A validator is a network node that runs specialized software to verify transaction authenticity and produce new blocks in Proof‑of‑Stake (PoS) blockchains. Operators lock up their own cryptoassets as a stake, which serves as an economic guarantee of honest behavior, and earn transaction fees plus newly minted tokens as rewards.
How to become a validator#
- Choose a PoS blockchain. Each network defines its own minimum stake and hardware requirements.
- Acquire the native token. For example, Ethereum requires 32 ETH, while Solana needs roughly 0.03 SOL plus daily transaction costs.
- Set up suitable hardware. Requirements vary, but typically include a dedicated server with ample SSD storage, reliable 24/7 internet connectivity, and sufficient bandwidth.
- Delegate the stake to the network’s validation contract. Larger stakes increase the probability of being selected for the active validator set.
Rewards#
Validators receive two primary income streams:
- Transaction fees – paid by users for processing their operations; fees are divided among all validators in the current validation round.
- Block issuance – newly created tokens are minted each time a validator produces a block and are distributed proportionally.
Validator in TON#
Running a validator on the TON network demands high‑performance equipment and a minimum stake of 300,000 TON. Smaller participants can join Nominator pools, which allow delegation of modest amounts of TON.
Nominator – an individual or entity that selects specific validators and delegates their TON to them.
Delegator – an individual or entity that transfers TON to a validator without choosing a particular node, receiving a share of the rewards.
Rewards in TON are allocated proportionally to each validator’s stake within the active set, supplemented by newly minted TON.
See also#
- TON
- Toncoin
- Staking