- There are no “validators” in Lightning (not like PoS chai…

- There are no “validators” in Lightning (not like PoS chains). The relevant actors are:
- Channel peers: two parties with a 2-of-2 funding transaction.
- Routing nodes (intermediaries): optional, only used when you don’t have a direct channel. They forward HTLCs and charge routing/liquidity fees, but they cannot steal funds if the protocol is followed.
- Watchtowers: optional services that can broadcast penalty/justice transactions if your counterparty cheats while you’re offline. Some may charge; many users self-monitor or use wallet-integrated towers.