Validator

A validator is a participant in a proof-of-stake blockchain responsible for checking transactions and helping add new blocks. Validators are the proof-of-stake equivalent of miners.

How it works

To become a validator, a participant locks up — stakes — a required amount of the network’s coin as collateral. The protocol then selects validators to propose and attest to new blocks, rewarding honest work with newly issued coins and fees. Misbehaviour, such as trying to confirm invalid blocks, can be punished by “slashing,” which destroys part of their stake.

Why it matters

Validators secure proof-of-stake networks using economic incentives rather than the energy-intensive computation of mining. The number and spread of validators is a key measure of how decentralized and secure such a network is.

Example

Someone who stakes the required amount and runs validator software helps secure the network and earns staking rewards.