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Validator delegation using child hotkeys

This guide helps you delegate a portion of your stake to the official Masa validator using a child hotkey on Subnet 42. Delegating through child hotkeys enhances security, simplifies operations, and enables direct support of the Masa network.

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What is a Child Hotkey?

A child hotkey is a hotkey that receives a delegated portion of stake from a parent hotkey. This lets you safely stake across subnets and validators without exposing your primary hotkey to risk.

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Why Delegate to the Masa Validator?

0% Take Rate

✓ Keep 100% of your rewards
✓ Zero commission currently
✓ Take rates may adjust in future

Trusted Infrastructure

✓ Run by Masa core team
✓ Enterprise-grade reliability
✓ Professional monitoring

Simple Setup

✓ Delegate in minutes
✓ Clear documentation
✓ Easy to get started

Scalable Design

✓ Multi-subnet staking
✓ Isolated operational risk
✓ Flexible delegation

Masa is currently one of the most delegator-friendly validators on Bittensor Subnet 42 with a 0% take rate, though this rate may be adjusted in the future.

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🪪 Masa Validator Hotkey for Delegation

To delegate to the official Masa Validator on Subnet 42, use this hotkey address:

5CZv4oXgYsAFjJj8rLmmbLG29y7x9RGEc6hM9tzCwRU8NeDe

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🛠️ Step-by-Step Guide

1

Register Your Child Hotkey

Run the following command to register your child hotkey:

btcli register --wallet.name <child_wallet_name> --netuid 42
2

Delegate Stake to Masa Validator

Execute this command to delegate your stake:

btcli stake set_children \
  --netuid 42 \
  --children <your_child_hotkey_ss58> \
  --proportions 1.0 \
  --hotkey 5CZv4oXgYsAFjJj8rLmmbLG29y7x9RGEc6hM9tzCwRU8NeDe \
  --wallet.name <your_coldkey_name>

Tip: The --proportions flag should reflect the portion of stake you want to delegate (e.g., 0.5 for 50%).

By default, the child hotkey starts with a take rate of 0%, and the Masa validator does not charge any fee. You keep 100% of your rewards.

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View Your Delegation

Check that your delegation is active:

btcli stake get_children --netuid 42 --hotkey 5CZv4oXgYsAFjJj8rLmmbLG29y7x9RGEc6hM9tzCwRU8NeDe --all

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Update or Revoke Delegation

Update proportions:

btcli stake set_children \
  --netuid 42 \
  --children <your_child_hotkey> \
  --proportions <new_proportion> \
  --hotkey 5CZv4oXgYsAFjJj8rLmmbLG29y7x9RGEc6hM9tzCwRU8NeDe \
  --wallet.name <your_coldkey_name>

Revoke delegation:

btcli stake revoke_children --hotkey 5CZv4oXgYsAFjJj8rLmmbLG29y7x9RGEc6hM9tzCwRU8NeDe --netuid 42

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Optional: Set Take Rate for Your Child Hotkey

Control how much your child key keeps from rewards:

Set take rate:

btcli stake set_childkey_take --hotkey <your_child_hotkey> --netuid 42 --take 0.18

Check take rate:

btcli stake get_childkey_take --hotkey <your_child_hotkey> --netuid 42

Note: You can only update the take rate once every 30 days.

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Important Considerations

  • The total proportion across child keys must be ≤ 1.0
  • You must have registered your child hotkey on Subnet 42
  • Minimum stake may apply depending on network settings
  • Masa validator’s default take rate is 0%, so you keep 100% of your earnings