Consensus and validators
Post-quantum proof of stake: slots, epochs, finality, staking and slashing.
QRDX is a proof-of-stake chain in which every validator signs with ML-DSA-65. Classic keys cannot propose or attest.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Slot | 2 seconds; one proposer per slot, chosen by stake with RANDAO randomness. A slot may pass without a block. |
| Epoch | 32 slots |
| Finality | an epoch is finalized when attestations carry two-thirds of the active stake |
| Minimum stake | 100,000 QRDX |
| Maximum active validators | 150 |
| Activation delay | 4 epochs after the deposit |
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Becoming a validator
- Run a node with a post-quantum validator key.
- Hold at least 100,000 QRDX in that key's account.
- Send a
STAKE_DEPOSITexchange transaction withstake_amountandvalidator_public_key. The stake is debited, so it is genuinely at risk; the validator is registered as pending and activated a few epochs later by every node alike. - To leave, send
STAKE_EXIT. The stake is refunded at the exit epoch once it is finalized.
A validator whose stake falls below 50,000 QRDX is ejected. There is no delegation: each validator stakes its own QRDX.
Slashing
A slashed validator never reaches the exited state, so it forfeits its stake.
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Double signing (two blocks for one slot) | 50 % |
| Surround vote | 50 % |
| Invalid attestation | 30 % |
| Extended downtime | 5 % |
A whistleblower receives 1/512 of the slashed amount, and the proposer that includes the evidence 1/32.
Validators and the oracle
Validators also vote external USD prices for the perps markets (ORACLE_VOTE). Each proposer attaches its own vote to the blocks it proposes, from a median of public exchange prices. Votes are most of the transactions on testnet; the explorer hides them by default.