Overview
The Solana Mainnet Beta network is currently supported by 180 independent validators and can host network throughput of up to 50k TPS with sub-second confirmation times. The Solana Foundation wants to do better.
The data propagation design of the Solana protocol suggests that we should be able to scale to a much larger validator set, with minimal (log(N_{\text{nodes}})) impact on performance. With a larger validator set comes more security, decentralization and censorship resistance. The Solana Foundation is dedicated to help develop the most decentralized and performant network out there. To help reach this goal, the Solana Foundation is happy to announce the Solana Validator Referral Program.
The Program
The Solana Foundation will reimburse up to $750 (in SOL) of hardware upgrades for referrals of new validators to the network.
How Does it Work?
- During KYC process, the new validator provides the discord name of the validator that referred them to Solana.
- Referred validator must also have previously completed the KYC process.
- After the new validator has met the requirements and has been onboarded to mainnet beta, the referring validator can redeem up to $750 in locked SOL of the cost of hardware upgrades for their validator system (verified by submission the purchase receipt of the hardware, receipts should be send to validator.referrals@solana.foundation)
Also, due to the risk of validators referring sybil nodes (i.e. a single entity spinning up multiple nodes) and claiming the hardware rebate, the Solana Foundation retains the right to remove any participants from the Mainnet Beta compensation program if they are suspected of this behavior.
Terms and Conditions:
The close of the program will be announced by the Solana Foundation in advance. All submissions delivered prior to the close of the event will be considered for compensation. Payments will be made by transfer of locked SOL from the Solana Foundation. The amount of SOL will be based on the closing SOL<>USDT price, quoted on FTX, on the last day of the calendar month in which the receipt of the approved referral was received. Qualifying participants will be assessed on a monthly basis and payments will be distributed similarly. Further terms and conditions can be found here
Note: The KYC process is not necessary to validate on Mainnet Beta. It is only required for compensation of these services by the Solana Foundation and for participation in this referral program.
