Proudly Presenting: Galactica’s Public TestNet V1.0

Galactica Network is the blockchain for privacy, identity, and social use cases like Real-World Assets, Souldrops, on-chain social media, DePin integrations, reputation-enhanced DeFi, and more — all while maintaining Web3’s founding ethos of freedom for all.
But how much technical work goes into creating a blockchain capable of hosting societies? It’s a lot, but our community is making the process much easier!
During our DevNet, with your assistance, we showcased, tested, and refined our unique zkKYC processes — an essential step in proving our thesis that privacy (via Zero Knowledge & Fully Homomorphic Encryption), compliance, and Web3’s unique ethos can exist in unity.
Galactica’s TestNet is an environment where we encourage users to test the blockchain and its features to their breaking points and simply try out Galactica’s cutting-edge features before the official launch — all while earning your Citizenship along the way with our Voyage Ark and Cypher State campaigns. The TestNet will seamlessly extend our previous DevNet, with new features unlocking in phases over the coming weeks and months.

What You’ll Find on the TestNet

Let’s break down the key features you can experiment with during Galactica’s TestNet.

Now

• (TestNet v1.0) Zero-Knowledge KYC (zkKYC):Thanks to your help during DevNet, zkKYC is now even more refined from a technical and UX standpoint, with more upgrades to come during the TestNet.With zkKYC, you can prove that you’ve gone through identity verification processes (like those required for financial services) without sharing that personal data on the blockchain.(TestNet v1.0) Validation:You can now deploy nodes and start validating blocks for Galactica Network (TestNet v1.0), securing the network and earning your Galactica Network Citizenship for your contributions.(TestNet v1.0) Improved User and Developer Experience:Based on the feedback from our earlier DevNet, we’ve implemented numerous technical and UX upgrades.The TestNet features a smoother UX for all existing features, including the zkKYC setup process.

Upcoming

• (TestNet v1.1) The Start of Governance and Reputation:We’ll introduce Proto-Governance v1.0 and Reputation v1.0 in stages after the deployment of stable validators in v1.0 proves the stability and security of the TestNetParticipating in the TestNet journey will give you a sneak peek of Galactica’s plans to put decision-making power in your hands and create new ways of building trust on-chain

Who is the TestNet for?

The TestNet is open to everyone and your participation will be required for many of our incentivized community campaigns to ensure high-quality feedback, but it will be especially exciting if you’re:

• Interested in Becoming a Validator:Validators help keep Galactica Network secure and decentralized.An essential step to becoming a Validator on Galactica’s upcoming MainNet is becoming a Galactica Network Citizen (holding a GNC). However, during the TestNet you do NOT need a GNC to participate.To learn about the requirements and fully understand the role, we’ve provided all the required resources in our developer documentation: https://docs.galactica.com/galactica-developer-documentation/validator-guide.

A Developer:

• Dive into the developer documentation (https://docs.galactica.com/galactica-developer-documentation/) and consider the applications you could build using Galactica’s robust privacy and identity features — features that blend social and financial use cases seamlessly while maintaining user privacy.Galactica has several RFPs (Requests for Proposal) active for specific, highly valued development input. Read the details here: https://galactica.com/developers#RFPs

Galactica TestNet v1.0 Basics

So, now that we know what’s coming in the TestNet let’s explore what you can do by following a simplified user journey.

Wallet Setup

1. Install MetaMask: Download and install the MetaMask browser extension (https://metamask.io/).
2. Add Galactica TestNet Network: Configure MetaMask with the necessary TestNet network details.

3. Install Galactica ZK Vault Snap to your MetaMask.
4. Load your new wallet with the TestNet’s native coin $UGNET with the TestNet faucet found here: https://faucet-andromeda.galactica.com/

What is the Galactica ZK Vault Snap?

Your MetaMask wallet becomes even more potent with Galactica’s ZK Vault Snap, an extension for Metamask available on Metamask’s official Snap library, which you’ll need to self-custody your data and selectively disclose statements on-chain while keeping your data private.
The ZK Vault Snap provides utility in the form of:

1. Secure Storage: The ZK Vault Snap lets you keep your private data safely in your wallet rather than on a company’s server.
2. Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Need to prove something about yourself on-chain, like that you passed KYC? The ZK Vault Snap helps you do it without revealing the underlying data.
3. Verified off-chain data via Guardians: You’ll work with trusted entities called “Guardians” to get your data verified and loaded into your ZK Vault Snap.
4. a. Note: Guardians can’t link your blockchain address to any documents you give them.

Simplified ‘Galactica ZK Vault’ Snap tech implementation

zkKYC Guide

1. Choose a Guardian: Select a trusted data guardian from the list on the Galactica passport interface.

2. Submit Required Documentation: Provide the guardian with requested data and documentation, often conforming to standard KYC practices.
3. Guardian Verification: The guardian securely sends you an encrypted copy of your attested data that you can import into your Galactica ZK Vault Snap.
4. Generate Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Using the ZK Vault Snap, you can now generate zero-knowledge proofs based on your Guardian-verified data to interact with dapps, services, and people on Galactica Network.
You can watch the following YouTube Shorts for a TLDR of the zkKYC process — the first video demonstrates the UX in its current form, while the second offers a sneak-peak into our upcoming Cypher Book UX!
Current UX:

Galactica Network's DevNet - zkKYC

In today's clip, we provide a guide for users of our public DevNet. By following the simple steps presented in this…
www.youtube.com

Upcoming Cypher Book UX:

Introducing: Your Cypher Book

Are you ready to take control of your Web3 experience? Unveiling the Galactica Cypher Book - your gateway to privacy…
www.youtube.com

Running a Validator Node

It’s not just technical skill. Validators are trusted members of Galactica, and you should share our vision of a blockchain that puts real people, real privacy, and real-world rules first.

Your Validator Journey: In Brief

1. Gear Up: Make sure your hardware is ready, and familiarize yourself with the Galactica Network technical documentation.
2. Set Up Your Node: Follow the instructions in our developer docs to install and configure everything you need.
3. Apply as a Genesis Validator: To join, please follow this link: https://github.com/Galactica-corp/networks. If you have any questions, use the Testnet-discussion channel on Discord.
4. Stake Your Claim: To become a validator, you must stake some TestNet tokens ($UGNET). Details about how to get test tokens are on our TestNet Faucet page.
5. Start Validating: Your node will start participating in consensus, thereby securing the network. Be sure to maintain good uptime and reliability with your node — attention to quality may be rewarded in the future.
6. Keep Learning & Growing: This is just the beginning. Stay engaged with the community on Discord, keep up with updates, and become a true leader in the Cypher State’s governance during MainNet.

Things to remember:

• Citizenship is Key: On the Testnet, you can run a validator with only basic prerequisites, such as a simple registration process, but to be a MainNet Validator, you’ll need Galactica Network Citizenship (a GNC).Participate in our Voyager Arc TestNet campaign to earn yours, or learn about the many other ways on our Discord.You’ll Need Hardware That’s Up to the Task: While you can get started on the TestNet with modest requirements and a strong, reliable internet connection; you should know that as Galactica grows, these hardware demands will increase.

Here’s the minimum you need to start:

• Technical Know-How: You’ll need to be comfortable with Linux systems, command line interfaces, and the concepts around running nodes. Our developer documentation has all the details: https://docs.galactica.com/galactica-developer-documentation/validator-guideA Commitment to Security: Validators are responsible for the smooth operation and security of the network. Stay up-to-date on security best practices for your node.

Participation = Citizenship

As with our previous DevNet, Galactica will soon host a new Voyager Arc campaign for the TestNet, allowing active participants to earn Galactica Network Citizenships (GNCs), among other rewards.
To participate, you’ll simply need to fill out a registration form with your Discord ID, Github profile, email address, and an EVM-compatible wallet address.
Keep an eye on our social channels for the announcement; the form and the new Voyager Ark campaign will be announced soon.
Once registered, you’ll need to share your TestNet experiences on Twitter with the hashtag #GNET to earn our Discord server’s “DevNet/TestNet Participant” role. This achievement grants you access to exclusive channels, increased visibility within our community, and the ability to shape Galactica’s development — with the potential for even greater rewards in the future.
If you’re aiming for an Espada or Elysium rank in the Cypher State Campaign, participating in a Voyager Arc campaign (DevNEt or TestNet) is both educational and necessary.

Build the Sovereign Internet With Galactica

Galactica’s TestNet is the latest stage in our mission to enable user control, privacy, and regulatory compliance as standard. These are the foundations for the Cypher State and the new internet we are forming in the wider interoperable Web3.
More articles and explainers will follow as we progress through the Testnet phases and introduce new features like Proto-Governance v1.0 and Reputation v1.0. Your feedback is precious in this process, so get involved, follow the provided quests, create your own Validator Node, and let the Galactica team know what you think.
Remember, you can start earning your GNC Citizenship NFT with Galxe and Zealy — this is the time to begin your journey to the Cypher State!