STARKNET FOUNDATION DELEGATION
Starknet has a diverse, high‑performing validator set. The Starknet Foundation Delegation Program (SFDP) is a key part of that journey, matching validator stake with foundation delegation to accelerate decentralization while keeping performance and security high.
This post breaks down how the program works, who qualifies, and what it means for validators, delegators, and the long‑term health of the Starknet ecosystem.
If you haven’t read our series that breaks down the Starknet ecosystem in simple terms, click here.
Why Starknet created a foundation delegation program
Starknet needs more than just a handful of large actors running validators. It needs:
A broad validator set so no single entity or cartel can dominate consensus.
Enough stake on reliable validators to keep the network secure and running without issue.
Economic incentives that make it viable for new, high‑quality validators to join and stay.
The Starknet Foundation Delegation Program is built to address exactly that. They direct foundation stake to:
Distribute STRK across a more diverse validator set.
Encourage serious operators from other ecosystems to become long‑term Starknet validators.
Lower the capital barrier to entry by matching self‑stake with foundation delegation.
HOW THE STARKNET FOUNDATION DELEGATION PROGRAM WORKS
In a nutshell, it’s a stake‑matching program with performance requirements.
1. STAKE MATCHING, 1:1 UP TO 5M STRK
For validators that meet the criteria (see below), the Foundation:
Matches their self‑staked STRK 1:1, up to a cap of 5,000,000 STRK per validator.
Ignores any stake that validator already receives from other delegation programs when calculating the match.
Examples:
If you self‑stake 1M STRK (excluding other programs), the Foundation can delegate 1M STRK, plus potential residual pool share.
If you self‑stake 30M STRK, the Foundation caps the match at 5M STRK, then you may also receive a slice of any remaining delegation pool.
This design rewards validators who commit real capital and grow organic stake, while keeping any single operator from soaking up too much of the delegation pool.
2. RESIDUAL DELEGATION AND PROGRAM CAP
The Foundation sets aside a fixed pool of STRK for the program. It works like this:
Stake Matching: first, the program calculates 1:1 matches for each eligible validator (up to 5M STRK each).
Residual Delegation: if there’s STRK left after matching, the remainder can be distributed evenly among qualified validators as additional delegation. Even distribution promotes decentralization.
Program Cap Adjustments: if the total required for 1:1 matches would exceed the pool, the Foundation scales everyone down proportionally so the program stays within budget.
This helps prevent giant validators who were early into the program from starving out late entrants or smaller validators.
WHO'S ELIBIBLE FOR THE FOUNDATION DELEGATION?
To qualify for s Starknet foundation delegation, validators must meet a clear set of criteria.
CORE REQUIREMENTS
A validator has to:
Run a full Starknet validator node and be active on the network.
Maintain high uptime, typically above 99%, showing reliability.
Be responsive to the Foundation, answering inquiries within 48 hours.
Keep commission at or below 10%, aligning incentives with delegators.
Satisfy applicable regulatory and compliance requirements in their jurisdictions.
The Foundation also monitors validator performance continuously and can rebalance or reduce delegation if a validator falls below standards.
INTERACTION WITH OTHER DELEGATION PROGRAMS
Validators can participate in multiple delegation programs (for example, from StarkWare or other ecosystem initiatives). However:
Any stake they receive from other delegation programs is excluded from the base used for 1:1 matching, which makes sense since the match is based on self-stake.
This prevents “double counting” and keeps the focus on self‑stake and organic delegations.
HOW & WHEN TO APPLY
The Starknet Foundation uses rolling applications with quarterly cutoffs.
APPLICATION WINDOWS
Validators can submit their application at any time, but decisions and rebalancing happen on a quarterly schedule:
Application cut‑offs:
16 February
16 May
16 August
16 November
Notification of outcomes:
End of February
End of May
End of August
End of November
Stake rebalancing (delegation adjustments):
End of March
End of June
End of September
End of December
Practically, this means:
You want your application submitted and your validator in good standing well before a cut‑off date.
You should expect changes to delegation around quarter‑end, as the Foundation evaluates validators and moves delegations from those that aren’t performing.
Applications are submitted via the official Starknet Foundation form.
HOW THIS FITS WITH STARKWARE'S DELEGATION PROGRAM
Alongside the Foundation’s program, StarkWare operates its own delegation program. The requirements and details are slightly different, but goals are aligned:
Encourage a more balanced stake distribution.
Support small and emerging validators as well as established ones.
Cap commission and consensus power to avoid centralization.
Examples of StarkWare’s criteria include:
Existing Track:
At least 1 month as an active validator.
99% uptime.
Minimum 20k STRK self‑stake (excluding delegation programs).
The validator cannot have more than 5% consensus power.
Commission at or below 10%.
Possible testnet participation.
New Track:
At least 3 months as an active validator.
99.5% liveness.
Minimum 1M STRK self‑stake (excluding delegation programs).
Same caps on consensus power and commission.
Testnet participation expectations from Q2 onward.
For validators, the important thing is that both programs care about the same fundamentals: uptime, reasonable commission, testnet experience, and not concentrating too much power in any single operator.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR STRK DELEGATORS
If you’re a STRK holder the Foundation’s delegation program helps you indirectly.
More validators have enough stake to be economically viable, so you have more real choices.
The program’s performance requirements mean that any validator receiving Foundation delegation has to maintain strong uptime and responsiveness.
1:1 matching up to 5M STRK pushes validators to commit their own skin in the game instead of relying entirely on external delegation.
When you choose where to delegate, you can look for:
Validators who meet or exceed the program’s criteria.
Transparent communication about their performance and the ability to reach them via email or socials.
Community participation.
Reasonable commission and a track record across other networks.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR VALIDATORS, LIKE ATLAS STAKING
For serious operators, Starknet’s foundation delegation program is both an opportunity and a responsibility:
It can transform an otherwise marginal validator into a sustainable one by matching self‑stake with up to 5M STRK in delegation.
It requires you to treat Starknet as a first‑class chain with high uptime, monitoring, alerting, redundancy, and clear communication with both the Foundation and delegators.
It incentivizes ongoing testnet participation, governance engagement, and long‑term alignment with the network’s decentralization goals.
A validator that wants to thrive under this model should:
Run professional infrastructure (multi‑region failover, strict monitoring, tested incident runbooks).
Keep commission at or below 10%.
Publish regular updates, staking guides, and clear incident reports when something goes wrong.
Show up consistently in Starknet governance and community spaces.
HOW STRK STAKERS VIEW THE DELEGATION
If you’re delegating STRK rather than running a validator, here’s a simple checklist:
Check eligibility signals
Does your validator publicly commit to uptime targets similar to the program’s >99% requirement?
Is their commission at or below 10%?
Look for skin in the game
Do they disclose meaningful self‑stake or long‑term commitment across other PoS networks?
Evaluate communication and education
Do they publish guides on how to stake STRK, explain Starknet’s PoS roadmap, and talk transparently about risks?
Consider diversification
Spread delegations across more than one validator to reduce operator risk, especially in the early PoS phases.
WRAPPING IT ALL UP
The Starknet Foundation Delegation Program is more than a funding mechanism. It’s a clear statement that Starknet wants a decentralized validator set, with skin in the game and strong operational practices.
For validators, it’s a chance to step up and be measured against transparent criteria. For delegators, it’s a signal that the network is serious about decentralization and resilience.
Atlas Staking is aligned with the Starknet foundation and is committed to operate in the network’s best interest. If you have Bitcoin derivatives or STRK tokens and want to stake with us, just click the button up above!
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Starknet Foundation Delegation Program?
The Starknet Foundation Delegation Program is an initiative that allocates STRK tokens from the foundation to selected validators to support decentralization, improve network security, and make it easier for validators to join and support the ecosystem.
How does Starknet Foundation delegation work for validators?
Under the Starknet Foundation delegation model, eligible validators receive STRK stake from the foundation on top of their own self‑staked tokens. This stake is matched 1:1 up to a defined cap per validator, boosting their voting power and rewards while still requiring real skin in the game.
Why did Starknet create a validator delegation program?
Starknet launched its validator delegation program to accelerate the growth and diversification of the validator set. By delegating STRK to many operators, the foundation can promote decentralization, resilience, and better performance for the Starknet network.
Who can qualify for Starknet Foundation delegation?
Typically, Starknet Foundation delegation is available to validators that meet strict criteria, like running a full node, having high uptime, charging reasonable commission, and maintaining strong operational practices.
Does Starknet Foundation delegation replace normal STRK delegations from users?
No. Foundation delegation is designed to complement, not replace, organic STRK delegations from the community. User delegations still play a crucial role.
How often does the Starknet Foundation adjust its delegations?
The Starknet Foundation typically reviews and rebalances its validator delegations quarterly. During these cycles, validators may see their delegated stake increase, decrease, or move to other operators based on performance and alignment with the program’s goals.
How can I choose a Starknet validator if I’m a STRK delegator?
When choosing a Starknet validator, look for operators with strong uptime, transparent communication, reasonable commission, and a clear track record running infrastructure. Validators that meet Starknet Foundation delegation standards and consistently explain staking risks and rewards are usually better long‑term partners for STRK holders.
Does StarkWare have a separate delegation program from the Starknet Foundation?
Yes. StarkWare runs its own STRK delegation program, while the Starknet Foundation Delegation Program is managed independently. Both programs share the goals of greater decentralization and validator performance, but have distinct application and evaluation processes.
What does Starknet Foundation delegation mean for validators like Atlas Staking?
For validators, like Atlas Staking, a Starknet Foundation delegation can be the difference between running a profitable validator or losing money. Foundation support rewards serious investment in monitoring, security, education, and community engagement, and helps validators commit to Starknet as a first‑class chain in their infrastructure portfolio.
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