Pip Labs is working with the Story Foundation to propose an updated Foundation Delegation Program designed to redeploy and redelegate token allocations to all qualified validators. This initiative aims to build sustainable, decentralized validator infrastructure in a credibly neutral way, while encouraging more active validator involvement in the Story ecosystem.
Proposed Program Objectives
The updated program aims to:
Strengthen support for validators who demonstrate technical excellence and contribute meaningfully to the Story ecosystem
Enhance decentralization by rebalancing delegation to provide additional support to smaller validators
Encourage active validator participation through community engagement, governance, and ecosystem development
Build a resilient, long-term validator network that scales with Story Protocol’s growth
Appropriately redeploy token delegations from existing validators based on updated performance criteria
Key Changes Under Consideration
Refined point-based scoring system (up to 1,000 points) with updated criteria for technical capabilities, ecosystem contributions, and business sustainability
Four delegation tiers with adjusted thresholds based on performance and commitment levels
Enhanced decentralization bonus providing up to an additional 1 million $IP and an added number of points to support smaller validators
Flexible validator options (locked and unlocked) to accommodate different operational models
Redeployment mechanism to reallocate delegations from underperforming validators to those meeting new standards
Anticipated Rollout Timeline
Once the proposal is finalized and approved by Story Foundation, the updated program is expected to roll out over four weeks:
Week
Phase
Details
Week 1
Introduction
High-level overview of updated rubric system, initial validator feedback collection
Week 2
Deep Dive
Detailed program mechanics, delegation feedback form opens
Week 3
Finalization
Program finalizes, delegation recipients evaluated
Week 4
Announcement
Delegation recipients announced; appeals accepted
Week 5
Execution
Foundation delegations (and redelegation) commences on-chain
How Validators Can Prepare
Validators interested in participating must:
review the proposed program requirements and scoring criteria, as more details revealed over the next week and create an account at Story Foundation’s forum at https://forum.story.foundation
prepare documentation of technical infrastructure, ecosystem contributions, and team credentials – post to Introductions - Story's Forum
More details will be shared as Pip Labs and Story Foundation finalize the proposal. We appreciate the validator community’s patience and input as we refine this important initiative.
Thanks for sharing this update. At Cumulo, we see the new direction of the program as closely aligned with the way we approach validator operations: sustainable infrastructure, consistent participation, and meaningful contributions to strengthen the ecosystem.
It’s encouraging to see the framework evolve in a way that emphasizes these values. For us, it’s an added motivation to keep building and supporting Story with the same commitment we’ve had since the early testnet.
We’ll be following the next steps closely and are ready to engage throughout the process.
Thanks for sharing this update. The direction of the revised program feels thoughtful and well structured, and we appreciate the focus on decentralization and meaningful validator contribution.
OriginStake team continue follow the upcoming phases closely. Looking forward to contributing wherever we can and growing alongside the network.
We can re-evaluate the position about the scope of the program. The program will lean towards existing validators, and since the current active set of validators have expanded to 80 validators, node operators with a strong track record operating other chains are encouraged to participate.
This is wonderful to see. We’re a small shop, a shark amongst whale validators that seem to gather foundation delegations across ecosystems. Whether we are selected to receive a foundation delegation or not, your forum post and the updated program tells us we’re supporting the right project.
Are you able to please elaborate on the first key point, ecosystem contributions, and business sustainability? What comprises “business sustainability?” Or, is it “wait for more info, home boy. That will get hashed out in week one” LOL.
We just got knocked out of the active set. Damn! Is there any chance inactive validators can get a foundation delegation because of past involvement, or are we eliminated from consideration?
Glad to see a more transparent and structured approach to the Foundation Delegation Program.
We’ve supported the Story network from early on and contributed through infrastructure and ecosystem tooling. We strongly welcome this updated framework, as it better aligns incentives, rewards meaningful contribution, and encourages long-term commitment to Story’s growth and decentralization.
Looking forward to engaging as the program moves forward.
Thanks for sharing this update. Grand Valley is aligned with the focus on decentralisation and clear, transparent criteria.
Looking forward to the next steps.
Hello everyone! I’m Ivan from SenseiNode. Thanks for sharing this update, the revised Delegation Program looks great and clearly focused on strengthening decentralization and validator excellence across the network.
As a potential new long-term partner of Story, we’re excited to see a program that creates a transparent and merit-driven path for new and existing validators to contribute meaningfully. It’s especially encouraging to know that operators with a strong track record across other networks will have the opportunity to participate in this new framework.
SenseiNode is the largest staking provider in LatAm (verified on Staking Rewards). We operate 10,000+ validators across 35+ networks, with a unique focus on Latin America while maintaining the ability to deploy nodes globally across multiple regions and jurisdictions, such as Africa and APAC. We’re fully committed to supporting Story with the same institutional-grade reliability, compliance, and SOC2 Type II & ISO 27001 certified infrastructure we deliver worldwide.
We will closely follow the upcoming phases, prepare the necessary documentation, and remain active in the community as the program evolves. We look forward to contributing to Story’s growth and securing our place within the community
Thanks for sharing, @jack-story. Looking forward to further information about the program while we prepare our introduction.
I would like to say that it has been really a pleasure for Mandragora team, jointly with Coha05, being one of the main baselines on testnet phases to evaluate other folks for the mainnet genesis validators selection prior to mainnet launch.
Thanks Pip Labs and Story Foundation for the update.
As J-Node, I fully support the revised delegation program and its focus on technical performance and decentralization. I’ll review the new rubric and submit all required validator information. Looking forward to contributing during the next phases.
We at Stakely are excited to have the chance to support Story and be part of this awesome project. We just recently slipped out of the active set due to lack of stake, but we are still running our infra (public load balancer, faucet and node deployment service) and remain committed to developing services for the network.
Good to see the Foundation Delegation program is getting some serious traction.
As an early supporter of Story we fully support this initiative and we will check how P-OPS team can participate and maybe help out here.
Thanks for the updated information. We at Chainflow are happy to continue contributing and supporting the ecosystem and we look forward to seeing more details of the revised delegation plan.
One thing we’d recommend is that the criteria are as clear as possible as well as the ways of measuring such criteria. For instance, we have seen the last Week 50 Validator Stats and despite having mean, max and min uptime at 100% across, we do not figure in the top 10.
Thank you for sharing the updated Foundation Delegation Program, which focuses on decentralization, credible neutrality, and long-term validator sustainability.
We operate 1XP, a professional validator with active mainnet and testnet experience across multiple PoS networks. We have been actively supporting the Story ecosystem since early last year, including consistent participation across Story testnets, and have invested significantly to be operationally ready for mainnet. While we were not selected in the initial validator set, we remain fully committed to Story and welcome this updated, performance-driven delegation framework.
We operate with a strong focus on security and reliability, including an ISO27001–certified information security management system, and are preparing detailed documentation on our infrastructure, testnet contributions, and team background for the Introductions section.
We would appreciate clarification on how sustained testnet participation and prior validator experience on other production networks are weighted under the updated scoring rubric.
We look forward to continued engagement and appreciate the Foundation’s efforts to build a resilient, decentralized validator network.
