Kusama Thousand Validators Programme
Updated 15.04.24

The Thousand Validators Programme is an initiative by the Web3 Foundation to use funds to nominate validators in the community. By applying and following the setup instructions, we will consider your application. However, the ultimate decision regarding the application is up to a committee. 

Requirements:
  • Validators must never have been slashed 
  • Validators have a minimum stash in their accounts (10 KSM)
  • Validators charge no more than 15% commission
  • A one-week monitoring period to ensure validator nodes have stable operations.
  • Validator stash addresses must get a verified on-chain identity
  • All nodes must upgrade to the latest version within 12 hours of its release if it is labeled "critical" or "high" priority and 24 hours if it is labeled "medium" or "low" priority
  • You are only allowed to run up to two validators as part of the programme 
  • In order to participate, you must connect the validator node to a dedicated telemetry for monitoring. This can be done by adding the following flag to (both) nodes:
    --telemetry-url 'wss://telemetry-backend.w3f.community/submit 1'
  • Node operators must operate nodes themselves; they may not be run by a third party or staking provider 
  • Node operators must have the necessary system admin and security knowledge to effectively and securely run their node. Relying on other people for systematic guidance to set up or run a node, either in the public channels or privately, is prohibited. Companies hiring DevOps personnel for this task are exempt.
  • Node operators cannot rent infrastructure from other participants in the program
  • Node operators are prohibited from borrowing the funds for their operations or lending or gifting funds to other participants for this purpose
  • You filled out all mandatory fields in this form and completed the KYB/KYC process

Any form of cheating will result in the immediate and permanent removal from any staking programme that the Web3 Foundation is in control of. 


What we will do:
Validators meeting the above requirements will obtain a rotation of nominations per period of a successful operation. A scoring system determines which validators get nominated, which may change over time. 
Any changes will be announced in the relevant channels.

We’ll get back to you as soon as possible, typically within 2 weeks. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to validators@web3.foundation. 

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Email *
Second Kusama Node
Participants are allowed a second node in the programme. In running a second node, the verified identity must be part of the same identity as the first node (either a sub-identity, or super identity). Check the box if this is a second node.
Node Name on Telemetry *
The node name on Telemetry will be used in the public ranking to identify the validator. This can be set by using the flag `--name <NAME>` on the validator node. NOTE: Nodes that do not connect to this telemetry will be invalid and marked offline. You will need to add the flag --telemetry-url 'wss://telemetry-backend.w3f.community/submit 1' to the validator node.
Stash Account *
Stash account will be used to check that a validator has a minimum of 10 KSM bonded in their account. 
Emergency Phone Number *
This will be used as a last resort method of contact in case where immediate action needs to happen.
Element Handle(s) *
Element handles will be used to invite participants to a specialised Element room for others in the programme. Element handles will additionally be used to reach out to participants in case they need to take action in node operation.
Hardware Specs  *
What are the specs on the machines? Note that Polkadot and Kusama require validators to run machines that meet the spec for Standard Hardware, see Reference Hardware.  
Please provide the email address you will use to submit all relevant information and documentation as part of the KYB (or, in the case of individuals applying, KYC) process.

IMPORTANT: Do not use a VPN during the KYC/KYB process. Doing so will result in the rejection of your application!
 *
By clicking on the "I Agree" field the user agrees to conform to the requirements as defined above and the Terms and Conditions of this programme. The requirements might change in the future, and any changes will be announced in the relevant channels. By continuing to participate in the programme, you accept to operate under the new requirements.
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A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.
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