Validator Overhead

Definition ∞ Validator overhead refers to the operational costs and resource requirements for running a validator node in a proof-of-stake blockchain network. These costs include hardware expenses, energy consumption, network bandwidth, and the technical expertise needed to maintain continuous uptime and participate effectively in consensus. High overhead can limit participation to a smaller number of well-resourced entities, potentially impacting network decentralization. Optimizing this overhead is crucial for broadening validator accessibility.
Context ∞ Validator overhead is a significant discussion point in news concerning the decentralization and sustainability of proof-of-stake blockchains. Debates often focus on how protocol design choices, such as minimum stake requirements or hardware specifications, influence the cost barrier for new validators. Efforts to reduce validator overhead aim to foster a more distributed and resilient network of participants, thereby strengthening censorship resistance.