We appreciate the thoughtful work that has gone into this JIP and the clear intent to address negative dynamics in the StakeNet validator pool. The shift away from TVC as the primary ranking metric is a significant step toward aligning incentives with the long-term health and decentralization of Solana.
However, while acknowledging the long-term commitments and contributions from the operators that run their validators for long time, the heavy weighting of validator age in the new ranking system raises important concerns about entrenching incumbency. As @Simple and @huisky have pointed out, this approach could make it increasingly difficult for new, high-quality validators to gain meaningful participation in the pool, potentially reducing the diversity that underpins network resilience. As we assume the race to zero on the commission rates would happen, how does the proposal intend to balance the benefits of rewarding longevity with the need to ensure ongoing opportunities for new operators, especially those who can demonstrate strong operational performance and alignment with Solana’s goals? If the motivation is centered on discouraging sybil validators, would there be other methods to reduce the scoring of them?
We believe these questions are critical to to be addressed, ensuring that JIP-25 not only addresses current issues but also sets a sustainable foundation for future growth and innovation within the validator ecosystem.