Espresso Delegation Program

Goals

1
Diverse & Performant Validators

Onboard a diverse and performant validator set for the Espresso network

2
Testnet Participation

Incentivize active participation on testnet to strengthen the network

3
Bootstrap Decentralization

Bootstrap the network in the early stages of decentralization

Overview

The Espresso Foundation delegates ESP tokens to validators that consistently perform well on the network. The program has two tiers: the Main Delegation Program (up to 20 nodes with larger ESP delegations) and the Bootstrap Program (up to 40 nodes with 1-5M ESP delegations). The top-performing validators from the Bootstrap Program may be selected to join the Main Delegation Program in the future.

Scoring — based on missed slots, max 100 points

A validator's score is based on its missed slot rate — the share of assigned block slots it failed to propose. Validators should also aim to keep their node version up to date, as this can impact their missed slot rate.

Missed Slots

Score
≤ 0.5% miss rate100
≤ 1% miss rate90
≤ 2% miss rate75
≤ 5% miss rate50
> 5% miss rate0

Version

—
No update needed+
≤ 48 hours+
≤ 7 days−
> 7 days or unknown−

If your version shows up as unknown, you can submit your node information via this Google Form.

Bootstrap Delegation Management

The Espresso Foundation will occasionally increase or decrease the amount delegated to individual validators in the bootstrap based on their performance. The delegation changes will be based on the following scoring criteria and happen in increments of 1M ESP, between a minimum of 1M and a maximum of 5M.

INCREASEScore ≥ 90, no unresolved incidents
MAINTAINScore ≥ 90 but already at max (5M ESP)
DECREASEScore 50–89 and delegation above minimum (1M ESP)
REMEDIATEScore < 50 (first occurrence)
REMOVEScore < 50 (more than once)
The foundation reserves the right to stop delegating to a validator at any time, and will phase out the delegation program over time as decentralization improves.