Every Canton wallet must be registered to a validator node. Fireblocks registers your wallets to its own validators by default. As an add-on, you can use a dedicated validator that Fireblocks hosts, or connect a Canton validator you already operate. This article explains the options and how to connect your own validator.
Validator options
Choose Fireblocks-managed validator nodes, a dedicated Fireblocks-hosted validator, or your own validator.
Fireblocks-managed validator nodes
Fireblocks runs several Canton validator nodes. We assign the wallets you create to these nodes automatically. You do not need to set anything up, and no add-on is required. Fireblocks-managed validator nodes limit how many Canton wallets you can activate. See the wallet limits section in Create a Canton Wallet.
Fireblocks-hosted dedicated validator
Fireblocks operates and maintains a dedicated Canton validator for you. This includes application package installation, software upgrades, and monitoring. This option is an add-on. To request it, contact your Customer Success Manager (CSM).
Bring Your Own Validator (BYOV)
Connect a Canton validator that you run yourself or through a node provider. After you connect it, new Canton wallets are registered to your validator. Their incoming and outgoing transactions go through your validator instead of Fireblocks-managed validator nodes.
Important: Bring Your Own Validator is an add-on, and it is not enabled by default. To request it, contact your CSM. Your CSM confirms eligibility and coordinates the connection with you.
Bring Your Own Validator requirements
Your validator must meet the Canton Foundation compatibility criteria. Your CSM shares the technical requirements and coordinates onboarding with you.
Your responsibilities
If you run your own validator, you are responsible for the following.
Keep the node software updated according to the Canton Foundation release schedule.
Respond to Canton Network governance events, such as application package updates and protocol upgrades.
Coordinate application package installation and vetting with application providers such as DTCC and Tradeweb. See Connect to Canton Applications and DTCC Tokenization Application on Fireblocks.
Limitations
Existing wallets stay on Fireblocks-managed validator nodes. Only wallets created after you connect are registered to your validator.
Fireblocks-managed validator nodes do not act as a fallback if your validator is unavailable.
Transactions fail if your validator does not have the application packages that Fireblocks supports.
Each validator can host up to 1,000 wallets.
For recovering Canton Coin on a new validator, see Recover Canton Coin (CC).
Request a dedicated validator or your own
Both the Fireblocks-hosted dedicated validator and Bring Your Own Validator are add-ons. To request either option, contact your CSM.