Did you just launch your own validator? Congratulations, you are now part of the heart of the network!

But be careful: with power comes responsibility.

In this role, a mistake can cost you part of your funds.

This is called slashing.

Don’t panic! Here’s everything you need to know to protect your validator 👇

⚠️ What is slashing?

Slashing is a penalty imposed by the blockchain (like Ethereum) if a validator behaves incorrectly or in a way that is dangerous for the network.

This translates to:

  • 💸 A partial loss of your staked funds (up to several ETH)

  • ❌ A temporary or permanent expulsion from your role as a validator

Slashing never happens by chance, but always due to specific mistakes.

😱 Behaviors that lead to slashing

Here are the common mistakes to avoid:

Running the same validator on multiple machines

❌ Two nodes with the same key = double behavior = penalty


Proposing two blocks for the same slot

What we call a double proposal or double vote


Reporting false information

For example, voting for two competing blocks in the same attestation

🧠 How to avoid slashing? Best practices


✅ 1. One node per validator

Make sure to run your validator only on one machine.

Even if you restart elsewhere, properly disable the old instance first.


✅ 2. Use a stable and up-to-date client

Whether you are on Prysm, Lighthouse, Teku, or Nimbus:

  • Regularly update your client

  • Enable alerts in case of critical version changes


✅ 3. Monitor your node

Use tools like:

  • beaconcha.in

  • Grafana + Prometheus

  • Discord, Telegram or email alerts

You will know immediately if your validator is inactive or in danger.


✅ 4. Secure your environment

  • Use afirewall

    Configurefail2banto block intrusion attempts

  • Do not expose your node unnecessarily to the Internet


✅ 5. Protect your keys

Never store your validator keys without protection.

Use:

  • A strong password

  • Encrypted storage systems

  • An offline backup if needed

🔄 And what if I need to restart my validator elsewhere?

⚠️ Very important:

If you want to change servers or VPS, follow a proper migration procedure:

  • Stop your old node

  • Wait a few minutes (up to 15 min)

  • Launch the new node with the same key files

💬 In summary

Slashing can be avoided 100% if you follow best practices.

Being a validator is not just about earning rewards, it is about ensuring the stability of the network.

So take care of your validator as you would take care of your wallet 😉

$ETH #Slash $BTC $SOL #blockchain