Delegation
Delegation is when a token holder assigns their stake to a validator instead of running one. The validator proposes and confirms blocks; you and they share
Delegation is when a token holder assigns their stake to a validator instead of running one. The validator proposes and confirms blocks; you and they share the rewards (minus a fee), and if the validator misbehaves you can be slashed — so choosing a good validator matters.
Why it matters
Delegation is how small holders participate in PoS security, which sounds democratic — but it pools power: the biggest delegation services attract the most stake, recreating centralization. Distribution across validators is one of the clearest decentralization indicators there is.
Related terms
staking · validator ·
proof of stake