# How does Meta Pool Work?

When you [liquid stake $NEAR with Meta Pool](https://www.metapool.app/stake), your $NEAR tokens are **distributed to 80+ validator nodes**. This helps decentralize and secure NEAR Protocol and allows new nodes coming into the NEAR Protocol network to get more exposure to retail $NEAR holders.

[ ](https://www.metapool.app/stake)

<figure><img src="/files/9MyNLXUYsAsfCwMysGOY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Meta Pool smart contract not only distributes funds across many validators, but it also **automatically rebalances the allocation to each validator.**&#x20;

The rebalancing is based on several parameters such as the % of funds staked with each validator (preventing any one validator from being too concentrated), and overall performance (deterring and removing underperforming validators which can undermine the network).

We have **4 criteria for selecting validators** on the NEAR network, that are in line with our ethos of transparency and fairness:

1. Uptime > 95%
2. Fees < 10%
3. Making sure the validator doesn't reduce the Nakamoto Coefficient
4. Have enough tokens to accomplish the seat price of NEAR Protocol


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