Validator Node Requirements
This document outlines the hardware, software, and staking requirements for operating a Validator Node.
Hardware Requirements
Validator nodes require reliable infrastructure with adequate storage capacity for running protocol services and monitoring systems.
Compute
CPU
Multi-core processor with good single-thread performance.
- Cores: 8-16 cores
- Base Clock: 3.0+ GHz
- Recommended Processors: Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9
RAM
- Specification: 64 GB DDR4
- Purpose: Running monitoring infrastructure (Prometheus, Grafana) alongside data storage services
GPU
- Specification: Not required (integrated graphics sufficient)
Storage
- Specification: 1-2 TB NVMe SSD for historical data, ML models, and monitoring databases
- Configuration: Single NVMe sufficient for testnet, RAID recommended for mainnet
Networking
- Bandwidth: 500 Mbps+ symmetric connection
- Latency: <100ms to peer nodes and RPC endpoints acceptable
- Static IP: Required
Power and Cooling
- Power Supply: 650W+ (80+ Bronze or better)
- UPS: 20+ minutes runtime
- Cooling: Drive temperatures <45°C
Software Requirements
- Operating System: 64-bit Linux (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later recommended)
- Container Runtime: Docker (for running the node and monitoring stack)
- Monitoring: Prometheus and Grafana for metrics and alerting
- Network (testnet): Base Sepolia. The testnet is live now (Q4 2026, current phase). Mainnet is targeted for Q3 2027.
Staking Requirements
Operating a Validator node requires staking NODR. Stake amounts are fixed per tier on-chain:
- Validator stake: 25,000 NODR (≈ $17,500 at the $0.70/NODR reference price)
- Unstaking period: 21 days (unified across all tiers)
For context, the full tier stake ladder is:
| Tier | NODR Stake | USD (at $0.70/NODR) |
|---|---|---|
| Micro | 0 | $0 |
| Validator | 25,000 | $17,500 |
| Guardian | 50,000 | $35,000 |
| Oracle | 150,000 | $105,000 |
Notes:
- The on-chain UtilityNFT is free / protocol-minted. Any node-sale package prices are separate and are not on-chain NFT prices.
- Validator voting power is tier-based (Micro 1× / Validator 2× / Guardian 4× / Oracle 7×).
- Node rewards are a revenue share (the node pool receives 40% of protocol revenue, split 30/30/30/10), not a fixed per-tier APY.
- Guardian and Oracle tiers have additional gating: Guardian requires governance approval plus an NFT; Oracle requires election (66% Oracle supermajority) plus an NFT.
Estimated Costs
- Initial Investment: $3,000 - $6,000
- Monthly Operating Costs: $100 - $200