The Solana Foundation is implementing a new policy for its Delegation Program, which will see the removal of three long-standing validators for every new validator added. This change targets validators holding under 1,000 SOL in external stake, aiming to reduce reliance on foundation stakes and encourage validators to earn support through authentic community backing. It is estimated that around 150 validators could lose their foundation stake due to this new rule. The foundation currently stakes a significant amount of SOL with smaller validators, helping cover some voting costs for a year for those who pass KYC checks. This initiative seeks to maintain a healthier validator landscape by discouraging dependency on foundation support. The foundation had previously removed validators involved in operating private mempools, demonstrating a commitment to a robust staking environment. As validators seek to sustain their operations, they must find alternative stake sources or face potential closure, marking a pivotal moment in Solana's approach to its validator ecosystem.

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