# Overview

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**The Oxen Network has transitioned to the Session Network. More information** [**here**](https://oxen.io/blog/development-is-transitioning-to-session-token)**.** 
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The Oxen blockchain and the $OXEN token are at the heart of Oxen. Together they brought **privacy**, **incentivisation**, and **decentralisation** to the Oxen tech stack.

Oxen's blockchain was maintained by the [Oxen Service Node network](https://docs.oxen.io/oxen-docs/about-the-oxen-blockchain/oxen-service-nodes), a network of blockchain nodes operated by members of the Oxen community. Running a service node requires [*staking*](https://docs.oxen.io/oxen-docs/using-the-oxen-blockchain/oxen-service-node-guides/staking-to-shared-service-node) — which means voluntarily locking — a certain amount of $OXEN tokens.

The staking requirement to run a service node was **15,000 $OXEN** or **3,750 $OXEN** for a shared node.

In exchange for maintaining reliable and trustworthy blockchain nodes, node operators periodically received rewards in the form of $OXEN tokens.

Oxen was originally forked from [Monero](https://www.getmonero.org), and it's still based on the CryptoNote protocol. From these beginnings, Oxen has inherited world class privacy and security features — including ring signatures, stealth addresses, and ring confidential transactions. Just like $XMR, $OXEN is fungible, private, and untraceable.

The Oxen blockchain got started in 2018, with its first ever block being confirmed on March 5 of that year. Ever since then, the blockchain has been successfully and securely operating. On October 15 2019, we made the transition to [Pulse](https://docs.oxen.io/oxen-docs/about-the-oxen-blockchain/pulse-pos-on-oxen) — making Oxen one of the first ever Proof of Stake CryptoNote projects. The entire history of the Oxen blockchain can be easily viewed via [this](https://oxen.observer/) block explorer. As for the future, you can stay up to date on the project by checking out our [Oxen Labs Updates](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8foWl0AK1zG5PbYMunNlbHFpjcv44dKu).

The Oxen blockchain also boasts [Blink](https://docs.oxen.io/oxen-docs/about-the-oxen-blockchain/blink-instant-transactions) — truly private, instant transactions. Blink allows you to make transactions with all the confidence Monero enthusiasts love, but with a 1 second transaction time.