Validator Downtime

Definition ∞ Validator Downtime refers to periods when a validator node in a proof-of-stake blockchain network is offline or unable to perform its duties, such as proposing and attesting to blocks. This can occur due to technical issues, network connectivity problems, or malicious intent. Downtime can result in penalties (slashing) for the validator and may reduce the overall security and liveness of the network. Minimizing downtime is critical for network stability and validator profitability.
Context ∞ News often reports on validator downtime, especially during network upgrades or periods of high congestion, as it impacts network performance and decentralization. Discussions frequently center on the economic incentives and penalties designed to encourage high validator uptime. Future developments involve more resilient node architectures, improved monitoring tools, and decentralized validator sets to enhance network fault tolerance and reduce downtime occurrences.