Becoming a Validator

Overview:

A Validator is an independent individual who stakes their identity and is entrusted to maintain a node on the network that validates transactions and commits new blocks to the blockchain. Validators receive a reward in POA token for provisioning blocks.

Responsibilities:

A Validator has technical and social responsibilities, both of which are important for the health, performance and security of the network.

Technical Responsibilities:

Ensure node is secure by practicing safe key management
Maintain node requisite software version
Monitor node to ensure its availability and participation in consensus
Monitor network in general and communicate with other Validators, network entities if problems arise.

Participate in on-chain Governance of the network. A collection of DApps allow Validators to propose and vote on ballots to manage the network. The Ballot types include:
- Adding new Validators
- Removing Validators, i.e. for compromising security of network, malicious behavior, non-participation in Governance
- Updating/swapping of one of more Validator keys
- Changing the Approve Ballot Threshold
- Changing Consensus Proxy Contract
Participate in POA Network Community Forum

Visual Guide for Validators:

POA Validators & Candidates GuideForum

Eligibility Requirements for the Sokol Testnet

Candidates start out by posting an application to the forum. After some discussion about their desire to participate in the network, a current validator may nominate a candidate for the Sokol testnet. Current Sokol validators then vote on accepting the candidate. If accepted, the candidate must setup a node in order to become a validator on the testnet.

United States notary with a valid license ( or in the process of obtaining licensure )
Sign up and post in the POA Validators Introduction Forum.
Node Setup (AWS or non-AWS)