Choose a Validator
Choosing the right validator(s) is crucial for maximizing rewards and minimizing risk. This guide helps you make informed decisions.
Why Validator Choice Matters
Your validator affects:
- 📈 Rewards - Uptime and efficiency
- 💸 Costs - Commission rates
- 🛡️ Risk - Slashing potential
- 🗳️ Governance - They vote on your behalf if you don't
Key Selection Criteria
1. Uptime/Performance
Higher uptime = more rewards. Look for:
- 99%+ uptime
- Consistent block signing
- No recent downtime events
Where to check: Block explorers, validator dashboards
2. Commission Rate
Commission is the validator's cut of rewards:
| Commission | Impact on 100 NAM reward |
|---|---|
| 0% | You get 100 NAM |
| 5% | You get 95 NAM |
| 10% | You get 90 NAM |
| 20% | You get 80 NAM |
Note: Lower isn't always better. 0% commission may be unsustainable.
3. Self-Stake
Amount the validator has staked themselves:
- Higher self-stake = more "skin in the game"
- Aligned incentives with delegators
- More to lose from slashing
4. Total Stake
Consider validator size:
| Size | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Large | More stable, proven track record | Reduces decentralization |
| Medium | Balance of stability and decentralization | May have less track record |
| Small | Helps decentralization | Potentially less stable |
5. Reputation & Community
Research the validator:
- How long have they been validating?
- Active in community?
- Responsive to issues?
- Contributions to ecosystem?
6. Infrastructure
Technical setup matters:
- Where are servers located?
- Redundancy/backup systems?
- Security measures?
- Professional operation?
Where to Find Validator Info
Block Explorers
- Check validator pages on Namada explorers
- View uptime statistics
- See historical performance
Validator Websites
Many validators have dedicated websites with:
- Team information
- Infrastructure details
- Contact methods
- Contributions to ecosystem
Community Resources
- Discord validator channels
- Forum discussions
- Social media
Red Flags to Avoid
🚩 Warning signs:
| Red Flag | Why It's Concerning |
|---|---|
| 0% commission | Unsustainable, may raise later |
| Very high commission (over 20%) | Excessive fees |
| Poor uptime (under 95%) | Missing rewards |
| No self-stake | No skin in the game |
| No online presence | Hard to contact |
| Recent slashing events | Risk of future issues |
| Extremely large stake | Centralization risk |
Diversification Strategy
Don't put all eggs in one basket:
Recommended Approach
Total to stake: 1000 NAM
Allocation:
├── Validator A (top tier): 300 NAM (30%)
├── Validator B (medium, community): 250 NAM (25%)
├── Validator C (medium, technical): 200 NAM (20%)
├── Validator D (smaller, support decentralization): 150 NAM (15%)
└── Validator E (emerging): 100 NAM (10%)
Benefits of Diversification
- Reduced slashing risk - If one is slashed, others aren't
- Uptime averaging - Some downtime balanced by others
- Governance diversity - Multiple voting perspectives
- Network health - Supports decentralization
Validator Comparison Template
Use this checklist when comparing:
| Criteria | Validator A | Validator B | Validator C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uptime | 99.9% | 98.5% | 99.7% |
| Commission | 5% | 3% | 7% |
| Self-stake | 50,000 NAM | 10,000 NAM | 100,000 NAM |
| Total stake | 2M NAM | 500K NAM | 5M NAM |
| Time active | 2 years | 6 months | 3 years |
| Community presence | High | Medium | High |
| Score | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Supporting Decentralization
The network is healthier when stake is spread out:
The Nakamoto Coefficient
- Measures how many validators could collude to attack
- Higher = more decentralized
- Your delegation affects this!
How You Can Help
- Avoid top validators - They likely have enough stake
- Support mid-tier validators - Help them grow
- Research smaller validators - Some are excellent
- Rotate occasionally - Spread stake over time
Staking for Governance
Validators vote on governance proposals. Consider:
- Do they align with your views?
- Are they active in governance?
- Do they communicate votes?
You can override their vote by voting yourself!
When to Change Validators
Consider redelegating if:
- ⚠️ Uptime drops significantly
- ⚠️ Commission increases unexpectedly
- ⚠️ Validator is slashed
- ⚠️ Validator becomes inactive
- ⚠️ Better options emerge
Use redelegation to move stake without the 21-day wait.
Validator List Resources
Find validators:
- Namada Staking Dashboard - Official
- Block Explorers - See staking section
- Community Curated Lists - Discord/Forum
Sample Validator Profiles
Type A: Infrastructure Provider
- 🏢 Professional data center operation
- 📊 99.99% uptime
- 💰 5-10% commission
- ✅ Good for: Reliability-focused delegators
Type B: Community Contributor
- 👥 Active in governance and community
- 📊 99%+ uptime
- 💰 5% commission
- ✅ Good for: Community-minded delegators
Type C: Emerging Validator
- 🌱 Newer, building track record
- 📊 Solid uptime but less history
- 💰 Lower commission to attract stake
- ✅ Good for: Supporting decentralization
FAQ
Does validator location matter?
For performance, distributed validators are good for the network. For you, it doesn't directly affect rewards.
Can I change validators easily?
Yes! Use redelegation to move stake instantly without unbonding.
Should I stake with exchanges?
Generally not recommended:
- Centralization concerns
- May not vote in your interest
- Less community contribution
How many validators should I use?
3-10 is a good range. More provides better risk distribution but requires more management.
Next Steps
Ready to stake?
- How to Stake - Start staking now
- Claim Rewards - Get your earnings
- Governance Basics - Participate in decisions