As we are nearing the end of the 2025 H1 term, it’s time to share your ideas and the improvement suggestions for the next term’s proposal. Please feel free to share your ideally iterative and bite-sized improvement ideas, or give general feedback about the program’s current (now-ending) term.
Please note that the 2025 H1 term of the new Casper Testnet rewards program which would end as of June 30, 2025, has been extended for 1 month, until the end of July 31, 2025, by using the permission given by the last proposal through onchain vote, to have enough time for the feedback/discussion phase and drafting & voting of the next proposal. All operators are expected to keep running their nodes until then with the same rules.
The discussion/feedback floor is expected to be open until the end of July 03, 2025. All feedback/suggestions which come until then will be considered while drafting the next proposal.
Scout (Archival) Node Selection Should Be Held Biannually (Every 6 Months)
Rationale: Archival nodes require significantly more technical effort and financial investment compared to TTL validators. A 6-month term would allow operators to plan infrastructure and server costs more efficiently, increasing stability and long-term participation.
TTL Node Lotteries Can Remain Quarterly, But Selections Should Be Finalized One Month in Advance
Rationale: The current short window between selection and launch creates pressure on participants. Announcing results at least one month in advance would give operators enough time to prepare and ensure smoother onboarding.
One-Time Setup Bonus for Scout Nodes
Rationale: Due to their complexity and initial setup burden, first-time Scout (Archival) Node operators should receive a one-time €100 setup incentive. This would encourage more qualified operators to apply and support network sustainability.
Priority Slot for Participants with Two Consecutive High-Performance Terms
Rationale: Validators who consistently deliver >98% performance over two consecutive periods should be recognized. Granting them a direct placement (non-lottery) for the next round would reward reliability and foster long-term commitment.
Note: This can be limited to a small number of participants to maintain balance.
Geographical Distribution Preference for Scout Nodes
Rationale: Too many archival nodes concentrated in one region can create bottlenecks or redundancy risks. Prioritizing high-quality applications from underrepresented regions (e.g., outside of Europe) would increase decentralization and network resilience.