What is the minimal stake concept in Avalanche security?

• A. There is no minimum stake for validators.
• B. All participants must stake the same amount.
• C. The minimum stake is the threshold required to become a validator; delegators can stake smaller amounts by delegating to a validator.
• D. Only validators can stake; delegators cannot.

Answer: (C)

There is a minimum stake that must be locked up to become a validator, and non-validators can participate by delegating their stake to a validator. This creates an economic barrier that ensures validators have enough stake to be economically committed to the network, while still allowing smaller holders to participate through delegation.

This is why it’s the best answer: it captures the two parts of the concept—the threshold to qualify as a validator and the delegation pathway that lets others contribute without meeting the minimum themselves. It also reflects how security relies on substantial stake for validators, with delegators able to support the network by pointing their stake to trusted validators.

The other ideas don’t fit because there is indeed a minimum, not no minimum; not everyone must stake the same amount, and delegators can participate by delegating, not only validators staking themselves.