Validator
A participant in a proof-of-stake network that proposes and confirms blocks, putting staked coins at risk for honesty.
Validators are the proof-of-stake equivalent of miners. Instead of burning electricity, they lock up coins as collateral and take turns proposing and attesting to new blocks. Honest work earns rewards.
Cheat or go offline and the network can slash part of your stake. Running an Ethereum validator requires 32 ETH, though staking pools let smaller holders join. The economic stake is what keeps validators in line.
Related terms
A consensus method where validators lock up coins as collateral instead of burning electricity to secure the chain.
StakingLocking up tokens to help secure a proof-of-stake network and earn rewards, similar to interest on a deposit.
NodeA computer running a blockchain's software, keeping a copy of the ledger and relaying transactions to peers.
MinerA participant who spends computing power to solve proof-of-work puzzles and earn the right to add a block.