# Help Secure the Espresso Network. The Foundation Will Help You Get Started.

*The Validator Bootstrap Program lowers the barrier for qualified operators to participate in network consensus*

By [Espresso Foundation](https://paragraph.com/@espressofndn) · 2026-04-29

blockchain, crypto, consensus, finality

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The Espresso Foundation is launching a program to onboard 30+ new validators into the Espresso Network, an L1 base layer purpose-built to provide fast, secure consensus and transaction finality to any chain or application regardless of their tech stack or architecture.

The Espresso Network is secured by [ESP](https://paragraph.com/@espressofndn/esp-introducing-the-espresso-token) staked through HotShot, Espresso's Byzantine fault tolerant (BFT) proof-of-stake consensus protocol, where the top 100 validators by total stake make up the active consensus set at any given time. Validators earn a share of protocol rewards for participating in consensus, with node operators setting their preferred commission rate on rewards from delegated stake.

Operators selected for the Validator Bootstrap Program will each receive a 1,000,000 ESP delegation to help establish their presence on the network while they build stake over time. Visit Espresso’s [Staking and Delegation Dashboard](https://stake.espresso.network/) to learn more about the current validator set.

[Apply to the Validator Bootstrap Program](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScC5jk-jGE4d4hFRSuQNoP9MrmRB6oy3uRDagS-K5xc-OH64A/viewform)

The Espresso Foundation will evaluate operators accepted into the new program on an ongoing basis against clear performance criteria, including missed slots, voting participation, how quickly they update to the latest supported software version, and responsiveness to Foundation communications.

Every six months, top-performing validators become eligible to be considered for the Foundation’s main delegation program, which carries a larger delegation. All delegations remain subject to Foundation discretion and may be adjusted or withdrawn based on performance or program needs.

If you are interested in earning protocol rewards for operating the infrastructure that secures Espresso's, [apply to the Validator Bootstrap Program](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScC5jk-jGE4d4hFRSuQNoP9MrmRB6oy3uRDagS-K5xc-OH64A/viewform).

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*Originally published on [Espresso Foundation](https://paragraph.com/@espressofndn/validator-bootstrap-program)*