Near is a public, sharded, extensible blockchain network based on the proof-of-stake (POS) paradigm. Developers can use this platform to launch their own decentralized applications (similar to the Ethereum network). The token of this network is called NEAR, which is the functional token of this network. The main goal of the NEAR network is to create an infrastructure for creating a new Internet. In the new internet, it will be harder for big companies to access people's personal information. Countries cannot ban some programs and destroy their business in this system. A world of freedom where everyone can act freely.

Validators and staking play a crucial role in the NEAR blockchain network. Validators are responsible for validating transactions and adding them to the blockchain. They ensure the security, integrity, and consensus of the network by verifying the correctness of transactions and blocks.

To become a validator on the NEAR blockchain, individuals or entities must stake a certain amount of NEAR tokens. Staking involves locking up a specific number of tokens as collateral to demonstrate commitment and trustworthiness to the network. The more tokens a validator stakes, the higher their chances of being selected to validate transactions and earn rewards.

Validators are selected through a process called "proof-of-stake" (PoS) consensus mechanism. In this mechanism, validators are chosen based on their stake and reputation within the network. The NEAR blockchain uses a unique PoS algorithm called "Nightshade" that allows for high throughput and scalability while maintaining decentralization and security.

By staking their tokens, validators have a financial incentive to act honestly and maintain the integrity of the network. If a validator behaves maliciously or tries to manipulate the system, they risk losing their staked tokens as a form of punishment. This economic model incentivizes validators to act in the best interest of the network and ensures the overall security and reliability of the NEAR blockchain.

Validators also play a role in governance decisions on the NEAR blockchain. They can participate in voting on proposals and protocol upgrades, shaping the future direction of the network. This democratic approach allows validators to have a say in important decisions and ensures that the network evolves in a decentralized and community-driven manner.

Overall, validators and staking are essential components of the NEAR blockchain ecosystem. They contribute to the security, decentralization, and governance of the network while providing validators with opportunities to earn rewards for their participation. Through this mechanism, NEAR aims to create a robust and inclusive blockchain platform that can support various decentralized applications and foster innovation in the blockchain space.

The data provided by Flipside has been used to handle this analysis.

• In this investigation, first of all, the activity Validators in the NEAR blockchain is investigated.

  • Metrics-> Total Validators, Average stake volume per Validator, Current seat price and evolution of seat price over time, Share of top 10 Validators on Staked NEAR, Validators using poolv1.near vs pool.near

• After the first part, the staking yield on the NEAR blockchain has been investigated.

  • Metrics-> Total staked volume, the share of staked NEAR on total supply, APR of validators, volume and unique users for Stake/Unstake actions

• The third part is considered liquid staking in the NEAR blockchain.

  • Metrics-> Linear, Meta and Stader liquid staking platforms have been analyzed. count of interaction, stakers and volume in NEAR.