Unlike miners in proof-of-work systems, validators in proof-of-stake networks don’t need massive computing power. Instead, they “stake” their own coins as a show of commitment. The more they stake, the higher their chance of being chosen to validate transactions and earn rewards.

But with that power comes responsibility. If a validator tries to cheat, they risk losing their staked assets — a process called “slashing.” This ensures honesty and stability across the network. Validators are the reason users can trust that their transactions are recorded accurately and permanently.

For everyday crypto users, understanding validators helps build confidence in blockchain technology. They’re not some mysterious group — they’re the backbone of how modern blockchains like Ethereum 2.0 and Cardano maintain their integrity and speed.