Our validators
Ech0's Laboratory operates validators in the Polkadot ecosystem. We provide secure and transparent validation in the networks above.
All our validators are part of the Decentralized Nodes programme run by web3 foundation who put their trust in our expertise. We are actively accepting new nominations with the hope of being independent of the programme in 2025.
Kusama
Our team is currently operating one (1) Kusama validator.
Polkadot
Our team is currently operating one (1) Polkadot validator.
Hardware
Our validators are running on dedicated bare metal servers hosted at OVH. We have always been transparent about the hardware and we will not retain any information about it.
All of our servers were configured with the recommended security practices and are actively monitored.
On-chain identity
Nominators entrust validators with their funds, so validators must earn trust through transparency and responsiveness; we ensure this by being accessible across various platforms to suit your preferences.
This identity is set on-chain on both networks and verified by Polkassembly. We are engaged in being reactive when solicited by our nominators.
Assets security
In addition to the server's security, we are committed to providing the best security for our staked assets, by only using hardware cold wallets with the keys protected by a Secure Element.
Usage of Ledger devices
We use the following ledger devices to store our hardware wallet keys. The device is protected by a PIN code and three consecutive failures to enter it will wipe the keys. For redundancy and security, we invested in three devices.
Backup device
We have a Ledger Nano S Plus as a backup device in case we loose access to the live devices.
Live devices
The Ledger Nano X is mostly used for emergency actions that cannot be conducted through our proxies.
The Ledger Flex is used for the same purpose as the Ledger Nano X, and in addition we use it to authenticate on various online services, like the Polkadot Forum, through the NFC Security Key.
Security of the seed phrase
Of course, in addition to keeping our keys secure on three different ledger devices, we have taken steps to ensure maximum security for our seed phrase, in case we'd loose access to the ledger devices, or they would stop functioning for some reason.
Our seed phrase is engraved on a metal plate that is waterproof, fireproof, corrosion-proof, hackerproof, and even bulletproof.
Usage of proxies
In order to be able to make some specific operations with our validators (bonding, setting session keys, setting commission...), or voting in governance, we have set up proxy accounts in the Nova hot wallet.
Indeed, we do not need to use (and expose) our Ledger devices every time we need to make those operations. In fact, we need to use the Ledger devices only to transfer funds, or to make some specific rare operations.
Staking proxy
As described, we have setup a staking proxy on both networks.
Polkadot: 13THs2ArG9dkJxqLUvEDYiCy7aGmYRvdoz5iyrkSTegJ4FdV
Kusama: F2cP1Ff2jPCd5eGHyzGJWjpQYZMeoBgBsBzDE33PMsGcw55
Governance proxy
The same way, we have setup a governance proxy on both networks. This is also the parent identity for all of our validators.
Polkadot: 16g6ZBYbEP3kRMgVBki7zdvdGpymXDyHWzj3D3rDaEATXzc8
Kusama: JFR5AdPzxoCjUVQzpUAkSTUZoGMdbEKtsqJSR8pVwMS6Voi
Self stake
We are aware that validator operators must show skin in the game to demonstrate our seriousness. With our own money at risk, you are sure that we will not intent any malicious action, and take maximum care about our validators performance and up time.
For that reason, we have invested and bonded our own money in our validators. Any money we earn from our validation rewards is automatically re-staked.
On Kusama
At the time of writing this post, we currently have 170 KSM staked for validation.
On Polkadot
At the time of writing this post, we currently have 8000 DOT staked for validation.
We also have an additional 3000 DOT staked for nomination, actively nominating our own validator.
In total, this makes 11 000 DOT and 170 KSM staked to our validators. This amount can be slashed in case of misconduct or mistakes from our side.