Overview: Comparing Emergency Exit and Renounce Processes

Introduction

This document highlights the differences between the Emergency Exit and Renounce processes available to validators in the Ronin network. Both mechanisms allow validators to exit their roles, but they serve distinct purposes and workflows. Additionally, their impact on a validator’s block production role and candidate status varies significantly.

Key Differences

FeatureEmergency ExitRenounce
PurposeFor validators facing exceptional circumstances.For validators voluntarily stepping down.
EligibilityAvailable to all validators.Restricted for governing validators.
Stake HandlingStake is locked during the process and managed by governance.Stake remains unaffected; role renunciation is scheduled.
Governance VotingRequires governor approval through an emergency exit poll.No governance voting required.
Impact on Block ProductionBlock producer role is disabled immediately after the next epoch.Candidate continues to join validator selection process until the revocation timestamp.
Impact on Candidate ListRemains in candidate list until period ending of the revoking timestamp and eligible for rewards.Same as renounce
Fund RecyclingLocked funds are recycled if the poll expires.No recycling mechanism; funds remain intact.

Emergency Exit Process

  • Use Case: Designed for validators encountering unexpected issues, such as security threats, operational failures, or loss of private keys.
  • Governance Role:
    • Governors must vote on an emergency exit poll.
    • Approval releases the validator’s locked stake; disapproval or expiration results in recycling the stake.
  • Impact on Block Production:
    • The validator is removed as a block producer starting from the next epoch.
    • Ensures immediate mitigation of risks from compromised validators.
  • Impact on Candidate Status:
    • The validator remains in the candidate list util the period ending of revoking timestamp.
  • Fund Management:
    • Locked funds are securely managed in RoninValidatorSet.
    • Upon poll expiration, locked funds are recycled into the StakingVesting contract.
  • Outcome:
    • The validator is removed from block production and candidate list.

Renounce Process

  • Use Case: Allows validators to voluntarily step down while maintaining network continuity.
  • Governance Role:
    • Non-governing validators can renounce freely.
    • Governing validators cannot renounce due to their critical role in governance.
  • Impact on Block Production:
    • The candidate continues to join validator selection and responsibilities until the revocation timestamp is reached.
  • Impact on Candidate Status:
    • The validator remains fully eligible for rewards and voting until the revocation timestamp.
  • Fund Management:
    • No stake is locked or recycled during the process.
  • Outcome:
    • The validator exits the set after the revocation timestamp, allowing for controlled role handover.