort by the ICP community. From initial proposals to detailed discussions, the process reflects the power of decentralised decision-making. The final design incorporates input from a broad range of stakeholders, balancing technical considerations with the need for inclusivity and fairness.

This new framework brings added clarity to governance processes, distinguishing between active and potential voting power. By separating these metrics, the system ensures that dormant neurons do not disproportionately influence decisions while maintaining fairness in reward distribution. This approach promotes transparency, enabling participants to understand their role and contributions to the network.

Periodic confirmation also underscores the scalability and resilience of the ICP ecosystem. By aligning rewards with activity, the network reduces the risk of manipulation and improves decision-making efficiency. The introduction of parameters such as start_reducing_voting_power_after_seconds and clear_following_after_seconds provides a clear structure for managing neuron activity and ensures a consistent approach to governance.

As the release date approaches, the ICP community can look forward to a more dynamic and engaged governance system. By fostering active participation and discouraging passivity, periodic confirmation strengthens the foundation of the network, enhancing its decentralised character. This initiative not only addresses current challenges but also positions ICP for long-term success in an evolving digital landscape.

Encouraging active governance participation has never been more straightforward. With new tools and processes, ICP stakers can take control of their neurons and contribute meaningfully to the network’s future. As the Internet Computer Protocol continues to innovate, its emphasis on collaboration and transparency will remain central, ensuring its place as a leader in decentralised technology.