All over the world, people take their first steps in crypto every day. Often, after buying their first tokens, they start trying staking. But it has a foundation without which it is impossible - validators. In this article, we will talk about what validators in blockchain are and why they are needed.
Key Takeaways
- Ethereum has passed 1,000,000 active validators and over 35 million ETH staked - making it one of the most decentralized networks in the world.
- In Solana, more than 410 million SOL are staked - about 67% of the total supply. Such a high staking rate makes the network strong and attractive for long-term delegators.
What Are Validators in Crypto?
Validators are nodes (computers with special software) in a blockchain that uses the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) algorithm. They are run by people or companies and work thanks to tokens placed in staking, which serve as collateral for participating in the network.
Proof-of-Stake (PoS) - an algorithm where network security is ensured through staking tokens. It works in Ethereum, Cardano, Solana, Polkadot, Cosmos, and dozens of other modern blockchains.
What Is Staking?
Staking is when you delegate your tokens to the network and temporarily “lock” them. While they are locked, they help the blockchain operate, and in return you receive rewards.
The Role of Validators in Blockchain
Validators are the foundation of network security. They check transactions between users and record them in the shared “ledger” - new blocks. This keeps the blockchain honest and transparent. To take part, a validator puts down a deposit in tokens (stake). If they try to cheat the system or work unreliably, part of this deposit is taken away - this is called slashing. For example, in BNB Chain, if a validator is offline for about 10 minutes, they are fined 10 BNB and removed from the active set for two days. On the other hand, the more tokens are staked, the higher the chance that this validator will be chosen to create a block and receive staking rewards.
Why Are Validators Important for Users?
Validators are basically the “engine” of a blockchain: they keep the network running and make it stable. Let’s look at why their work is important for regular crypto users.
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Network Stability and Security: Without enough reliable nodes, a blockchain cannot properly confirm transactions. The more independent validators there are, the higher the decentralization and resilience of the system. For example, the Solana network is spread across more than 6,300 nodes in 47 countries, with about 1,400 actively staked and taking part in consensus. Even if some of them go offline, the others keep the network running without interruption.
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Earning Opportunities: For crypto holders, validators are a way to earn staking rewards - this is their staking income. Instead of just keeping coins in a wallet, users can delegate them to a validator and receive a share of the crypto rewards. The return depends on the specific network and the chosen validator. For instance, Cosmos (ATOM) is often called one of the most profitable staking networks, with yields reaching 19–20% per year. For example, staking ATOM worth $10,000 could bring about $2,000 in staking income in one year (as of September 2025).
Validators in Popular Networks: Ethereum, Solana, Tron, and BNB Chain
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at how validators work in different popular blockchains - each network has its own specifics.
➤ Ethereum Staking Validators
To become a validator in ETH staking, you need to deposit at least 32 ETH and keep your node running without interruptions. More than 35 million ETH are already staked in the network, and the number of active validators has passed 1 million. The rewards in Ethereum staking are relatively modest - about 3–4% per year - but they are considered stable.
Ethereum today has over 1 million active validators and more than 35 million ETH staked, showing its strong decentralization. Source: beaconcha.in
➤ Solana Staking Validators
In Solana, anyone can become a validator, but the hardware requirements are very high: you need a server with 128+ GB of RAM and a gigabit internet connection. More than 410 million SOL are already staked - about 67% of the total supply. Rewards in Solana staking are higher than in Ethereum: on average 6–7% per year, while inflation stays around 8% and is gradually decreasing.
➤ TRON Staking Validators
In TRON staking, instead of thousands of validators, there are only 27 Super Representatives (SRs) chosen by TRX holders. This setup provides high speed and almost free transfers. For delegators, annual rewards in Tron staking are about 4%.
➤ BNB Chain Staking Validators
BNB Chain can have up to 55 validators, but only 32 are active at the same time - those with the largest stake. To join this set, you need at least 10,000 BNB as your own deposit. Staking rewards in BNB staking mostly come from transaction fees, with annual returns of 5–7%.
We have reviewed four popular networks and seen how differently the work of validators can be organized. Now it’s time to talk about what criteria to consider when choosing whom to delegate your tokens to.
How to Choose a Reliable Validator
When you stake tokens, it’s important to remember one thing: they always stay on the blockchain, you don’t lose them. But the amount of income from staking depends on how responsibly the validator works. That’s why it’s important to know the key criteria for choosing a reliable validator:
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High Uptime (Node Reliability): The validator should be online almost all the time; otherwise, part of the staking rewards may be lost.
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Low Fees: A validator keeps only a small percentage for their work and distributes the rest among delegators.
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Reputation and Experience: Choose those who have been in the network for a long time and have already proven themselves. In Solana, for example, validators like Everstake and Stakin are popular because of their strong reputation and community trust.
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Low Risk of Slashing: Reliable teams monitor their nodes 24/7, apply updates on time, and avoid violations.
How Gem Wallet Made the Staking Process Simple and Secure
It can be difficult to understand all the details of how validators work, especially for beginners. But here’s the good news: to start staking crypto, you don’t need to search for the perfect validator or monitor their performance yourself. Gem Wallet takes care of this - it is the best wallet for staking crypto. A modern multi-currency wallet for iOS and Android, it supports staking across all popular networks. Inside the app, a smart and secure approach to validators is implemented:
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Verified Validators List: When you decide to stake SOL, TRX, ETH, or other tokens, you don’t need to waste time searching online. The app already provides a list of 30+ reliable validators for each network - Gem Wallet works with leading staking providers (Ankr, Everstake, AllNodes, Stakin, and others). You still have the option to choose a validator yourself and, if needed, redelegate your stake to another one.
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Security and Self-Custody: Gem Wallet is a self-custody wallet, which means only you control your private keys and coins. The app is fully open-source, so its code is open and transparent for review. There are no validators with a history of hacks or serious slashing in the list.
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Wide Token Support: With Gem, you can stake all major tokens - ETH, BNB, SOL, ATOM, TRX, TON, SUI, and many more.
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Multichain Solution: One wallet for 100+ networks. No need to install dozens of apps - wallet combines everything in one place. This is especially convenient if you have a diversified portfolio. For example, some assets in Ethereum, some in Cosmos, and some in Solana - all can be staked from one interface.
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Simple Interface: Staking takes just a couple of taps. Select a token, press “Stake”, enter the amount, and choose a validator - done, your tokens start earning rewards. Even if you’ve just learned the word “validator”, with Gem Wallet you can stake like a pro.
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All-in-One App: Gem Wallet is not only for staking. You can store crypto, swap millions of tokens through the built-in DEX aggregator (for example, BTC to ETH or SOL to BNB), buy crypto with a credit card, work with NFTs, and connect to DApps via WalletConnect.
Solana staking: amount to stake, validator selection from the list, transaction confirmation
