The Solana Foundation has implemented a new policy that will scale back support for long-standing validators reliant on Foundation-delegated stake, while paving the way for new, community-backed operators.
The updated guidelines state that for each new validator brought into the Foundation’s Delegation Program, three existing validators will be removed, provided they have received Foundation stake for more than 18 months and hold less than 1,000 SOL in external delegation.
The measure took effect immediately.
Foundation officials said the change is aimed at reducing dependence on internal stake allocations and strengthening the role of community involvement in network validation.
Transitioning to merit-based participation
The Solana Foundation initially launched its Delegation Program to help new validators participate in consensus without needing substantial SOL holdings. By offering stake directly, the Foundation enabled smaller operators to earn rewards and contribute to network growth.
But as the network matured, concerns emerged over sustainability. Some validators continued to receive Foundation stake despite attracting little external support or failing to meet high performance standards.
The new policy is intended to correct this imbalance by setting clearer expectations: validators must now demonstrate strong technical performance and the ability to attract stake from outside the Foundation.
To incentivize this shift, the Foundation offers a matching program, allocating up to 100,000 SOL to validators who secure an equivalent amount from independent delegators.
Enhancing decentralization
The Foundation’s share of total network stake has already declined from previous highs and now accounts for approximately 13% to 16% of all SOL staked. Most stake is now delegated through community pools or directly to independent validators.
Despite that progress, some validators remain heavily reliant on Foundation subsidies to cover operational costs, such as vote fees and hardware maintenance. The new policy signals a push to further reduce that dependency and promote a more self-sufficient validator ecosystem.
By phasing out underperforming validators and onboarding those with stronger community engagement, the Foundation aims to create a more resilient, decentralized, and efficient network.
The shift marks a turning point in Solana’s evolution from a growth-focused strategy powered by internal capital to a performance-driven framework shaped by the broader community.
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