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Overview

Validators are the backbone of the GenLayer network, running nodes that secure the blockchain and enable intelligent contract execution. This guide covers everything you need to know about the validator role.

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What is a Validator?

Validators in GenLayer:

Run Nodes

Operate GenLayer validator nodes that participate in consensus

Validate Transactions

Process and validate transactions on the network

Earn Rewards

Receive points for uptime and network participation

Maintain Network

Ensure network health and security

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Validator Journey

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Path to Becoming a Validator

1

Join the Waitlist

Navigate to Validators > Waitlist or go to /validators/waitlist/join.Complete the waitlist form:
  • Must be authenticated (wallet connected)
  • Profile must be complete (name and email)
  • Click “Join Waitlist” to register interest
2

Earn Points

Build your reputation through contributions:
  • Submit builder contributions
  • Participate in the community
  • Help other members
  • Climb the leaderboard
Higher-ranking participants are prioritized for validator slots.
3

Receive Invitation

Top contributors receive invitations to:
  • Set up validator infrastructure
  • Deploy validator nodes
  • Join Testnet Asimov
4

Deploy Your Node

Follow validator setup documentation:
  • Install node software
  • Configure validator wallet
  • Register on-chain
  • Start validating
5

Link Validator Wallets

Connect your on-chain validator to your profile:
  • Go to Edit Profile (/profile)
  • Find “Link to Operator Wallet” section
  • Enter your operator address
  • Click “Link Wallets”
This enables automatic uptime tracking.
6

Keep Node Updated

When new node versions release:
  • Upgrade your node software
  • Update node version in profile
  • Submit “Node Upgrade” contribution
  • Earn upgrade points

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Validator Requirements

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Technical Requirements

Minimum specifications:
  • CPU: 4 cores (8 recommended)
  • RAM: 8GB (16GB recommended)
  • Storage: 100GB SSD
  • Network: Stable broadband (10+ Mbps)
  • Uptime: 24/7 operation recommended

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Operational Requirements

Validators must maintain high uptime to earn maximum points and contribute to network health.
  • Monitor Node: Regularly check node status
  • Stay Updated: Upgrade to new versions promptly
  • Maintain Uptime: Minimize downtime
  • Security: Secure your operator wallet and private keys
  • Backup: Regular backups of node data

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Validator Setup

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Initial Setup

Follow the official GenLayer validator documentation:
  • Download the latest node release
  • Extract and install
  • Verify installation: genlayer --version
Your operator wallet controls your validator:
  • Generate new wallet OR import existing
  • Fund with testnet tokens (for gas)
  • Secure private key (never share!)
  • This is NOT your GenLayer Points profile wallet
Edit node configuration:
  • Set operator wallet address
  • Configure network endpoints
  • Set stake amount
  • Configure identity (moniker, website, etc.)
Create your validator on-chain:
genlayer validator create \
  --operator <OPERATOR_ADDRESS> \
  --stake <AMOUNT> \
  --moniker "Your Validator Name"
This creates a validator wallet contract on GenLayer.
Launch your validator node:
genlayer start
Monitor logs to ensure:
  • Successful connection to network
  • Block sync in progress
  • No errors

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Linking to GenLayer Points

1

Find Your Operator Address

This is the wallet address you used in step 2 above.
2

Navigate to Edit Profile

Go to /profile or click your name > Edit Profile.
3

Scroll to Validator Section

Find the “Link to Operator Wallet” field.
4

Enter Operator Address

Paste your operator wallet address (starts with 0x).
5

Click Link Wallets

System queries the blockchain:
  • Finds all validator wallets controlled by this operator
  • Associates them with your GenLayer Points profile
  • Enables automatic uptime tracking
Once linked, your daily uptime is tracked automatically. No manual submission needed for uptime points.

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Node Version Management

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Checking Current Version

genlayer --version

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Updating Node Version

When a new version is released:
1

Check for New Version

Announcements appear in:
  • Discord validator channel
  • GenLayer Points dashboard alerts
  • Your profile (yellow warning if outdated)
2

Download New Version

Follow official upgrade documentation:
  • Stop current node
  • Backup data (if required)
  • Download new release
  • Replace binaries
3

Upgrade

Follow version-specific upgrade steps:
  • Database migrations (if any)
  • Configuration changes (if any)
  • Test in staging (if available)
4

Restart Node

Start node with new version:
genlayer start
Verify successful upgrade in logs.
5

Update Profile

Update your node version in GenLayer Points:
  • Go to Edit Profile
  • Find Node Version field (in Validator section)
  • Enter new version (e.g., 0.3.9)
  • Click Save
6

Submit Contribution

Earn points for upgrading:
  • Go to Submit Contribution
  • Select “Node Upgrade” type
  • Add evidence (optional)
  • Submit for review

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Version Targeting

GenLayer sets target versions for validators:
Your profile shows if your node matches the target version.
Status Indicators:
  • ✅ Green: Your node matches target version
  • ⚠️ Yellow: Your node needs updating

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Upgrade Points

  • Earn 10-50 points per node upgrade
  • Points awarded after steward verification
  • Prompt upgrades may receive bonus points

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Earning Points as a Validator

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Daily Uptime (Automatic)

Tracked automatically once validator wallets are linked.
  • Frequency: Daily
  • Points: Fixed daily amount (e.g., 10 points/day)
  • Requirement: Node online and participating
  • No submission needed: Automatic

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Node Upgrades (Manual)

  • Frequency: Each new version release
  • Points: 10-50 per upgrade
  • Requirement: Upgrade node + update profile + submit contribution

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Network Participation (Manual)

  • Frequency: Monthly summaries
  • Points: 20-100 based on activity
  • Requirement: Active participation in consensus
  • Evidence: Explorer links, stats screenshots

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Bug Reports (Manual)

  • Frequency: As discovered
  • Points: 10-200 based on severity
  • Requirement: Detailed bug report
  • Evidence: GitHub issue, reproduction steps

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Validator Dashboard

Your validator profile shows:

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Current Status

  • Node Version: Current vs. target
  • Linked Wallets: Count of validator wallets
  • Uptime: Current uptime percentage
  • Total Points: Cumulative validator points

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Validator Wallets

Each linked wallet displays:
  • Address: Validator wallet contract address
  • Status: Active, Quarantined, Banned, or Inactive
  • Operator: Controlling operator address
  • Stake: Self-stake (v_stake) and delegated stake (d_stake)
  • Moniker: Validator name (if set)

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Wallet Statuses

✅ Validator is operational and earning rewards

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Monitoring Your Validator

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Node Health Checks

Regularly verify: 
# Check if node is running
genlayer status

# View recent logs
genlayer logs --tail 100

# Check peer connections
genlayer peers

# View current block height
genlayer block height

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GenLayer Explorer

Use GenLayer Explorer to:
  • View your validator address
  • Check validation history
  • Monitor stake amounts
  • See recent transactions

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Points Dashboard

On GenLayer Points:
  • Check your validator profile status
  • View uptime tracking
  • Monitor contribution submissions
  • Track leaderboard position

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Common Issues

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Node Not Syncing

Symptoms: Block height not increasing Solutions:
  • Check network connectivity
  • Verify peer connections
  • Check firewall/port forwarding
  • Restart node
  • Resync from genesis (last resort)

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Uptime Not Tracked

Symptoms: No automatic uptime contributions Solutions:
  • Verify validator wallets are linked in profile
  • Check operator address is correct
  • Ensure node is actually online
  • Wait 24 hours for first uptime entry

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Version Mismatch Warning

Symptoms: Yellow warning in profile Solutions:
  • Upgrade node to target version
  • Update node version field in profile
  • Submit node upgrade contribution

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Validator Wallet Not Found

Symptoms: “No validator wallets found” when linking Solutions:
  • Verify operator address is correct (case-insensitive)
  • Confirm validator is registered on-chain
  • Check you’re using operator address, not validator address
  • Wait for blockchain sync

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Security Best Practices

Secure Operator Wallet

  • Never share private key
  • Use hardware wallet if possible
  • Backup securely
  • Separate from personal funds

Server Security

  • Use firewall
  • Disable unnecessary services
  • Keep OS updated
  • Use SSH keys (not passwords)

Monitor Activity

  • Set up alerting
  • Check logs daily
  • Monitor uptime
  • Watch for anomalies

Backup Regularly

  • Backup node data
  • Backup configurations
  • Test restores
  • Store off-server

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Validator Incentives

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Testnet Phase

During GenLayer Testnet:
  • Earn points for participation
  • Climb leaderboard
  • Build reputation
  • Test network features

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Mainnet Future

Testnet participation may influence mainnet opportunities.
Potential benefits:
  • Priority for mainnet validator slots
  • Airdrop allocations
  • Early access to features
  • Recognition in ecosystem

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Validator Resources

Documentation

Official validator setup guides

Discord

#validators channel for support

Explorer

View on-chain validator data

Status Page

Network health and metrics

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Next Steps

Submit Contributions

Start earning points to climb the leaderboard

Contribution Types

View validator-specific contribution types

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