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Validators

This guide helps you understand and choose validators for delegation.

Active Validator Set​

Monolythium has 53 active validators at any time. Only the top 53 by total stake participate in consensus and earn rewards.

Choosing a Validator​

Key Factors​

FactorWhy It Matters
CommissionDirectly reduces your rewards
UptimeDowntime can lead to slashing
Self-delegationShows validator's own commitment
ReputationTrack record and community presence
InfrastructureGeographic and provider diversity

Commission Rates​

Validators charge commission on rewards:

Your Reward = Block Reward × Your Share × (1 - Commission)
CommissionYour Take
0%100% of your share
5%95% of your share
10%90% of your share
20%80% of your share

Lower commission = higher returns, but very low commission might indicate unsustainable operations.

Uptime​

Validators with poor uptime:

  • Miss blocks → Reduced rewards
  • Extended downtime → Jailed → No rewards
  • Slashing events → Your stake reduced

Check historical uptime before delegating.

Self-Delegation​

The validator's own stake shows:

  • Skin in the game
  • Long-term commitment
  • Shared incentives with delegators

Minimum self-delegation is 100,000 LYTH + 100,000 LYTH burn deposit.

Viewing Validators​

Block Explorer​

Visit the explorer to see:

  • Current validator set
  • Commission rates
  • Voting power
  • Uptime statistics

CLI​

# List all active validators
monod query staking validators --status=BOND_STATUS_BONDED

# View specific validator
monod query staking validator <validator-address>

Delegation Strategies​

Single Validator​

Simple but concentrated risk.

Multiple Validators​

Spread across several validators:

  • Reduces single-validator risk
  • Diversifies slashing exposure
  • May reduce rewards slightly (more claim transactions)
  1. Research 3-5 reputable validators
  2. Check their commission, uptime, and history
  3. Delegate across multiple validators
  4. Monitor periodically

Validator Information​

Identity​

Many validators set up Keybase identity for verification:

  • Profile picture
  • Website link
  • Social links
  • Description

Commission Parameters​

ParameterDescription
RateCurrent commission percentage
Max RateMaximum possible (can't exceed)
Max Change RateMaximum daily change

Max rate and max change rate are set at creation and cannot be increased.

Redelegation​

Move your stake between validators without unbonding:

monod tx staking redelegate <src-validator> <dst-validator> <amount>alyth \
  --from <your-key>
  • Immediate effect on new validator
  • No unbonding period
  • Cannot redelegate same tokens again for 3 days

Validator Warnings​

Watch for:

  • Frequently jailed - Indicates operational issues
  • 100% commission - Delegators earn nothing
  • No self-delegation - No skin in the game
  • Unknown identity - No verification or reputation

FAQ​

Can validators steal my tokens?

No. Validators can only sign blocks, not access your tokens. However, poor validator behavior can result in slashing.

What if my validator leaves the active set?

You stop earning rewards until they return, or you redelegate.

How many validators can I delegate to?

Unlimited. Delegate to as many as you want.

Can a validator change their commission?

Yes, but limited by their max change rate (e.g., 1% per day).