BCIP-17 | Introducing Band Active Validators Set: Road to 1-Second Blocktime

With the launch of Band v3, BandChain is now faster, cheaper, and capable of handling significantly higher throughput by 10X. But none of this would be possible without the relentless efforts of our validators. Validators are the backbone of BandChain, ensuring it operates smoothly and efficiently. Each validator plays a crucial role by fetching real-time price data directly from sources such as CEXs, DEXs, and aggregators. Today, we are proud to introduce the Band Active Validators Set, a major step toward making BandChain the most efficient data layer in Web3.

What is the Band Active Validators Set?

The Band Active Validators Set is an initiative to bring together 50 top-performing validators who secure and strengthen BandChain. The set now includes 53 validators, each carefully chosen for their proven reliability, technical excellence, and ongoing contributions to the ecosystem.

Selection Criteria:

• Long-term participation in the validator program: Validators who have supported BandChain over time demonstrate reliability, trust, and alignment with the long-term success of the ecosystem.
• High uptime and reliability: Consistently available validators ensure that BandChain remains stable and secure, minimizing missed blocks and downtime.
• Community engagement and support: Validators who actively engage with the community strengthen trust, transparency, and adoption across the Band ecosystem.
• Number of supported networks: Experience validating multiple networks reflects strong technical expertise and operational resilience, reducing risks for BandChain.
• Number of stakers across networks: A broad base of delegators signals validator credibility, decentralization, and greater resilience against concentrated control.
• Total assets staked: A higher stake increases economic security, as validators have stronger incentives to maintain honest and secure operations.

This ensures that only the most committed and technically capable validators are driving BandChain forward.

Why is this important?

With BandChain’s reduced block time of ~1 second, validator uptime is more crucial than ever. Missing even a few blocks can affect the efficiency and reliability of the network. Validators must maintain over 99% uptime to keep the chain operating at peak performance. The introduction of the Active Validators Set empowers BandChain to:

• Enable closer communication between the Band Foundation and validators.
• Ensure faster coordination during minor or major BandChain upgrades.
• Strengthen alignment, as active validators now carry greater responsibility and incentives, working hand-in-hand with the Band Foundation.

What’s Next?

The proposal has already been submitted, marking the start of this exciting new phase. This is the perfect time to join us in shaping the future of BandChain, one of the most decentralized and resilient data networks in Web3. If you are a staker or delegator on BandChain, we strongly encourage you to participate in the BCIP-17 proposal voting. The voting period is from 1 October to 6th October 2025. Your vote matters because Band is no longer just a protocol; it is a decentralized data layer. As part of this community, your decision directly shapes the network’s future. The final list of Active Validators Set will be announced once this proposal is passed. It’s time to make your call now. Choose what you believe is best for you and for BandChain.

Conclusion

By introducing the Active Validators Set and emphasizing operational excellence, Band v3 creates a tighter, more efficient, and better-coordinated validator ecosystem. This ensures BandChain continues to scale securely and reliably, bringing us one step closer to the vision of a decentralized data layer for Web3 with 1-second block times. Together, we’re not just running a chain. We’re building the future of decentralized data, powered by the Band Data Layer.

About Band

Band is the data layer that trains AI engines and powers blockchain applications. By empowering DeFi, GameFi, and AI agents, it enables developers, institutions, and users to access real-time data with zero counterparty risk. With Band’s open, battle-tested data infrastructure built for blockchains and LLMs, it ensures that real-time information is always accessible—fueling everything from financial protocols to autonomous AI systems. 

Learn More about Band: https://linktr.ee/bandprotocol