Nodes vs Validators
Different roles, one mission: keep the network sovereign, fast, and unstoppable.
| Capability | Node | Validator |
|---|---|---|
| Verifies chain data | ✓ | ✓ |
| Produces / signs blocks | ✕ | ✓ |
| Earns rewards | ✓ | ✓ |
| Relays data & serves RPC | ✓ | ✓ |
| Can be lightweight | ✓ | ✕ |
How nodes can earn
- Relay rewards: serve RPC / data relay for the ecosystem.
- Uptime incentives: improve network health and availability.
- Phase Zero bonuses: early infrastructure gets priority & rewards.
How validators earn
- Block rewards: proposing and signing blocks.
- Fees: gas / network fees routed through consensus.
- DAO incentives: governance + long-term ecosystem growth.