# Becoming an Operator

### Pre-DAO <a href="#expressing-interest-to-the-dao-holders" id="expressing-interest-to-the-dao-holders"></a>

To bootstrap the protocol during the initial stages, STAKE has partnered with a an established third party validator operator. From then on, before the DAO is implemented, node operators will be chosen by STAKE.

### Post-DAO: Expressing interest to the DAO holders <a href="#expressing-interest-to-the-dao-holders" id="expressing-interest-to-the-dao-holders"></a>

To include a Node Operator to the protocol, DAO holders must perform a voting. A Node Operator is defined by an address that is used for two purposes:

1. The protocol pays the fee by minting stHYPE tokens to this address.
2. The Node Operator uses this address for submitting signing keys to be used by the protocol.

Pass this address to the DAO holders along with the other relevant information.
