What is Validator?
A node that proposes and attests blocks in a proof-of-stake network.
Validators stake the network's token and are rewarded for correct work. Provable misbehaviour burns part of their stake; being offline loses rewards without slashing.
Concentration matters: if a handful of operators run most of the stake, the network's security guarantee is narrower than the token count suggests.
Related terms
- Proof of stakeBasics
Consensus by locking tokens to propose and attest blocks, with slashing for misbehaviour.
- StakingDeFi
Locking tokens to back a network or a protocol, usually for a yield of new issuance or fees.
- Consensus mechanismBasics
The rule that decides which version of a chain's history is correct — proof of work or proof of stake.