# ECH0.RE Validators & Registrar - Presentation, 2025 recap & 2026 plans **URL:** \ **Category:** Ecosystem\ **Tags:** validators\ **Created:** [January 1, 2026, 11:56am UTC](https://forum.polkadot.network/t/ech0-re-validators-registrar-presentation-2025-recap-2026-plans/16531 "2026-01-01T11:56:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ech0.re](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forum.polkadot.network/ech0.re/32/6518_2.png) [@ech0.re](https://forum.polkadot.network/u/ech0.re)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 11:56am UTC](https://forum.polkadot.network/t/ech0-re-validators-registrar-presentation-2025-recap-2026-plans/16531/1 "2026-01-01T11:56:19Z")
# `ECH0.RE` general presentation and updates Dear Polkadot community, In October 2024 I wrote this post ( [Introducing ECH0.RE validators: trusted nodes on Kusama and Polkadot](https://forum.polkadot.network/t/introducing-ech0-re-validators-trusted-nodes-on-kusama-and-polkadot/10311) ) introducing myself and my validators on Kusama & Polkadot networks. I’m writing this new post to give you a few updates about what has happened since then, and to present my current situation. The general idea from the main post remains the same (who I am, my motivations, my experience, etc.) so I will only focus on what changed and what comes next. ## About my validators ### What happened in 2025? I already wrote about on my [X profile](https://x.com/ech0re), [website](https://ech0.re/validator), [discord](https://discord.com/users/526886186803920906)… But let me re-clarify it here: **I stopped validation on Kusama.** For most of 2025, and currently, I run two **Polkadot** validators: - **126cWhehuBFhQvbDqt26dWBNgELfkpc72WvJV3sx82qRogkT** (ECH0.RE/01) - 5% commission - **15KhD36jXQsqrAbYCjcTmguPYvBdCNdZFvEZbntAB1mrRN8Y** (ECH0.RE/02) - 5% commission Both are located in **South Africa** , unlike before when they were in France. The idea was to increase **decentralisation** , even if overall performance was slightly reduced. Another key change is that both validators were selected in all cohorts of the **[Decentralised Nodes](https://nodes.web3.foundation)** programme run by W3F: - Cohort 1 ✅ - Cohort 2 ✅ - Cohort 2.1 ✅ - Cohort 3 ✅ I thank W3F for their trust by selecting me for the entire duration of the programme (a bit more than a year), which unfortunately is ending this month. I’ll keep it short here, but you can find **full details** about infrastructure, location, history, identity, hardware specs and more on: - [https://ech0.re/validator](https://ech0.re/validator) (web page on my blog) - [https://validator.ech0.re](https://validator.ech0.re) (dedicated page for my validators) ### What comes in 2026? Following the end of the Decentralised Nodes programme, **changes will happen starting February 2026** : - Both validators will be **relocated to France** , significantly improving performance, but reducing decentralisation. Hardware details are already visible on my website and dashboard. - Commission fees will be **reduced**. The exact value is not decided yet. However, if [Ref #1827](https://polkadot.subsquare.io/referenda/1827) passes, a minimum of 10% will be enforced, and I will set it to the minimum. No other significant changes are planned for now. ## About my registrar This is new. My [Ref #1803](https://polkadot.subsquare.io/referenda/1803) to become a Polkadot registrar was approved and executed 2 days ago, making me official **Polkadot registrar** #5. Currently, as far as I know, four registrars are actively operating: Polkassembly, PolkaIdentity, myself, and OpenSquare. Registrars provide **judgements for on-chain identities**. Anyone can set an identity, but a registrar is needed to validate it using their own verification methods. All operations can be done through my web app: > **[dotid.app - Polkadot Registrar](https://dotid.app)** ![Capture d’écran 2026-01-01 à 12.55.07](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/uploads/polkadot2/original/2X/7/7f62b6937d62af28331012107d62394ce7709908.jpeg) You can use it to: - Teleport DOT from Asset Hub to People chain - Set / update / remove identity - Verify socials: X, Discord, Matrix, email - Verify KYC (for KnownGood judgement) - Request a judgement: **Reasonable** or **KnownGood** - Browse all identities via the **Directory** I also posted a full walkthrough here: [https://x.com/ech0re/status/1995995810266538399?s=20](https://x.com/ech0re/status/1995995810266538399?s=20). You may also contact me directly if you prefer a more human approach rather than using the app. The system also auto-processes on-chain judgement requests (if you used external tools like Polkadot.js) every 10 minutes if verifications are completed. FYI, registrar address: [https://people-polkadot.subscan.io/account/12gL6BDsAMQCij7Ni5CxeN3J9VYwsKAUgbSLxAMbceCkxqv1](https://people-polkadot.subscan.io/account/12gL6BDsAMQCij7Ni5CxeN3J9VYwsKAUgbSLxAMbceCkxqv1) ## About my participation in the ecosystem Just a few things about my participation in the ecosystem beyond my validation and registrar activities. - Actively participating in governance, by voting on-chain but also as a voting member of [Le Nexus DAO](https://lenexus.org). - Tool development for the community: - Activity on social media: I mostly post about Polkadot on my X account, but I’m also active on Discord, especially the community server. ## What I need from you If you appreciate the work I’m doing, **nominating my validators** would help me re-enter the active set after W3F nomination ends. I aim to remain a trusted, reliable, incident-free validator, and I hope you will consider nominating me. ## Wrap up That’s it for now, just a summary of 2025 highlights and what’s coming in 2026. I will publish more detailed posts soon about specific projects I’m building for Polkadot. If you have any questions, need help, or want to discuss identity/validator topics, **feel free to reply here or message me directly** , I’m always happy to talk. Thank you, and I wish you all a happy new year!