# BSC Blockchain Validator Expansion - Q4’2023 **URL:** \ **Category:** BEP\ **Created:** [November 6, 2023, 7:58am UTC](https://forum.bnbchain.org/t/bsc-blockchain-validator-expansion-q4-2023/2153 "2023-11-06T07:58:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 1
**Author:** ![BNBChainCore](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.bnbchain.org/bnbchaincore/32/1875_2.png) [@BNBChainCore](https://forum.bnbchain.org/u/BNBChainCore)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 7:58am UTC](https://forum.bnbchain.org/t/bsc-blockchain-validator-expansion-q4-2023/2153/1 "2023-11-06T07:58:17Z")
### Introduction: BNB Smart Chain currently has 32 active validators ([BNB Chain Staking](https://bnbchain.org/en/staking)), it plans to expand to 40 validators by Q4 Y2023. That said, 8 slots will open up for CANDIDATE validators soon. ### Why does BSC want to increase the validators? - Improved Decentralization: Increases network robustness by spreading control across more entities. - Increased Security: More validators make the network resilient to malicious attacks. - Trust and Credibility: A diversified pool of validators adds to network transparency and integrity. - Community Engagement: Encourages participation and ownership within the community. - Compliance and Governance: Aligns the network with regulatory requirements or organizational objectives. - Network Growth: Helps in scaling the network and maintaining efficiency as user numbers grow. ### Guidance on the type of validators BNB Chain is looking for: - Community Contribution: Validators should be able to provide tangible value to our community. This could include providing developer resources like RPC endpoints or archive nodes, contributing to the Total Value Locked (TVL) on the network, offering solutions for Miner Extractable Value (MEV), or actively engaging in Community Development and education. - Community Size and Engagement: Validators with a large and active community are preferred. A strong community indicates a validator’s commitment to maintaining a robust and secure network, and also ensures a wider distribution of knowledge, resources and staking from Retails. ### BNB Chain technical evaluation of Validators: - Technical Proficiency: Validators should demonstrate high levels of technical expertise and operational security. This can be gauged through their past performance, reliability, and up-time. - Governance Participation: Validators should be actively involved in the governance of the blockchain. This can be measured through their voting history and participation in discussions and proposals. - Transparency: Validators should operate transparently, providing regular updates on their operations, plans, and any changes to their node to our community. #### Minimum Requirements from Validators: - Self-Stake: Validators should be able to self-stake the minimum of 2,000 BNB. - Infrastructure: Validators should run secure, reliable, and performant infrastructure that meets or exceeds the network’s minimum requirements. - Service to Developers or DEFI protocol: Validators should provide essential resources to developers, such as access to RPC and archive nodes, or help on BSC TVL. - Community Engagement: Validators should actively engage with and contribute to the community. This includes participation in governance, contribution to discussions and debates, and the provision of educational resources. - Brand equity: validators should preferably be associated with a strong brand to signal industry backing of BNB Chain (e.g. a Microsoft, Consensys, etc) [nice to have] - Perhaps max seal on the fees. As fees go directly to the validators, it doesn’t seem feasible that BNB Chain supports the validator with extremely high fees. #### Compliance with Best Practices: - Validators must follow best practices for security, key management, and node operation. This includes promptly updating software versions, maintaining a secure key setup, and ensuring optimal node configuration. - Validators are required to maintain a 24-hour emergency line for prompt response to any critical incidents or issues. - Validators are required to participate in innovation projects launched by the BNB Chain. #### FAQ - #### What is our target for BNB Chain validator expansion? - The BNB Chain is rapidly becoming more decentralized. The current focus is on expanding the number of active BNB Smart Chain validators from 32 to 40 (and later to 100). - Where can the community refer to the BNB Smart Chain Validator document ? --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.bnbchain.org/t/bsc-blockchain-validator-expansion-q4-2023/2153)._