Validators#
Marinade works with validators to secure the Solana network while providing competitive staking yields. Learn how validators participate in Marinade's ecosystem and how stake is allocated.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Validators | 100+ |
| Stake Mechanism | SAM (Stake Auction Marketplace) |
| Protection | PSR (Protected Staking Rewards) |
| Collateral | Validator Bonds |
Overview#
Marinade distributes stake to validators through the Stake Auction Marketplace (SAM) - a transparent, performance-based delegation system:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| SAM | Validators compete for stake based on performance and bids |
| PSR | Protection mechanism ensuring staker rewards |
| Bonds | Validator collateral backing PSR |
Stake Auction Marketplace (SAM)#
SAM is Marinade's transparent mechanism for allocating stake. Validators compete based on multiple factors:
graph TD
A[Validator Pool] --> B{SAM Scoring}
B --> C[Performance Score]
B --> D[Bond Amount]
B --> E[Commission Rate]
C --> F[Final Ranking]
D --> F
E --> F
F --> G[Stake Allocation]Key factors:
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Performance | Uptime, vote success rate, skip rate |
| Bond Posted | SOL collateral backing PSR |
| Commission | Fee taken from rewards |
| Decentralization | Geographic and data center distribution |
Protected Staking Rewards (PSR)#
PSR protects stakers from validator underperformance or malicious behavior. If a validator fails to deliver expected rewards, the protection mechanism kicks in.
For Validators#
Interested in receiving stake from Marinade? Here's what you need:
Requirements#
- Active mainnet validator with good performance history
- Competitive commission rate
- Willingness to participate in SAM bidding
Benefits#
- Access to significant stake allocation
- Performance-based rewards
- Integration with Solana's largest staking protocol
Getting Started#
- Review SAM mechanics - Understand how the auction works
- Check eligibility - Ensure your validator meets performance criteria
- Participate in auctions - Bid for stake allocation each epoch
Validator Resources#
- Dashboard: View your validator stats at marinade.finance/validators
- API: Query validator data via the Validators API
- Discord: Join #validators in Marinade Discord
- Forum: Discuss proposals at forum.marinade.finance
Key Metrics#
Validators are evaluated on:
| Metric | Description | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Uptime | Percentage of slots successfully voted | >99% |
| Skip Rate | Percentage of slots skipped when leader | <5% |
| APY | Annual yield delivered to stakers | Competitive |
| Commission | Fee taken from staking rewards | Varies |
FAQ#
How much stake can validators receive from Marinade?
Stake allocation depends on SAM ranking, which factors in performance, bonds posted, and commission. Top-performing validators with good bonds can receive significant stake.
What happens if a validator underperforms?
PSR (Protected Staking Rewards) kicks in. The validator's bond is used to compensate stakers for any rewards shortfall. Persistent underperformance leads to reduced stake allocation.
How do validators join Marinade?
Validators join by participating in SAM:
- Meet performance requirements
- Post a bond
- Compete in the marketplace
See the Onboarding Guide for details.
What are the benefits of receiving Marinade stake?
- Consistent stake allocation
- Increased validator revenue
- Association with Solana's largest staking protocol
- Performance-based rewards system
Next Steps#
| Audience | Resource |
|---|---|
| Validators | Onboarding Guide |
| All | SAM Details |
| All | PSR Explained |
| Developers | Validators API |