Become a Validator

Becoming a TON network validator requires access to high-performance hardware on a highly available network, as well as access to a large degree of Toncoin as a stake. Validators stake Toncoin for a fixed specific term, and the stake is refunded with interest after the completion of a validation round. Open-source software is available for those that wish to become validators.

Network validators verify user transactions. If all validators reach consensus that a transaction is valid, it is included in the blockchain. Invalid transactions are rejected. Therefore, validators have to correctly process user transactions at maximum speed to get rewarded and avoid penalties.

Users send a small surplus amount of Toncoin to their transaction that represents a reward to validators for their work. This amount is distributed proportionally to the stake of validators elected in the given validation cycle.

Additionally, new Toncoins are generated during validation. These also go to validators. Overall annual coin inflation is about 0.6%.

By design, any attempt to cheat in the Catchain Protocol is instantly detected. Upon the receipt of mathematical proof of cheating, other validators immediately stop interacting with a cheater node. Then validators hold an automated vote to fine the cheater, which consequently loses part - or all - of its stake.