POSDAO
Gnosis transitioned to PoS using the GNO Token, this page defines the pre-merge consensus model. Learn more about The Merge.
Proof of Stake Decentralized Autonomous Organization
POSDAO describes the pre-merge validator selection method for the Gnosis Chain. Validators provide consensus for Gnosis Chain transactions. This method was deprecated immediately following the merge when the Gnosis Beacon Chain became the consensus layer engine.
Validators are selected based on the amount of GNO they place into the protocol along with an on-chain RNG. The validator set is capped at 19, and validator candidates need to place minimums of 2K GNO (current minimum) and setup a valid node to be eligible for participation. In addition, public delegators can place GNO on candidates, increasing their chances of becoming validators in the next set. The validator set can change weekly based on the number of eligible validators and their staking amounts.
Prior to Public POSDAO, Permissioned POSDAO was used nominated validators to sign blocks. Gnosis transitioned to public POSDAO in December, 2020.
Whitepaper
Barinov, I., Arasev, V., Fackler, A., Komendantskiy, V., Gross, A., Kolotov, A. and Isakova, D. POSDAO: Proof of Stake Decentralized Autonomous Organization (April 29, 2019). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3368483 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3368483