Which statement accurately describes permissioned vs open validator sets in subnets?

• A. Open sets require vetted participants.
• B. Permissioned sets are fully open with no vetting.
• C. Permissioned requires vetted participants; open allows broader participation subject to governance and security policies.
• D. Both are governed identically with no differences.

Answer: (C)

Access control for validators is the key idea here: who is allowed to validate a subnet and under what conditions. In a permissioned subnet, validation is restricted to participants who have been vetted and approved, with onboarding and compliance checks determining who can join. This provides stronger control, regulatory alignment, and security promises for the network.

In contrast, an open subnet allows broader participation from validators, with admission not limited to a closed list. Participation is governed by overarching policies and security rules, but the gatekeeping is much looser to enable decentralization and wider involvement. Those governance and security policies still guide behavior and eligibility, but they don’t require the same pre-approval as a permissioned setup.

So the best description is that permissioned requires vetted participants, while open allows broader participation subject to governance and security policies.