Support the AETRON blockchain
Validators are the fourth role in the network, alongside neuronet owners, miners and stakers. They keep the base blockchain running and make protocol decisions on-chain.
What they do
Produce blocks
A validator signs new blocks and finalizes transactions. Without validators, no new blocks and no new AET enter circulation.
Vote on the protocol
From May 2026 onward, protocol decisions are taken by on-chain voting of validators. Emission parameters, upgrades, treasury spending - all of that goes through them.
Earn their share of the emission
5% of every block's emission is reserved for chain validators. This is a separate share on top of neuronet emissions; it doesn't depend on how much AI work is happening inside the network.
How a validator works
Stake and activation
A validator brings up a node and locks the required minimum stake of AET. The stake is what backs honest behaviour: any misstep is visible to the network.
Producing blocks
Active validators take turns assembling blocks, including transactions and signing the result.
Finalization and voting
Validators agree on block finalization and vote on protocol proposals. A decision takes effect once it crosses the quorum.
Payout
For every block they produced and finalized, the validator receives their share of the 5% allocated to chain validators.
What a validator gets
Steady income
5% of every block's emission is distributed to active validators. The income is regular and scales with stake - independent of market activity.
A vote in running the network
A validator participates directly in protocol decisions. This is especially interesting to government institutions, banks, corporations and academic centers.
Compose with staking
Earnings can be reinvested back into stake on neuronets or into the validator's own node. AET is the only token in the network, so the functions combine naturally.
Where the payouts come from
Block emission
- 5% of each block's emission
- Split between active validators by stake
- Halving every four years, the same as Bitcoin
Transaction fees
- Fees from transactions in the block
- Grow with network activity
- Tied directly to AETRON usage
How to become a validator
1. Get hold of AET
Buy AET on supported exchanges or earn it by mining. The minimum stake is announced at the time validator slots open.
2. Bring up a node
An enterprise-grade server: reliable power, network redundancy, protected key management. The exact minimum requirements are published in the docs.
3. Register a slot
Submit an on-chain claim for a validator slot and lock the stake. Once activated, the node starts taking part in block production.
4. Run it and vote
Sign blocks, keep uptime up, take part in protocol votes. The emission is paid out automatically.
What's needed to launch
Hardware
- A server-class CPU, not a workstation
- Enough RAM for chain load
- NVMe SSD for storing the full history
- Redundant gigabit internet
Software stack
- Linux (Ubuntu LTS or equivalent)
- A container runtime of your choice
- The AETRON validator client
- Node monitoring
Operational requirements
- Continuous uptime
- Low network response latency
- Regular client updates
- Secure storage of signing keys
Launch an AETRON validator
If you have the infrastructure and an interest in helping run the network, the validator role fits you. Request the minimum stake parameters and activation terms via the contact form.