The Web3 Foundation have created a Thousand Validators Programme for Polkadot. It is possible for validators to apply now and follow the validator setup instructions to become eligible to receive nominations from the Web3 Foundation to help kickstart the Polkadot node. By being a part of the program, it will be possible for users to support the strength of the network contributing to the shared security of Polkadot thus creating more decentralization.

Polkadot tweeted:  “Introducing Polkadot’s Thousand Validators Programme! Join the programme to receive nominations from Web3Foundation to help kickstart you node, and strengthen the network by contributing to Polkadot’s shared security and creating more decentralization.”

It is important to note that the Thousand Validators Program has been running successfully on the Kusama since February 2020. 

Important to note that Kusama is Polkadot’s “wild cousin” and the canary network has further increased the validators from 25 at launch to nearly 700 validators.  The motion has been recently passed which will increase the process further to 900. Furthering the supporting decentralization in Polkadot, the Web3 Foundation are also extending the Kusama 1,000 Validators Programme thus permitting participants to run multiple eligible nodes.

More of users are interested in joining the Polkadot Thousand Validators Program.

Polkadot (DOT) Validator Responsibility

The Polkadot (DOT) validator responsibility needs technical skills and also reliability. Several factors are required to ensure this.  To become a validator one should have experience as a validator in the Kusama Thousand Validators Program with a reputation rank of 25 or higher. This take around 3 years of experience.

The validator should have a verified on-chain identity on Polkadot and Kusama.  This starts with a minimum stash of 10,000 DOT’s.  The validator nodes connect to a dedicated telemetry server and there is a maximum of 3% charged in commission.  The reward destination should also be staked.  There needs to be one-week of monitoring that should be ensured to provide for stable operations.

All the nodes should be upgraded to the latest version within 12 hours of release in cases it is labeled as “critical” or “high” priority and within 24 hours if it is labeled as “medium” or “low” priority.

If there are more applications for become validators, Validators with less than 10,000 DOT that is self-staked will still be considered on a case-by-case basis.  They will have to make a case for good-intentions.

Polkadot is empowering innovators to build better solutions.  They are looking to free the society from its reliance on a broken web where its large institutions can’t violate our trust.