diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 816aaeb..da63398 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # ORE
 
-**ORE is a fair-launch, proof-of-work, digital currency everyone can mine.**
+**ORE is a fair launch, proof of work, digital currency everyone can mine.**
 
 
 ## API
diff --git a/program/src/mine.rs b/program/src/mine.rs
index f60b8a5..758b19c 100644
--- a/program/src/mine.rs
+++ b/program/src/mine.rs
@@ -86,6 +86,14 @@ pub fn process_mine<'a, 'info>(
         return Err(OreError::HashInvalid.into());
     }
 
+    // Reject spam transactions.
+    let t: i64 = clock.unix_timestamp;
+    let t_target = proof.last_hash_at.saturating_add(ONE_MINUTE);
+    let t_spam = t_target.saturating_sub(TOLERANCE);
+    if t.lt(&t_spam) {
+        return Err(OreError::Spam.into());
+    }
+
     // Validate hash satisfies the minimnum difficulty.
     let hash = solution.to_hash();
     let difficulty = hash.difficulty();
@@ -107,8 +115,10 @@ pub fn process_mine<'a, 'info>(
     // If user has greater than or equal to the max stake on the network, they receive 2x multiplier.
     // Any stake less than this will receives between 1x and 2x multipler. The multipler is only active
     // if the miner's last stake deposit was more than one minute ago.
-    let t = clock.unix_timestamp;
-    if config.top_staker_balance.gt(&0) && proof.last_stake_at.saturating_add(ONE_MINUTE).le(&t) {
+    if config.max_stake.gt(&0) 
+        && proof.balance.gt(&0)
+        && proof.last_stake_at.saturating_add(ONE_MINUTE).le(&t)
+    {
         let staking_reward = (reward as u128)
             .checked_mul(proof.balance.min(config.top_staker_balance) as u128)
             .unwrap()
@@ -117,13 +127,6 @@ pub fn process_mine<'a, 'info>(
         reward = reward.checked_add(staking_reward).unwrap();
     }
 
-    // Reject spam transactions.
-    let t_target = proof.last_hash_at.saturating_add(ONE_MINUTE);
-    let t_spam = t_target.saturating_sub(TOLERANCE);
-    if t.lt(&t_spam) {
-        return Err(OreError::Spam.into());
-    }
-
     // Apply liveness penalty.
     let t_liveness = t_target.saturating_add(TOLERANCE);
     if t.gt(&t_liveness) {