What is Steem? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Steem at a glance.

Steem launched in 2016 as a Layer 1 blockchain built specifically for social media and content applications, where posting, voting, and curation are recorded on chain. It uses delegated proof of stake, so a fixed set of elected block producers, called witnesses, secures the network. Here is how it works and what it is used for, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

n/a

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Steem. Updated Jun 8, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

STEEM

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live STEEM price.

How it works

How Steem works.

Steem secures its chain with delegated proof of stake. Token holders vote for a set of block producers, known as witnesses, using their staked weight. The top witnesses take turns producing blocks roughly every 3 seconds, with one new block from each in rotation. Because only the elected witnesses produce blocks, the chain reaches high throughput with short, regular block times.

Consensus: Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS)

Steem secures its chain with delegated proof of stake. Token holders vote for a set of block producers, known as witnesses, using their staked weight. The top witnesses take turns producing blocks roughly every 3 seconds, with one new block from each in rotation. Because only the elected witnesses produce blocks, the chain reaches high throughput with short, regular block times.

Witnesses

Witnesses are the elected block producers. Token holders vote for them, and the top witnesses take turns producing blocks and maintaining the network.

STEEM and Steem Power

STEEM is the liquid native token. Holders can lock it into Steem Power, which represents staked influence and gives more weight to votes on posts and witnesses.

On-chain social actions

Posts, comments, votes, and rewards are recorded directly on the blockchain, so content applications can read and write the same shared state.

Resource-based fees

Rather than charging a fee per transaction, Steem allocates throughput based on staked weight, so everyday actions cost effectively nothing in direct fees.

Ecosystem & usage

What Steem is used for.

Steem powers social and content applications that read and write posts, votes, and rewards on the shared chain.

Social and blogging apps

Applications use Steem to store posts, comments, and votes on chain so content and reputation are portable across front-ends.

Content rewards

Authors and curators can earn STEEM-based rewards distributed by the protocol according to votes.

Witness voting

Holders use their staked weight to vote for witnesses, influencing who produces blocks and governs the chain.

In Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend STEEM.

Steem is integrated in Zypto App. Hold STEEM in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold STEEM in Zypto How to buy STEEM

Be the reason Steem ships next.

Steem isn’t in Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

What is Steem?

Steem is a Layer 1 blockchain launched in 2016 and built for social media and content applications. It records posts, votes, and rewards on chain and uses delegated proof of stake.

What is STEEM used for?

STEEM is the native token. It is used for content rewards, can be locked into Steem Power for voting weight, and is involved in network operation.

What are witnesses on Steem?

Witnesses are the block producers elected by token holders. The top witnesses take turns producing blocks every few seconds and help govern the network.

What is Steem Power?

Steem Power is STEEM that has been staked into the network. It represents influence, giving an account more weight when voting on content and on witnesses.

Can I hold STEEM in Zypto App?

Not yet. STEEM isn't in Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Steem using the "Request Steem" button above.

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