> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.autheo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Validator program overview

> Overview of the Autheo validator program: license tiers, responsibilities, rewards, and how to participate.

The Autheo validator program enables node operators to secure the network and earn THEO rewards in exchange for running reliable, performant infrastructure. Participation requires holding an NFT license — a tier-based credential that governs what role you can play in the network.

## License tiers

| Tier          | Role                                            | Annual THEO emission | Requirement             |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | -------------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Sovereign** | Create and operate a validator node             | \~187,969 THEO       | 1 Sovereign NFT license |
| **Prime**     | Delegate to external validators (higher tier)   | \~18,797 THEO        | 1 Prime NFT license     |
| **Core**      | Delegate to external validators (standard tier) | \~1,880 THEO         | 1 Core NFT license      |

Licenses originate as ERC-721 tokens on **Arbitrum** and are bridged to Autheo Chain. A Sovereign license is required to run a validator; Prime and Core licenses enable delegation without running a node.

## Validator responsibilities

As a validator, you are responsible for:

* Maintaining a node that meets the [hardware requirements](/nodes/node-setup/node-setup)
* Keeping the node synced and signing blocks with ≥ the minimum liveness threshold
* Securing both the operator key and consensus key
* Monitoring for liveness failures and responding to incidents promptly
* Keeping the binary version up to date

<Warning>
  `MsgBeginRedelegate` is permanently disabled on Autheo Chain. Once you delegate stake to a validator, you must unbond and wait the \~21-day unbonding period before delegating elsewhere. Choose your validator carefully before committing stake.
</Warning>

## Reward streams

Validators earn rewards from two independent sources:

1. **Staking rewards** — Proportional to bonded stake; auto-accrued via `x/distribution`; manually withdrawn via `withdraw-all-rewards`
2. **NFT emission rewards** — Fixed per-block allocation based on the Sovereign license tier; manually claimed via `claim-nft-rewards`

See [Staking and rewards](/token/staking-and-rewards) for the full mechanics.

## How to participate

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire a Sovereign NFT license">
    Purchase a Sovereign license on the [Node Sale Platform](/web-apps/node-sale/purchasing-a-license) or secondary market on Arbitrum.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up infrastructure">
    Provision a server meeting the [hardware requirements](/nodes/node-setup/node-setup) or use a [managed hosting provider](/validator-program/hosting-options).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install and configure the node">
    Follow the [installation](/nodes/node-setup/installation) and [configuration](/nodes/node-setup/configuration) guides.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Bridge and bind your license">
    Follow the [license setup](/nodes/node-setup/license-setup) guide to bridge from Arbitrum and bind on-chain.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register your validator">
    Submit `MsgCreateValidator` following the [register validator](/nodes/validator-lifecycle/register-validator) guide.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Hosting options" href="/validator-program/hosting-options" icon="server">
    Self-host or use a managed provider
  </Card>

  <Card title="Economics" href="/validator-program/economics" icon="chart-line">
    Revenue estimates and cost breakdown
  </Card>

  <Card title="Node brochure" href="/validator-program/brochure" icon="file">
    Full node sale brochure
  </Card>

  <Card title="Compliance" href="/validator-program/compliance" icon="shield">
    KYC and jurisdictional requirements
  </Card>

  <Card title="Validator Portal" href="/web-apps/validator-portal/overview" icon="display">
    Deploy and manage your node via the web portal
  </Card>
</CardGroup>