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How to use the nominator pool

tip

Before reading this tutorial, you should familiarize yourself with nominator pool specification.

Running the validator in nominator pool mode​

  1. Set up the hardware for the validator — you will need 16 cores CPU, 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe SSD (or ≥64k IOPS), 1 Gbit/s network connectivity, Public IP.

    To maintain network stability, distribute validator nodes across different geographical locations worldwide rather than concentrating them in a single data center. See recommended providers.

    caution

    Ensure your hardware meets or exceeds the specifications above. Running the validator on insufficient hardware negatively impacts the network and could result in penalties.

  2. Install and synchronize MyTonCtrl as described in the guide here.

  3. Transfer 1 Toncoin to the validator wallet address listed by the wl command.

  4. Use the aw command to activate your validator wallet.

  5. Activate pool mode:

    enable_mode nominator-pool
    set stake null

  6. Create two pools (for even and odd validation rounds):

    Run in the MyTonCtrl console.

    new_pool p1 0 1 1000 300000
    new_pool p2 0 1 1001 300000

    Where:

    • p1 is the pool name;
    • 0 is the validator's reward share in percents (e.g., use 40 for 40%);
    • 1 is the maximum number of nominators in the pool (should be <= 40);
    • 1000 TON is the minimum validator stake (should be >= 1K TON);
    • 300000 TON is the minimum nominator stake (should be >= 10K TON);
    note

    Pool configurations do not have to be identical. You can add 1 Toncoin to the minimum stake of one pool to make them different.

    tip

    Use https://tonmon.xyz/ to determine the current minimum validator stake.

  7. Type pools_list to display pool addresses:

    pools_list
    Name  Status  Balance  Address
    p1    empty   0        0f98YhXA9wnr0d5XRXT-I2yH54nyQzn0tuAYC4FunT780qIT
    p2    empty   0        0f9qtmnzs2-PumMisKDmv6KNjNfOMDQG70mQdp-BcAhnV5jL
    info

    Addresses may appear in raw form (starting with 0f…) or user-friendly form (starting with kf…). Both represent the same address in different formats.

  8. Send 1 Toncoin to each pool and activate the pools:

    mg validator_wallet_001 0f98YhXA9wnr0d5XRXT-I2yH54nyQzn0tuAYC4FunT780qIT 1
    mg validator_wallet_001 0f9qtmnzs2-PumMisKDmv6KNjNfOMDQG70mQdp-BcAhnV5jL 1
    activate_pool p1
    activate_pool p2

  9. Type pools_list to display pools:

    pools_list
    Name  Status  Balance      Address
    p1    active  0.731199733  kf98YhXA9wnr0d5XRXT-I2yH54nyQzn0tuAYC4FunT780v_W
    p2    active  0.731199806  kf9qtmnzs2-PumMisKDmv6KNjNfOMDQG70mQdp-BcAhnV8UO

  10. Open each pool via the link https://tonscan.org/nominator/{address_of_pool} and verify each pool’s configuration.

  11. Proceed with the validator deposit to each pool:

    deposit_to_pool validator_wallet_001 <address_of_pool_1> 1005
    deposit_to_pool validator_wallet_001 <address_of_pool_2> 1005

In these commands, 1005 TON is the deposit amount. Ensure you attach sufficient fees as required; see the nominator pool specification for details.

  1. Make a nominator deposit to each pool.

    • Visit the pool link (from Step 10) and click ADD STAKE.
    • You can also make a deposit using MyTonCtrl with the following commands:
    mg nominator_wallet_001 <address_of_pool_1> 300001 -C d
    mg nominator_wallet_001 <address_of_pool_2> 300001 -C d

The nominator wallet must be initialized in the basechain (workchain 0).

Remember that the validator and nominator wallets must be stored separately! Store the validator wallet on the server with the validator node to ensure the processing of all system transactions. Meanwhile, store the nominator wallet in your cold cryptocurrency wallet.

To withdraw a nominator deposit, send a transaction with the comment w to the pool address (attach 1 TON to process the transaction). You can also perform this action using mytonctrl.

  1. Invite nominators to deposit into your pools. Participation in validation will commence automatically.
note

Ensure you have at least 200 TON/month in your validator wallet for operation fees.

In the TON blockchain, the validator cycle is approximately 18 hours, and there are roughly 40.5 validation rounds per month (assuming a 30-day month).

Here's the breakdown of costs based on participation:

  • Participating in only odd or even cycles (half of the rounds):

    • Rounds per month: ~20.25
    • Cost per round: ~5 Toncoins
    • total cost = 20.25 * 5 -> ~101.25 Toncoins

  • Participating in both odd and even cycles (all rounds):

    • Rounds per month: ~40.5
    • Cost per round : ~ 5 Toncoins
    • total cost = 40.5 * 5 -> ~202.50 Toncoins

Pool configuration​

If you intend to self-nominate, use new_pool p1 0 1 1000 300000 (maximum of 1 nominator, 0% validator share).

If you're creating a pool for numerous nominators, you might use something like this: new_pool p1 40 40 10000 10000 (maximum of 40 nominators, 40% validator share, minimum participant stakes of 10K TON).

Transitioning a regular validator to nominator pool mode​

  1. Input set stake 0 to discontinue election participation.

  2. Await the return of both your stakes from the elector.

  3. Proceed with the steps under Running the validator in nominator pool mode from the 4th step onwards.

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