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🚀 Starknet Validator Solo Staking Guide

Starknet is a Layer 2 network built on Ethereum, designed for scalability and performance using STARK proofs ⚡ This guide walks you through the complete process of becoming a Starknet validator and Solo Staker using the DAppNode Starknet Staking package and its built-in UI. Let's get started! 🎉

✅ Prerequisites​

  • 🦊 A Starknet-compatible wallet: Ready Wallet, MetaMask (Starknet Snap), or Braavos
  • 🖥️ Access to a synced Starknet full node (Juno or Pathfinder)
  • 💰 Minimum STRK balance:
    • Sepolia: 1 STRK
    • Mainnet: 20,000 STRK

1️⃣ Install the Starknet Staking Package on DAppNode​

  1. Open your DAppNode UI.
  2. Go to the Stakers tab and select Starknet 🎯
  3. Follow the setup flow to install the package.

Stakers tab

During the installation process, you will need to enter:

  • Operational Address — The address for your operator account
  • Private Key — The private key from your operator account (needed for attestations 🔑)

💡 See step 2 for how to create and set up your accounts if you haven't already.

Dappnode

2️⃣ Set Up Your Accounts​

Open the package UI from DAppNode. The landing page guides you through the entire setup! 🧭

Landing page

🦊 Choose Your Wallet​

Download and install one of the supported wallets:

👛 Create Three Accounts​

You need three Starknet accounts for security:

  • 🏦 Staker — Holds your stake (cold wallet recommended)
  • ⚙️ Operator — Signs attestations and pays gas (hot wallet)
  • 🎁 Rewards — Receives earned rewards

Create them in your wallet as Standard Accounts.

Ready wallet create account

💸 Fund Your Accounts​

  • Fund your staker account with the required STRK amount (plus extra for gas fees).
  • Fund your operator account with a small amount for gas.

🧪 On Sepolia, you can use the Starknet Faucet. 🌉 You can bridge STRK from Ethereum via StarkGate or swap on a Starknet DEX like AVNU.

🔐 Export Your Operator Private Key​

The staking package needs your operator private key for attestations. Export it from your wallet:

export PK

3️⃣ Connect Your Wallet​

  1. Open the package UI from DAppNode.
  2. Click Connect Wallet in the header 🔗
  3. Select your wallet and approve the connection.
  4. The UI will verify you are on the correct network (Mainnet or Sepolia).

Connect Wallet

Once connected, you'll see the Dashboard with your account balances! 🎊

Dashboard

4️⃣ Create Your Validator​

From the Dashboard, click Create Validator. The UI handles the full staking process for you! 🪄

Create Validator

Step 1: Approve STRK ✍️​

  • Enter the amount you want to stake.
  • Click Approve STRK Allowance and confirm in your wallet.

Step 2: Stake 🥩​

  • Enter your operator address and rewards address.
  • Click Confirm Stake and confirm in your wallet.

The attestation process starts automatically and your validator will be live! 🟢🎉

5️⃣ Manage Your Validator​

The Dashboard shows your validator status with real-time data:

  • 🟢 Validator status — Active, Paused, Exiting, or Exited
  • 💰 Staked amount — Total STRK staked
  • 🎁 Rewards earned — Accumulated rewards

Validator

🎮 Available Actions​

  • 🎁 Claim Rewards — Withdraw earned rewards to your rewards account
  • ➕ Add Stake — Increase your staked amount (approve + stake flow)
  • 📝 Change Reward Address — Update where rewards are sent
  • 🔓 Unstake — Initiate the unstaking process (irreversible)

⏳ Unstaking Process​

Unstaking is a two-phase process:

  1. 🚪 Initiate Unstake — Start the withdrawal process. This action is irreversible!
  2. ⏰ Waiting Period — 7 days on Mainnet / 5 minutes on Sepolia. The UI shows a countdown.
  3. ✅ Complete Unstake — Once the waiting period ends, withdraw your staked funds.

💡 Notes & Tips​

  • ⏰ Keep your validator client running 24/7 to avoid penalties.
  • 🧪 Always test your setup on Sepolia before moving to Mainnet.
  • 🔐 Use separate accounts for staker, operator, and rewards for better security.

📚 References​