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Core DAO’s Validator Set Expansion Proposal

3 min read
Core DAO’s Validator Set Expansion Proposal

TL;DR:

Core DAO proposes a strategic initiative to expand the validator set on Core Chain from 21 to 31 validators by Q2 2025. Without affecting staking rewards for CORE stakers, BTC stakers, or miners, this gradual expansion over the next 12 months aims to enhance decentralization and incorporate reputable infrastructure providers. The proposal seeks the approval of the Core community to support this growth and strengthen the network's decentralization and resilience.

In a bid to further decentralization and add reputable infrastructure providers, Core DAO is proposing to expand the validator set from 21 to 31 validators by Q2 2025. With the goal of increasing the set gradually over the next 12 months.

What’s the Significance of Validators?

As a brief reminder, validators are the entities responsible for block production on Core Chain. Presently, 21 validators are elected to be part of the block production per cycle. The election process for the active validator set is based on a hybrid score that calculates how much hash power, staked CORE tokens, and staked BTC are delegated from BTC miners/mining pools, CORE stakers, and BTC stakers respectively. The 21 active validators with the most delegated hash power, CORE tokens, and BTC form that period’s validator set. For more detailed information, please see the Core Chain White Paper.

Why Expand the Validator Set from 21 to 31?

The Core validator set was always meant to expand over time. Expansion of the validator set means the Core network is becoming more decentralized, a north star for the Bitcoin-inspired blockchain. This modest expansion from 21 to 31 validators is a manageable, yet momentous step forward.

As for why now, the Core ecosystem has matured immensely, particularly in terms of reputable infrastructure providers. The quality of the validator set has increased substantially over time as institutions have come aboard. In fact, the demand from institutions to be part of the validator set has expanded beyond the supply. With so many reputable infrastructure providers showing interest, expanding the validator set is the natural next course of action.

What Does this Mean for the On-Chain Experience?

Virtually nothing changes in terms of the user experience. This modest expansion of the validator set should involve no drawbacks in terms of performance. With reputable institutional providers filling in the gaps, Core Chain will function as normal, yet now involving even more decentralization. It’s also important to note, that this proposal will not alter or change staking rewards for users. Including Core Staking, BTC staking, and Mining pools.

What are the Practical Next Steps?

This expansion represents a prime opportunity to exhibit Core Chain’s decentralized governance. The official vote on expansion will occur on Snapshot: https://snapshot.org/#/coredaogov.eth ]

The vote will occur in one week on May 30, 2024.

Ahead of the formal vote, Core community members are encouraged to share their feedback and opinions with Core Foundation and the rest of the community. Discord is presently the best medium for this activity.

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