L1 Validator

Overview

L1 Validators are responsible for maintaining the Vana Layer 1 blockchain's security and consensus through a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism. At launch, these nodes will be run and operated by professional node operators and reputable institutions (PoSA), given the importance of prioritizing network stability and data security. As the network matures and achieves greater utilization, Vana plans to transition to a permissionless validator set in phases, aligning with the vision of a decentralized, user-owned data future.

For more details, refer to the Validator Setup documentation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Block Production: L1 Validators propose new blocks and ensure their validity, adding them to the blockchain.
• Transaction Validation: Validators confirm that transactions are legitimate, preventing double-spending or malicious activity.
• Network Security: Validators maintain the integrity of the blockchain by staking VANA tokens, which serve as collateral. Misbehavior, such as attempting to validate fraudulent transactions, can result in penalties (slashing) to their stake.
• Finalization: Validators ensure the finality of transactions and the immutability of data on the blockchain.
  How It Works:
• Staking: Validators are required to stake VANA tokens as collateral. The more VANA tokens staked, the higher the chance to propose and validate blocks. Max effective balance is 35K Vana.
• Consensus Mechanism: The network uses a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism, where validators are chosen to propose blocks based on the size of their stake.
• Block Rewards: Validators earn rewards in VANA tokens for their role in securing the network and validating transactions.
• Penalties for Misbehavior: Validators that act maliciously or fail to perform their duties are penalized through slashing, reducing their staked VANA tokens.

Hardware Requirements:

To operate efficiently and maintain the network, L1 Validators must meet specific hardware standards:

• Testnet
  • 2-core CPU
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 100 GB SSD
  • x86-64 architecture
• Mainnet
  • 8-core CPU
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 1.2 TB SSD
  • x86-64 architecture