cip 0050 - Existing Validator Operators may operate nodes for individuals and entities

README.md

@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ Global Synchronizer CIPs
 | [cip-0047](cip-0047/cip-0047.md) |  | Featured App Activity Markers| Moritz Kiefer | Tokenomics   | Approved |
 | [cip-0048](/cip-0048/cip-0048.md) |  | Raising the Rewards Cap for Validators and Application Providers | Wayne Collier | Tokenomics  | Final |
 | [cip-0049](/cip-0049/cip-0049.md) |  | Incentivizing Cold Backups for Super Validators to Enhance Network Resilience | Vinh Nguyễn | Governance   | Draft |
+| [cip-0050](/cip-0050/cip-0050.md) |  | Controlled Validator Growth Through Trusted Operators | Wayne Collier  | Process   | Withdrawn |
 | [cip-0051](/cip-0051/cip-0051.md) |  | Streamline onchain governance votes | Itai Segall | Governance  | Approved |
 | [cip-0052](/cip-0052/cip-0052.md) |  | Monstera FZE as a SV  at Weight [3] | Eric Saraniecki | Governance   | Approved |
 | [cip-0053](/cip-0053/cip-0053.md) |  |  AngelHack as a Weight 2.5 SV | Eric Saraniecki | Governance   | Approved |
@@ -59,4 +60,3 @@ Global Synchronizer CIPs
 | [cip-0063](/cip-0063/cip-0063.md) |  | Add Kaiko as a Super Validator of Weight 6.5 | Ambre Soubiran | Governance  | Approved |
 | [cip-0064](/cip-0064/cip-0064.md) |  | Delegateless Automation | Julien Tinguely | Standards Track  | Approved |
 | [cip-0066](/cip-0066/cip-0066.md) |  | Mint Canton Coin from Unminted/Unclaimed Pool | Jose Velasco| Tokenomics | Approved |
-

cip-0050/cip-0050.md

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+## CIP 0050
+
+<pre>
+  CIP: CIP 0050
+  Title: Controlled Validator Growth Through Trusted Operators
+  Author: Wayne Collier 
+  Status: Withdrawn
+  Type: Process
+  Created: 2025-03-11
+  License: CC1
+</pre>
+
+## Abstract
+
+- Allow existing Validator operators to create up to 10 additional Validators for third-party participants.
+- Redirect new individual Validator applicants to approved existing operators.
+## Specification
+
+- Existing Validator operators will be authorized to create up to 10 additional Validators for third-party participants. Once an existing Validator operator has spun up the ten (10) allotted nodes, they can request an additional alottment from the Tokenomics committee. 
+- Third-party applicants wishing to run a Validator will be redirected to an existing operator.
+-Whitelisting requests, if the node will not share an existing IP address, will come from the existing Validator operator who sponsors the new node
+In the case that the onboarded node receives its own IP address in the whitelist, the whitelist will indicate the Validator Operator as the responsible party for the node. 
+-Credit for onboarding the Validator goes to the sponsoring Validator Operator
+-The Validator onboarding secret will be issued by a Super Validator, as before.
+- Pre-approved operators, such as Kiln, Dfns and Copper, who have already been granted the right to operate up to 30 validator nodes, will retain that right.
+- Operators will be given discretion in onboarding third-party Validator nodes. After reaching the limit of ten additional nodes onboarded through this process, these operators may request additional node hosting permissions from the GSF Tokenomics committee. 
+- This policy ensures a structured and scalable approach to Validator expansion while maintaining network integrity and supportability.
+- The [application process](https://sync.global/validator-request/) will remain in place for requests to become a Validator Operator.
+
+## Motivation
+
+- As interest in the network grows, there is increasing demand from individuals wanting to become Validators. However, onboarding independent Validators without oversight could introduce operational and security risks. This proposal establishes a controlled mechanism for growth, leveraging existing trusted operators to facilitate expansion while maintaining an orderly network.
+- Maintain a controlled, trusted, and orderly network expansion.
+
+
+## Rationale
+
+The current approach ensures:
+- Network stability by limiting Validator growth to approved operators.
+- A direct point of contact for any network-related issues.
+- A structured expansion process that aligns with the network’s steady rollout.
+- Efficient use of existing operators' expertise and infrastructure.
+
+Alternative approaches, such as an open application process, were considered but deemed too difficult to manage at this stage. This proposal strikes a balance between controlled growth and decentralization.
+
+
+## Backwards compatibility
+
+This proposal does not introduce any backwards incompatibilities. It only modifies the policy for onboarding new Validators.
+
+## Reference implementation
+
+No code changes are required for this proposal. Implementation involves updating policy documentation and communicating guidelines to existing Validator operators.
+
+## Copyright
+
+This CIP is licensed under CC0-1.0: [Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/).
+