Meta Pool DAO Strengthens NEAR Decentralization with 64 New Validators and Launches "The Last Block of 2025" Campaign

The initiative includes a transparent leaderboard and strict anti-abuse policies to ensure rewards go to genuine community builders

Meta Pool DAO, the leading liquid staking solution on NEAR Protocol, closes the year with two major announcements that reinforce its commitment to decentralization and community growth. Following a successful Twitter Space detailing the results of the Node Studio Program Cohort 2, the protocol has officially unveiled its end-of-year campaign: "The Last Block of 2025."

Node Studio Cohort 2: A Milestone for Decentralization

During a recent community Space hosted by Brian, Meta Pool’s Program Lead Alan revealed the final metrics for the Node Studio Program Cohort 2. The initiative successfully onboarded 64 new validators, bringing the total number of active validators on the NEAR network to an all-time high of approximately 370.

"Our goal is to reach 500 validators on the NEAR Protocol network," Alan stated during the broadcast. "With 64 new organizations onboarded—representing 20% of the network’s current validator set—we are proving that running a node is becoming one of the most accessible and impactful ways to join the ecosystem."

The session highlighted the diversity of the new cohort, which includes startups, educational communities, DAO chapters, and women-led organizations from regions spanning Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Unlike previous iterations, this cohort focused on onboarding structured organizations capable of long-term sustainability. While participants receive an initial delegation support of 40,000 NEAR, the program emphasizes the transition to a self-sustaining business model where validators actively seek their own delegation.

Community members Francisco and Marcela Brown also joined the stage, sharing their firsthand experiences as part of this new wave of node runners, validating the program’s ability to lower technical barriers through the Node Studio platform.

"The Last Block of 2025": Stake to Celebrate

Celebrating a year defined by building rather than hype, Meta Pool is launching its "The Last Block of 2025" campaign. This referral-based challenge invites the community to place the final block of the year together, rewarding those who help grow the network.

Campaign Details:

• Duration: December 15, 2025 – February 24, 2026.

• Prize Pool: $2,500 USD in stNEAR distributed among the top participants.

Recognizing that 2025 was a year where validators kept operating and builders kept shipping despite market conditions, this campaign rewards tangible growth. Participants earn points through a tiered system:

• New Wallets: +5 points for referring a new wallet that stakes at least 10 NEAR.

• Multichain Bonus: +2 points for staking on other supported chains (ETH, SOL, ICP, etc.).

• Referrer Bonus: +1 point per network used by a referral (up to 5 points).

The initiative includes a transparent leaderboard and strict anti-abuse policies to ensure rewards go to genuine community builders. The top performer will earn the title of "Lead Architect" and a $300 prize, with rewards cascading down to the top 15 participants.

"As we approach the end of 2025, we want to close the year the way we spent it: building," the Meta Pool team announced. "This is about staking, referring, and laying the foundation for a stronger 2026."

For full details on the Node Studio metrics and to join the referral campaign, the community is invited to follow Meta Pool’s official channels on X and Discord.