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You are confusing "running a node" with "running a validator." You can run a node for free, without any staked ETH. If you want to participate in the protocol r
by zeroclip 4y ago
You are confusing "running a node" with "running a validator." You can run a node for free, without any staked ETH. If you want to participate in the protocol rewards, then yes you will have to do some work to receive them, and place your capital at risk of being slashed if you are not securing the network correctly. If you are a solo validator and make an honest mistake, the amount you will be slashed is probably very low.
If you want to receive slightly less rewards but do less work, you can delegate your stake to a staking pool or service and they will take a fee, see Lido and Rocket Pool.
Aside from protocol rewards, there is also rewards that may come in the form of priority fees or 'tips', and rewards that can come in the form of MEV. See MEV-Boost which validators will be incentivized to run, which can almost double their annual yield.[1]
[1] https://boost.flashbots.net/ https://boost.flashbots.net/
- piva00 4y agoWhy would one want to run a node (and paying for its electricity and physical costs) if they won't get any reward for it? Honest question, not being facetious, I'd like to understand the use case.
- zeroclip 4y agoSame reason people will host and run services around IPFS, BitTorrent, Tor, Matrix, Mastodon, game rooms, and other servers even though they don't get a financial reward, and even though it may even cost them money or their time. They might just want to be part of the network, supporting it in their own way. The protocol rewards are there to create a stronger incentive, so that it isn't just hobbyists and geeks paying out of pocket each month to secure a multi-billion dollar network.