Humanode 1.0

True Decentralization – Road to 10,000 human nodes

Humanode Core

04 Mar 2025 • 10 min read

When people hear the word “decentralization,” they often think of blockchain – a system where power is distributed, no single entity controls the system, and communities make decisions collectively. But if we look closer, reality tells a different story.

Even though the concept of blockchain has existed for decades, it became popular with Bitcoin whitepaper. It was supposed to change how power works and to give control back to the people, removing the need for banks, corporations, and centralized authorities.

Bitcoin started as something anyone could mine from a laptop. Today, a handful of mining pools control most of the hashrate. Ethereum’s transition to Proof-of-Stake only made things worse – staking giants and centralized exchanges now hold the majority of staked ETH. The same pattern keeps repeating: power accumulates where money flows.

If decentralization is built on who has the most resources, is it really decentralization? The promise of a truly decentralized financial system has been overshadowed by the same power structures that blockchain was meant to replace.

But what if decentralization wasn’t determined by wealth? What if influence wasn’t something you could buy?

From the beginning, the goal of Humanode has been true decentralization – a network where every person has an equal say, and no entity can buy control. Expanding on this vision of true decentralization, as part of Humanode 1.0, we set the target on reaching 10,000 unique human nodes.

But why does this matter? Why is increasing the validator count so crucial? And what happens when we actually reach 10,000 human nodes (validators)?

To answer these questions, let’s go back to the core issue: what true decentralization means, and why blockchain has drifted away from it.

What’s true decentralization

Decentralization was supposed to be the foundation of Blockchain. The idea was simple: no central authority, no intermediaries, and no gatekeepers. Just peer-to-peer systems governed by code and community.

But reality didn’t quite match the vision.

PoW led to mining cartels. A few mining pools now control most of Bitcoin’s hashrate.
PoS concentrated power in staking whales. The top 1% of validators hold the majority of voting power on major PoS chains.
DAOs became token-weighted plutocracies. The richest participants dictate the outcomes of governance.

In every case, decentralization was undermined by financial incentives. Instead of creating systems that distributed power evenly, blockchains replicated the inequalities of the traditional financial world.

Humanode takes a different approach.

Humanode takes a different approach. Instead of relying on money, it uses Proof of Biometric Uniqueness (PoBU), ensuring that every participant is a real, unique human.

With this approach:

No one can buy influence. Your validator node is tied to your unique biometrics, not your wealth.
No mining pools or staking whales. Power is equally distributed among all human nodes.
Sybil attacks are almost near to impossible. Since each node is linked to a real person, fake accounts can’t manipulate the network.

By expanding the network to 10,000 human nodes, we aren’t aiming to just increase node count – we are leaping real decentralization.

But how close are we to this goal? And what have we already achieved?

Let’s look at the current state.

Where we stand today

Since launching the Humanode mainnet in Q4 2022, we have made significant strides toward our vision.

Let’s take a look at the numbers.

1,758 active human nodes – Each one verified through bio-authentication, ensuring that no single entity can create multiple nodes.
One of the highest Nakamoto Coefficients in blockchain, Humanode is already among the top most decentralized networks by this metric, surpassing many well-known PoS and PoW chains.

11 million blocks produced – 11 million blocks successfully finalized without a dime in staking or minting any tokens.

This means that, even at our current size, Humanode is already more decentralized compared to most blockchains.

This is just the beginning. Our next milestone: 10,000 unique human nodes.

What happens when we reach 10,000 human nodes?

Expanding to 10,000 unique human nodes isn’t just about hitting a milestone – it fundamentally changes how the Humanode network operates. It strengthens decentralization, enhances security, and lays the groundwork for the next phase of blockchain evolution.

So, what happens when we achieve this?

1. Humanode becomes the most decentralized blockchain

At 10,000 human nodes, Humanode will be in a class of its own.

No single entity will be able to control the network.
No central organization, whales, or mining pools will dictate the future of the chain.
Decisions will be made collectively with true egalitarian governance.

This is real decentralization, not just the illusion of it.

2. Increased network security and resistance to attacks

More validators don’t just mean more decentralization–they mean greater security.

In PoW and PoS, whales and large players can attempt 51% attacks to manipulate transactions or rewrite history.
In Humanode, since each validator represents a unique person, gaining 51% control is near to impossible. Imagine trying to coordinate with 51% of the nodes operating from different parts of the world.

With 10,000 human nodes, the Humanode network will be one of the most secure blockchains ever created – resistant to Sybil attacks, economic manipulation, and governance takeovers.

3. Transaction fees become more sustainable

More validators = more activity and vice versa on the network.

As the validator base grows, transaction volume increases.
Increased activity means higher transaction fee revenue, which gets equally distributed among active human nodes.
As Humanode scales, human nodes will be compensated through organic network activity, reducing reliance on subsidies.

This ensures that the system remains self-sustaining as adoption increases.

4. A fully decentralized governance model becomes possible

Right now, Humanode’s governance is transitioning toward full decentralization through Vortex – a governance model based on meritocracy and participation rather than wealth.

At 10,000 human nodes, the governance system will reach its full potential:

Every validator will have an equal vote in major decisions.
No single entity will be able to dominate governance.
Specialized governance chambers will ensure that experts in different areas contribute meaningfully.

This means that Humanode will be governed by its people, not by economic elites.

And this is where we prove to the world that a human-powered blockchain is not just an idea but a reality.

But none of this happens unless people step up and join as human nodes.

So why should you consider running a Humanode validator?

Why you should become a human node

Look around you. The dream of decentralization? Hijacked. The corporations, the whales, the deep finance, they’ve already taken their seats at the table. We’re the last line of defense. The last remnants of decentralization resistance that crypto was supposed to bring.

If you believe in true decentralization, fair governance, and equal participation, then becoming a human node isn’t just an opportunity – it’s a statement. It’s a way to be part of something that challenges the status quo and builds a blockchain where power doesn’t come from money but from people.

But beyond the ideological reasons, why should you run a validator?

Equal power for every node
Earn rewards for securing the network
Contribute to the most decentralized blockchain
No wealth barriers; anyone can join
Shape the future of decentralization

And the best part? Becoming a validator is easy and simple. This guide walks you through launching a node on the Humanode network and becoming a validator.

How the Humanode network works

If decentralization is the goal, then the way a blockchain is structured – who validates transactions, how governance works, and what secures the network – determines whether the goals we discussed above are achieved.

Most blockchains rely on either Proof of Work (PoW) or Proof of Stake (PoS) to validate transactions and maintain security. But as we’ve seen, these systems tend to centralize control in the hands of a few. Humanode breaks away from this pattern.

Here’s how it works:

1. One Person = One Node = One Vote

At the core of the Humanode network is a simple yet powerful principle: every validator is a real, unique human.

Human nodes don’t need to stake tokens or invest in expensive mining rigs.
Instead, each validator undergoes bio-authentication to prove they are a unique living individual.
This ensures that no one can operate multiple nodes, making the system naturally resistant to Sybil attacks.

Once verified, a validator node can be launched, giving the participant equal power in securing the network, validating transactions, and participating in governance.

2. Biometric authentication and privacy

Naturally, when people hear “biometric authentication,” concerns about privacy arise.

But Humanode’s cryptobiometric system is designed to verify uniqueness without storing or exposing personal data.

Here’s how:

Biometric data is encrypted on the user device before being sent for processing.
Information is processed inside a Verifiable Confidential Virtual Machine (CVM), ensuring that even Humanode itself can’t access or misuse the data.
The system generates an encrypted biotoken, which acts as proof of uniqueness but doesn’t contain any personally identifiable information.

The result? A fully secure and private layer that guarantees uniqueness without compromising user privacy.

No energy-intensive mining or wealth-based staking.
Equal transaction validation rights for all human nodes.

Validators are rewarded equally, ensuring fair compensation without economic barriers.

This means anyone can participate in Humanode’s consensus.

But if human nodes don’t stake tokens or mine blocks, how are they rewarded?

How human nodes are rewarded

One of the biggest questions people ask when they hear about Proof of Biometric Uniqueness (PoBU) is:

“If validators don’t stake tokens or mine blocks, how do they earn rewards?”

It’s a fair question. In most blockchains, validators are rewarded based on the capital they invest.

In Humanode, human nodes are rewarded simply for being unique active participants in securing the network.

Here’s how it works:

1. Transaction fees are shared equally among human nodes

Every time a transaction is made on the Humanode network, a small transaction fee is collected. Unlike PoS chains, where these fees go to validators based on their stake size, Humanode distributes them equally across all active validators.

If you run a validator node, you receive a share of the total transaction fees, regardless of how much wealth you hold.
This ensures that rewards are fairly distributed, without favoring those with more capital.

2. Network subsidies for human nodes

To support decentralization in its early stages, Humanode currently subsidizes validator rewards, providing a fixed monthly reward to ensure that running a node is economically sustainable.

Human nodes in the subsidized pool receive $25 per month, which helps cover server costs (typically starting from $7-$12 per month).
This ensures that anyone, regardless of financial background, can afford to participate.

See the details on reward distribution here: https://airtable.com/appfsSKumcrSZFiCn/shrMPPKawloCUWb5T/tblArdo4S4JILqg6X/viwX88pLWgArWAf1z?blocks=hide

As the Humanode ecosystem grows and more dApps integrate its Sybil-resistant tech, transaction volumes will increase, bringing in more fees.

But here’s where things get interesting:

Unlike traditional networks where validators are paid purely for securing transactions, human nodes will also share in the profits generated by the ecosystem.
Services built on Humanode – such as Biomapper, BotBasher, Oauth2, and future solutions like SRGate – will generate revenue, and this revenue will be distributed among human nodes.
This means that as adoption grows, validator earnings will increase naturally without needing to inflate token supply or dilute existing holders.

The beauty of this system is that it removes the financial barriers that exist in other blockchains.

But if every validator is rewarded equally, why do we need more human nodes? Wouldn’t fewer nodes be more efficient?

Not at all. In fact, the more human nodes we have, the stronger the network becomes.

Where does this lead?

Humanode isn’t stopping at 10,000 human nodes – this is just the beginning.

What’s next? The road to 1 million human nodes

Reaching 10,000 human nodes is just a step toward something much bigger. The real goal? Truly decentralized, permissionless blockchain. A network secured by 1 million unique humans.

This isn’t just about scaling for the sake of numbers – it’s about proving that blockchain security, governance, and decentralization can exist without economic barriers.

So, what’s next after 10,000 nodes?

1. Expanding validator participation globally

Right now, Humanode has validators from dozens of countries.

But to reach 1 million nodes, we need participation from every corner of the world.

Expanding educational initiatives to help more people understand and join the network.
Building localized support and materials to make onboarding easier.
Ensuring that validators in regions with limited access to traditional finance can participate freely.

This isn’t just a blockchain – it’s a global movement for financial equality and true decentralization.

2. Incentivizing growth through sustainable rewards

At 10,000 human nodes, the network will become self-sustaining, with transaction fees funding validator rewards.

But how do we scale to 100,000 or 1 million human nodes?

Expanding services like Biomapper, BotBasher, and Biostaking, increasing transaction volume.
Encouraging more dApps to launch on Humanode, boosting network activity and validator revenue.
Sharing profits fairly – unlike PoS chains, where staking pools take most of the rewards.

As the ecosystem grows, so will validator incentives.

3. Strengthening governance with Vortex

With thousands of human nodes, governance will need to be efficient, fair, and scalable.

Vortex governance will evolve to ensure that every validator has a say.
Specialized governance chambers will let people contribute based on their expertise.
No whales, no plutocracy – just human nodes shaping the future of the network.

4. Pushing towards 1 million nodes

The ultimate goal is to create the most decentralized blockchain ever conceived.

1 million unique human nodes securing the network.
Decentralized financial infrastructure built on human existence, not capital.
A fair and equal playing field where participation is open to anyone, anywhere.

This is the final step in proving that true decentralization isn’t just an idea – it’s a reality.

Join the movement

Humanode isn’t just a network – it’s a revolution against the capital-driven centralization of blockchain.

If you believe in a fairer, more equal, truly decentralized future, the time to join is now.

We’re on the road to 10,000 nodes, but the vision extends far beyond that.

Be part of history in the making.

Become a validator. Help prove the first human-powered blockchain.

The future is decentralized, and it should start with you being you.

Resources

How to become a human node: https://gitbook.humanode.io/mainnet-guide
How the Humanode network operates: https://blog.humanode.io/decentralization-through-biometric-uniqueness/
Current state of Humanode network: https://humanode.io
Road to Humanode 1.0: https://blog.humanode.io/the-road-to-humanode-version-1-0/