# Validators

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th align="center"></th><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Validator Setup</strong></td><td><em>Step-by-step instructions for setting up your validator node.</em></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2FIfKbAOtH0rishTgrN6bb%2FValidator%20Setup%20-%20Val.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c8649469-51c8-46d6-94af-c0bb9d90f933">Validator Setup - Val.png</a></td><td><a href="validators/setup">setup</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>Halting</strong></td><td><em>Learn how to halt your validator node without causing disruptions</em></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2FUlJbHW19GHXHqSuXSugG%2FHalting%20-%20dev.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1e5d5ab8-d7d1-4c6f-9a5e-42a5d278c337">Halting - dev.png</a></td><td><a href="validators/halting">halting</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>Migrating</strong></td><td><em>Steps to migrate your validator to a new server or environment.</em></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2Fs2UXU3wU7xFkdULGUeUD%2FMigrating.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f83ce368-7cf9-4688-b018-d7078addeba7">Migrating.png</a></td><td><a href="validators/migrating">migrating</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>Common Problems</strong></td><td><em>Troubleshooting common issues faced by validators.</em></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2FizOyQBuLiRmgJyd2xhwl%2FCommon%20Problems%20-%20val.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6a6651bf-f2fe-4cfd-9d7f-5db0aabe0754">Common Problems - val.png</a></td><td><a href="validators/common-problems">common-problems</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>Validator FAQs</strong></td><td><em>Frequently asked questions for validators.</em></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2FWIPQuqC4yi6NhLSeWjos%2FValidator%20FAQs%20-%20Val.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b3d2295f-5f21-4a93-82f2-010788316957">Validator FAQs - Val.png</a></td><td><a href="validators/validator-faqs">validator-faqs</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>Security</strong></td><td><em>Best practices and guidelines for securing your validator node.</em></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2FVemt3yTt3MHZ1ZsesXLj%2FSecurity%20-%20Val.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f308eec1-3d95-41a5-aa69-e8e27c8966a5">Security - Val.png</a></td><td><a href="validators/security">security</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Validator Overview

[The Realio Network](https://docs.realio.network/introduction) is based on [CometBFT](https://github.com/cometbft/cometbft), which relies on a set of validators that are responsible for committing new blocks in the blockchain. These validators participate in the consensus protocol by broadcasting votes which contain cryptographic signatures signed by each validator's private key.

Validator candidates can bond their own RIO and RST tokens and have the tokens "delegated", or staked, to them by token holders. The Realio Network will have 100 validators, but over time this can increase depending on the network performance and needs. The validators are determined by who has the most stake delegated to them — the top 100 validator candidates with the most stake will become Realio Network validators.

If validators double sign, are frequently offline or do not participate in governance, their staked RIO tokens (including the tokens of users that delegated to them) can be slashed. The penalty depends on the severity of the violation.

#### Community[​](https://docs.realio.network/validators/overview#community) <a href="#community" id="community"></a>

Discuss the finer details of being a validator on our community chat:

* [Validators Chat](https://discord.gg/Nv9EUbRnKb)