Validators are required to operate nodes — computers connected to the blockchain network. These nodes maintain a replica of the entire blockchain and get involved in the consensus process. Any participant can qualify as being a validator by giving the minimal stake collateral and putting together a functional node. https://financefeeds.com/did-investors-who-bought-cardano-and-xrp-before-they-broke-out-in-2024-have-insider-knowledge-what-are-they-buying-today/