Angelo Martin

Angelo Martin

Content Manager @ Asentum

How to Run a Validator Node on a Raspberry Pi

•2:15 PM

A $60 computer, 10 minutes of setup, and $5/year in electricity. That's all it takes to help secure the Asentum network and earn ASX rewards.

Why run a validator?

Validators are the backbone of the Asentum network. They verify transactions, produce blocks, and maintain the integrity of the chain. In return, they earn ASX rewards — block rewards, transaction fees, and delegation commissions.

Most blockchains require expensive server hardware or cloud infrastructure. Asentum's DPoS consensus is lightweight enough that a Raspberry Pi handles it comfortably. That means real decentralization — validators in apartments, home offices, and dorm rooms, not just datacenters.

What you'll need

  • Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB RAM) — ~$55. The 8GB model works too, but 4GB is plenty.
  • 64GB microSD card — ~$8. Class 10 or faster recommended.
  • USB-C power supply — the official Pi power supply or any 5V/3A adapter.
  • Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi — wired is recommended for reliability.
  • 10,000 ASX tokens — the minimum stake to register as a validator.

Total hardware cost: ~$65. That's it. No GPU, no cloud server, no monthly bills.

Step 1: Flash the SD card

Download the Raspberry Pi Imager from raspberrypi.com/software and flash Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit) to your SD card.

Before flashing, click the gear icon in Raspberry Pi Imager to:

  • Enable SSH (so you can connect headless)
  • Set your username and password
  • Configure Wi-Fi if not using Ethernet

Insert the SD card into your Pi, plug in power and Ethernet, and SSH in:

ssh pi@raspberrypi.local

Step 2: Install the node software

One command installs everything:

curl -fsSL https://get.asentum.io | sh

This installs the Asentum node binary, sets up a systemd service for auto-start on boot, and syncs the chain. On a fresh Pi with a decent internet connection, the initial sync takes about 15-30 minutes.

Verify the installation:

asentum version
asentum status  # Check sync progress

Step 3: Create your validator wallet

Generate a new wallet for your validator:

asentum wallet create --validator

This generates a new keypair and outputs your:

  • Validator address — your public identity on the network.
  • Recovery phrase — 24 words. Write these down on paper. Store them safely. Never share them.

⚠️ Back up your recovery phrase. If your SD card fails, this is the only way to recover your validator identity and staked tokens.

Step 4: Stake your ASX

Send at least 10,000 ASX to your validator wallet, then register as a validator:

asentum validator register \
  --stake 10000 \
  --commission 10 \
  --name "my-pi-validator"

The --commission flag sets the percentage you take from delegated staking rewards (10% is typical). The --name is a human-readable label that shows up in the block explorer and voter interface.

Step 5: Start validating

asentum validator start

That's it. Your Pi is now participating in the Asentum network.

If you're in the top 21 by total stake (your stake + delegations from other token holders), you'll actively produce blocks and earn full rewards. If not, you'll be on standby — still syncing, still ready, and still earning a smaller standby reward.

Monitoring your validator

The built-in dashboard runs at http://your-pi-ip:3000 and shows:

  • Blocks produced and your position in the validator rankings.
  • Rewards earned — total and per-epoch breakdown.
  • Peer connections — how many nodes you're connected to.
  • Network health — current block height, chain sync status, memory usage.
  • Delegations — who's staking through you and your commission earnings.

You can also check status from the terminal:

asentum validator status
asentum validator rewards

What you'll earn

Active validators (top 21) earn from three sources:

  • Block rewards: ~0.5 ASX per block produced. With 3-second blocks and 21 validators, each active validator produces roughly 1,371 blocks/day.
  • Priority fees: Transaction tips paid by users for faster inclusion.
  • Delegation commissions: Your cut (e.g., 10%) of rewards from tokens delegated to you by other holders.

Standby validators earn a smaller reward for staying synced and ready. The exact amount depends on network parameters and total staked supply.

Tips for reliable operation

  • Use Ethernet. Wi-Fi works but wired connections are more reliable for block production.
  • Use a UPS. A small uninterruptible power supply (~$30) keeps your Pi running through brief power outages.
  • Use a quality SD card. Cheap cards fail more often. Samsung EVO or SanDisk Extreme are good choices.
  • Keep the Pi cool. A passive heatsink case is enough — no fan needed.
  • Set up auto-updates. The node software auto-updates by default, but check asentum update occasionally.
  • Back up your keys. Store your recovery phrase offline. Consider a second backup in a different physical location.

FAQ

Can I use a Pi 5?

Yes. The Pi 5 is faster and works great. The Pi 4 (4GB) is the minimum recommended hardware.

Can I run it on something other than a Pi?

Absolutely. Any Linux machine with 4GB RAM and a stable internet connection works. Old laptops, mini PCs, VPS instances — all fine. The Pi is just the cheapest option.

What if I'm not in the top 21?

You'll be a standby validator. You still sync the chain and earn smaller rewards. If an active validator goes offline or loses votes, standbys move up. You can also attract delegations to increase your total stake.

What happens if my Pi goes offline?

You'll miss block production slots and earn no rewards while offline. Extended downtime may cause delegators to move their stake. There's no slashing penalty — just lost opportunity. When you come back online, you'll resync and resume automatically.

Don't want to DIY?

Check out the Asentum Node Pro — a pre-configured, plug-and-play validator. Connect to Wi-Fi, stake your tokens, and start earning. Zero terminal required.