Cosmos aims to be the internet of blockchains. The Cosmos Hub officially launched in March 2019. To learn more, please take a read through their whitepaper.

New blocks on Cosmos are proposed by validators. To enable Cosmos to run seamlessly, validators need the technical capabilities to offer a secure, always on infrastructure. Not everyone is able to do this. Some token holders participate indirectly by delegating the tokens they have to a validator. Validators are running a service for delegators. They typically charge a fee to cover their operational costs.

By delegating ATOM or other token, you help secure the network. You get part of the rewards provided by the protocol for this assistance. If you are planning to hold on to ATOM or other token for some time, delegating will help you accumulate more ATOM or other token while contributing to the health of the network.

Cosmos penalizes any validator that misses too many blocks or double signs a block by slashing the staked amount on that validator. We have our own capital on the line, so we are fully incentivized to do our best to prevent such events. However, delegators must be aware that this slashing risk will always exist.

Undelegating (also called unbonding or unstaking) can be done anytime. However, it takes approximately 21 days for your ATOM to undelegate and become transferable. This time period exists in order to prevent long range attacks