Avoid Selecting Multiple Validators with the Same or Related Names

Nothing against people running multiple nodes, but the more there are, the more centralized the network. We suggest not selecting more than two validators with the same or related name.

Nominate Validators with "Verified Identity" (✅)

On Cere Network’s Substrate based PoS L1 Blockchain, validators have the option to register their brand and provide contact information using a registrar method. The green checkmark means they are certified, while others may lack an "identity."

Consider the quoted commission

Validators set the commission rate they deduct from block rewards to cover their costs before distributing profits. This commission rate can vary significantly.

Avoid Validators with 0% | 100% Commission

Think about it. You get nothing from it. Don’t select validators with a 100% commission rate. These validators do not want you to nominate them, and if you accidentally do, you will receive zero rewards.

Opting for validators with a 0% commission may seem appealing, but ensure that the validator is not compromising on infrastructure quality to compensate for this 0% commission. It's generally better to choose validators with higher commissions if you trust them more, as the impact of the commission on rewards is relatively small.

Consider "most profitable" option closely

The Explorer UI and Staking Dashboard offer a "most profitable" option for more quickly selecting a few validator’s to nominate. It tries to selects the validators it considers currently the most profitable. While it may be tempting to choose based solely on this criterion, it's important to consider other factors mentioned in this guide. To accept this suggestion, click on the "Nominate selected" button and then "Nominate."

Nominate Validators You Trust

Trust is an important factor when nominating validators. Reputed validators with a long history and expertise are most reliable candidates for staking. Check their era payout stats. The best nominator’s never miss an era.

Consider Nominating Validators in the Waiting List

We believe it’s a good idea to consider nominating 1 or 2 validators who are currently not validating. These validators will eventually become part of the active set and provide higher rewards. Although all validators receive approximately the same rewards per era, they distribute those rewards among their nominators. The less stake a validator has from nominators, the more profit you can earn. It is proportional. In summary, nominating validators with lower stake will result in higher rewards for you.

It is highly recommended to nominate 16 different and independent validators. Only one of them will be active in each era. The network itself will determine the best validator at any given moment.

Consider the validator’s “own stake”

A validator’s "own stake" is the amount of the validator's own CERE tokens they have staked. The "total stake" column indicates how much your stake contributes to them.

However, note that validators with a low "self-stake" may still have significant "skin in the game." These validators often nominate themselves from other accounts, which means they risk losing their own funds if they face slashing.

Review Validator’s history!