Earn Rewards and Make a Difference: Join Alkimi’s Validator Program

Blaise Hilary
4 min readOct 23, 2024

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Sancti

Individuals looking to impact decentralized advertising now have the opportunity to participate actively through Alkimi’s Self-Serve Validator Program.

These Validators play an active role in verifying ad transactions on the blockchain. Moreso, they have greater control and higher rewards, and contribute to the growth and development of decentralized advertising.

However, becoming a Self-Serve Validator requires some level of technical know-how. This article will highlight details on how the Validator Program works, its benefits, and why it’s a major step toward transparency in advertising.

What are the Different Types of Validator Services?

Alkimi’s Validator Program offers two distinct services based on your level of technical involvement:

  1. Self-Serve Validator: Allows you to manage your validator node independently. It gives you more control over how it runs but also requires a deeper understanding of blockchain technology and the infrastructure that supports it.
  2. Delegated Validator: This service is for users who prefer not to manage the technical aspects themselves. By staking your $ADS tokens, a trusted third party (such as Alkimi) will run the validator on your behalf, allowing you to participate in the network without the need for hands-on technical work.

Understanding the Self-Serve Validator Program

The Self-Serve Validator Program is perfect for blockchain enthusiasts who want a more hands-on approach.

Running your validator node means actively participating in the network’s infrastructure and verifying every transaction in real-time. You ensure that every transaction within Alkimi’s decentralized ad exchange is secure and transparent, reducing fraud and ensuring fair compensation for publishers.

Unlike traditional ad exchanges where intermediaries take large fees, Alkimi’s decentralized system rewards validators for each transaction they verify, making the entire ad system more traceable, equitable, and efficient.

Benefits of the Self-Serve Validator

Running a Self-Serve Validator offers several advantages:

  • Enhanced Control: Running a self-serve validator gives you complete autonomy over how the node operates. You manage the node’s configuration and operation, allowing for personalized optimizations to boost performance.
  • Potential for Higher Rewards: Since you manage the node yourself, there’s an opportunity to optimize it for higher rewards. You’ll earn based on the number of transactions your node successfully verifies, and with more fine-tuned control, there’s room to maximize these earnings.
  • Technical Satisfaction: If you enjoy working with blockchain technology and cloud infrastructure, the Self-Serve Validator offers a hands-on experience that allows you to apply your skills while contributing to an innovative ecosystem.

Requirements for Becoming a Self-Serve Validator

Becoming a Self-Serve Validator requires more than just enthusiasm. Here’s what you need:

  1. Technical Expertise: You’ll need a strong understanding of blockchain technology, cloud infrastructure, and networking is essential. This isn’t a passive role; you’ll be actively involved in keeping the system running smoothly, configuring the node, and addressing any operational issues.
  2. Hardware or Cloud Resources: You’ll need access to a dedicated server or cloud infrastructure to run your validator node 24/7.
  3. Software Setup: You’ll need to install and configure the validator software. Alkimi provides guidance, but this step requires familiarity with running and managing blockchain nodes.
  4. $ADS Tokens: To activate your validator node and begin earning rewards, you must stake a minimum of 50,000 $ ADS tokens.

Can You Run Both Self-Serve and Delegated Validators?

Yes, you can run both Self-Serve and Delegated Validators. The process for joining is the same, and you can decide which one works best for you during the application process. This flexibility allows you to balance technical involvement with rewards.

Managing Validator Requests: Can I Cancel or Switch?

Alkimi’s Validator Program offers flexibility in how you manage your validator:

  • Cancelling a Validator Request: You can cancel your validator request at any point, reclaiming your collateral for a fee of 0.005 ETH. This fee only applies when withdrawing your collateral, not during the initial minting of your validator NFT.
  • Switching Between Validators: If you decide to switch from a Self-Serve Validator to a Delegated Validator (or vice versa), you can. However, it’s best to make this decision before minting your validator NFT to avoid extra gas fees.

Can You Become A Validator?

If you’re still unsure whether or not this is for you, Alkimi provides a reward estimator tool that helps you calculate potential earnings based on current network conditions. It’s a helpful way to gauge whether the effort of running a Self-Serve Validator aligns with your goals.

Addressing Common Challenges

Running a Self-Serve Validator comes with its share of challenges, but with the right preparation, you can overcome them:

  1. Technical Difficulties: Network outages or server issues can disrupt your node’s performance. Ensure you have backup systems in place and monitor your node closely using performance tracking tools.
  2. Security Threats: As with any blockchain operation, security is key. Regularly update your software, use strong passwords, and employ firewalls to protect your node from cyberattacks.
  3. Maintaining Uptime: Validators are rewarded for consistent uptime, so it’s crucial to have a stable internet connection and use failover strategies to avoid downtime.

By staying proactive and troubleshooting promptly, you can ensure your node performs efficiently and maximizes rewards.

Tips for Running a Successful Self-Serve Validator

  • Stay Updated: Keep your validator software up-to-date and stay informed on the latest blockchain developments.
  • Monitor Performance: Regularly check your node’s performance to address issues quickly and maintain optimal uptime.
  • Optimize for Efficiency: Experiment with your setup to ensure the node runs at its peak efficiency, increasing your rewards.
  • Engage with the Community: Join discussions with other validators to share insights and learn best practices for running your node.

Conclusion: Ready to Make an Impact?

The time for change is now. By becoming a self-service validator with Alkimi, you can be a part of a revolution in digital advertising.

Ready to get started? Visit Alkimi’s website to learn more about decentralized advertising and take the first step toward starting your journey as a Self-Serve Validator today!

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