# Authorization to Blacklist Validators for Mempool Participation and Other Malicious Behaviors **URL:** \ **Category:** JIP - Drafts\ **Created:** [June 9, 2024, 11:10pm UTC](https://forum.jito.network/t/authorization-to-blacklist-validators-for-mempool-participation-and-other-malicious-behaviors/318 "2024-06-09T23:10:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 1
**Author:** ![andrewt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f05b48/32.png) [@andrewt](https://forum.jito.network/u/andrewt)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2024, 11:10pm UTC](https://forum.jito.network/t/authorization-to-blacklist-validators-for-mempool-participation-and-other-malicious-behaviors/318/1 "2024-06-09T23:10:11Z")
## 1. DRAFT: Authorization to Blacklist Validators for Mempool Participation and Other Malicious Behaviors ### 2. Abstract This Jito Improvement Proposal (JIP) seeks to empower a working group of validators and community members to blacklist validators from the Jito Stake Pool who are found to be engaged in behaviors deemed harmful to the Solana ecosystem, such as private mempool participation and vote lagging. This working group will be responsible for maintaining and updating the blacklist that will be implemented by Jito Labs through StakeNet if [JIP-3 passes](https://forum.jito.network/t/jip-3-transfer-of-jito-stake-pool-management-to-stakenet-protocol-development/309). ### 3. Motivation An investigation conducted by Jito Labs recently found that roughly ~10% of Jito Stake Pool validators are currently engaged in private mempool participation, among other adverse behaviors to the ecosystem. The motivation behind this proposal is to disincentivize behaviors that negatively impact the Solana network and JitoSOL stakeholders. Private mempools and similar behaviors are undisclosed, reduce rewards to JitoSOL stakers, and promote centralization. Implementing a blacklist will enhance network integrity, reward positive-sum validator behavior, and strengthen trust in the JitoSOL ecosystem. ### 4. Key Terms - Solana: Solana is a credibly neutral blockchain. - Jito Foundation: The Jito Foundation is an opinionated legal entity whose mandate includes promoting productive adoption of Jito Network products as well as the broader Solana ecosystem. - Blacklist: A list of validators prohibited from receiving stake from JitoSOL network due to harmful behaviors. - Private Mempool: Non-public mempools in which transactions are broadcast to searchers ahead of finality, providing an opportunity for searchers to execute harmful MEV strategies such as sandwich attacks. - Working Group: A group of Jito delegates and community members responsible for managing the blacklist. - Appeal Process: A procedure allowing blacklisted validators to contest their inclusion on the blacklist. ### 5. Specification #### Working Group Formation - This proposal will lead to the establishment of a working group of 4-10 respected Solana validators, prioritizing current governance delegates from the validator community and initially selected by the Jito Foundation. - The working group will be responsible for periodically reviewing data from Jito Labs and other relevant parties regarding Solana validators to assess whether validators are engaged in malicious behavior, and if so, to assign those validators to the blacklist. - The initial working group members will be disclosed within 2 weeks of this posting so voters have 2 weeks to assess their qualifications prior to deciding on JIP-4. #### Blacklist Criteria Validators may be blacklisted for behaviors including, but not limited to: - Private mempool participation - Vote lagging (this should become irrelevant once SIMD-033 takes effect; expected by Q4 2024) - Commission rugging: Raising commissions to a high level without disclosure in attempt to steal staking rewards - Any behavior deemed not in the best interest of the Jito Network and the broader Solana community. This final criteria is, unfortunately, lacking specificity, but given the rapidly-evolving nature of validator behavior, pre-approval for specific activities impairs the ability of JitoSOL to react in a timely manner. An example of such behavior would be validators unbundling Jito bundles to steal profits or internalizing sandwiches without disclosure and retaining those profits. These decisions will be reversable via governance if the community disagrees with specific stances. #### Blacklist Management - The working group will periodically publicize the blacklist and the reasons for blacklisting, maintaining confidentiality on detection methodologies in order to maintain effectiveness. - Blacklisted validators will have the right to appeal to the working group for re-evaluation if they wish to contest the decision. - Blacklist will operate with a “three strike” system: first time offenders are blacklisted for six months, second time offenders for nine months, and third time offenders permanently blacklisted. #### Collaboration with Other Protocols - The working group will explore collaboration with other major stakers such as the Solana Foundation Delegation Program, mSOL, and bSOL to develop a unified blacklist across protocols. - This may be step 1 in a broader validator reputation scoring system that creates an ecosystem coalition to establish non-performance based standards for validator ranking. This would be positive for JitoSOL but also a public good for all stakers in the Solana ecosystem. #### Performance Milestones - Initial Setup: Formation of the working group and establishment of the initial blacklist within one month of proposal acceptance. - Quarterly Reviews: Regular reviews and updates of the blacklist and criteria. - Community Involvement: Ongoing engagement with the community and other major stakers for feedback and collaboration. Additionally, the DAO can modify the Blacklist Committee specifications at any point via a governance vote, and the Foundation will seek to evaluate and potentially restructure the Blacklist Committee construction and parameters after a period of six months. ### 6. Benefits/Risks Benefits: - Enhanced Network Integrity: Reducing harmful behaviors will improve the overall health, performance and decentralization of the Solana network. - Fair Rewards Distribution: Ensuring all validators play by the same rules will promote a fair distribution of rewards. - Community Trust: Increased transparency and proactive management will enhance trust in the JitoSOL ecosystem and the broader Solana network. Risks: - Centralization Risk: Because the detection methods have to remain private by nature, blacklist committee participation entails a high-trust position. - Conflict of Interest: Members of the working group may face backlash from blacklisted validators/their colleagues in the community. ### 7. Outcomes Successful implementation of this proposal will result in the establishment of a reliable blacklist system, promoting fair practices within the JitoSOL network. This system will be adaptable, with regular reviews and updates based on community feedback and evolving network conditions. ### 8. Cost Summary The implementation of this proposal will initially require no financial resources but may involve compensation for the working group members if the workload becomes substantial. Future related proposals may request additional funds for community audits and expanded working group roles. --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.jito.network/t/authorization-to-blacklist-validators-for-mempool-participation-and-other-malicious-behaviors/318)._