Validator
A validator is a participant in a proof-of-stake network that locks up coins as a deposit and in return checks transactions, proposes new blocks and earns rewards.
How it works
In proof-of-stake networks validators replace miners. Each one deposits a stake, collateral in the network's coin. The protocol picks validators to propose blocks and vote on others' blocks. Honest work earns rewards, while breaking the rules can cost part of the stake (slashing).
Running your own Ethereum validator takes 32 ETH, a server that runs around the clock and technical skills. That is why most people do not run one themselves but delegate, join pools or use liquid staking.
The more independent validators there are, the harder it is for one group to control the network. If most of the stake sits with a few operators, the network is less decentralized even with thousands of validators on paper.
You run a validator with 32 ETH. At about 3% a year it earns ~0.96 ETH. If the server is offline 10% of the time, you miss roughly a tenth of rewards and pay small penalties for missed duties, ending up with around 0.8 ETH for the year.
A common mistake is running the same validator key on two servers "for redundancy". That can cause a double signature, and the network slashes the stake and ejects the validator for it. Downtime only costs small penalties, while duplication costs far more.
Questions and answers
What is a validator in simple terms?
It is a computer with coins locked as a deposit that checks and adds blocks to the network. It earns rewards for the work and loses part of the deposit for cheating.
How much ETH do you need to be a validator?
Running your own Ethereum validator requires 32 ETH. With less, you can take part through pools and liquid staking.
What is the difference between a validator and a miner?
A miner spends electricity on computation, a validator locks coins as collateral. Both earn rewards for producing blocks.
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Updated: 2026-10-19