Blockchain Infrastructure

What is a validator in a blockchain network?

A validator is a participant in a proof-of-stake blockchain that verifies transactions and proposes or confirms new blocks, helping the network agree on a single shared record. Validators typically lock up, or stake, a quantity of the network's token as collateral, which can be reduced if they act dishonestly or go offline. For example, on Ethereum a validator stakes ETH and earns rewards for correctly attesting to valid blocks. The set of validators and how they are chosen shapes a network's security and decentralization, and is central to how consensus works.