Nodes on the Maya Protocol play a vital role in maintaining network security, enabling cross-chain interoperability, providing liquidity, participating in consensus, and contributing to the overall governance and functioning of the Maya ecosystem.

Here are some of the main functions and purposes of nodes on the Maya Protocol:

• Validators: Nodes participate in the consensus protocol of Maya and act as validators. They help secure the network by verifying and validating transactions and blocks. Validators play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and consensus of the Maya blockchain

• Network Security: Nodes contribute to the security of the network by running and maintaining a copy of the blockchain. They help propagate transactions and blocks across the network, ensuring that the information is replicated and validated by multiple nodes.

• Liquidity Providers: Maya implements a decentralized liquidity protocol, allowing users to swap assets across different blockchain networks. Nodes, known as liquidity providers, supply liquidity to the network by depositing assets into liquidity pools. These liquidity pools enable seamless and decentralized cross-chain asset swaps.

• Cross-Chain Coordination: Nodes facilitate the interoperability of different blockchain networks. They help coordinate and facilitate the movement of assets and transactions across various chains, allowing users to access and utilize assets from different blockchains.

• Economic Incentives: Nodes in the Maya Protocol are incentivized to participate and contribute to the network through economic rewards. Validators receive rewards for their role in securing the network, while liquidity providers earn fees and incentives for providing liquidity to the pools.

• Consensus Governance: Nodes can participate in the governance process of Maya by voting on proposals and protocol upgrades. They have the power to influence the direction and development of the network through voting and decision-making.

In the Maya Protocol there are different types of nodes with specific roles and responsibilities. Here are the main types of nodes: Genesis, Validator, Fullnode and Deamon.

Validator nodes play a crucial role in securing the Maya network and participating in the consensus mechanism. They validate transactions, propose new blocks, and help maintain the integrity of the blockchain. Validator nodes are responsible for ensuring the correctness and validity of transactions and blocks through their participation in the consensus protocol.

Node operators are individuals or entities responsible for operating and maintaining the infrastructure required to run Maya nodes. They set up and manage the hardware, software, and network infrastructure necessary for the smooth functioning of the nodes.

To become a validator node operator, certain requirements and qualifications must be met. While the specific details may vary, the general criteria include:

• Technical Competence: Validator node operators should possess a good understanding of blockchain technology, consensus algorithms, and node operation. They should have the technical skills to set up, configure, and maintain the node infrastructure.

• Staking Requirements: Validator nodes typically require a certain amount of stake to be locked in the network as collateral. This stake acts as a bond and ensures that validators have a vested interest in maintaining the network's security and integrity.

• Experience and Reputation: Experience in running blockchain nodes or participating in other consensus networks may have an advantage.

It's important to note that the specific process for becoming a validator node operator in the Maya Protocol may be subject to the protocol's governance and network-specific rules. It's advisable to refer to the official Maya documentation, community channels, or governance forums for detailed information on the requirements and procedures to become a validator node operator.

Types of node status:

• Unknown: this should never be possible for a valid node account

• Whitelisted: node has been bonded, but hasn't set their keys yet

• Standby: waiting to have minimum requirements verified to become “ready” status. This check happens on each churn event.

• Ready: node has met minimum requirements to be churned and is ready to do so. Could be selected to churn into the network. Cannot unbond while in this status.

• Active: node is an active participant of the network, by securing funds and committing new blocks to the THORChain blockchain. Cannot unbond while in this status.

• Disabled: node has been disabled by use of LEAVE while in standby, and cannot re-join.