What is Validator?

A validator is a computer, run by a person or organisation, that helps operate a proof-of-stake blockchain. Validators check transactions, propose new blocks, and vote on the chain’s state. In exchange for doing this honestly and reliably, they earn staking rewards, which are often shared with people who delegated to them.

For someone earning through staking, choosing a good validator matters. A reliable validator with high uptime and no history of penalties keeps your rewards flowing, while a careless one can suffer slashing that eats into the stake delegated to it.

Example: instead of running your own validator, which requires technical skill and a minimum stake, you delegate your tokens to an established validator and share in the rewards it produces.

Safety note: delegating usually does not hand over custody of your coins, but it does tie your rewards to that validator’s conduct. Research commission rates, uptime, and reputation. Be wary of validators promising unusually high returns, as those claims can mask hidden risks. Related terms include delegation, slashing, staking, and proof of stake.