Validator slashing: what it is and who pays the price
Validator slashing destroys some or all of a validator's staked crypto for attacks or conflicting blocks. Delegators can lose part of their stake.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 6, 20263 min readFact-checked
On this page
- Slashing is for conflicting blocks or attacks, not normal downtime on Ethereum.
- A slashed validator can lose stake and be barred from validating.
- Jailing usually does not burn stake, but slashing destroys it.
Proof-of-stake networks use validators to check blocks and agree on the chain. A validator bonds crypto as collateral, and a slashing can destroy that bond. Here is what triggers a slashing and how it affects delegators.
What triggers a slashing?
A validator is slashed for signing conflicting blocks or attacking the network. On Ethereum, missing votes or going offline does not trigger a slashing, but some networks apply a small downtime penalty.
- Signing two different blocks at the same height.
- Voting for two conflicting versions of the chain.
- Proposing more than one block when the protocol expects one.
- Trying to reverse finalized transactions.
What happens when a validator is slashed?
The network destroys some or all of the validator's staked crypto. The validator is usually ejected and may be barred from validating for a time, and serious slashings often lead to a permanent bar.
Can delegators lose money from slashing?
Delegators assign their own coins to a validator instead of running one. If that validator is slashed, the network can take part of the delegated stake too.
Why does slashing exist?
Slashing exists to deter attacks and serious rule violations that threaten consensus. A validator puts capital at risk, so cheating can cost more than any gain.
How is slashing different from jailing?
Slashing rules differ by network, and so do the labels for lesser penalties. Jailing is a lighter penalty that takes a validator out of active duty.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you delegated to a validator that is slashed, the network can take part of your delegated stake. The loss is taken from the staked balance.
Jailing takes a validator offline and pauses its rewards. Slashing destroys stake and can end the validator's ability to validate.
No. Many proof-of-stake networks use slashing for attacks or conflicting blocks, but some use only jailing or other penalties.
Check the network's block explorer or your staking dashboard. A slashed validator often shows a lower stake balance and an inactive status.
