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HashKey Cloud is now running a validator node on Canton Network. The Hong Kong-based Web3 infrastructure arm of HashKey Group announced the move on February 4, 2026, with Canton Foundation welcoming them aboard the same day. This puts one of Asia's biggest digital asset players directly into the network's security layer.
The timing isn't random. Both teams will co-host "Canton After Hours" at Consensus Hong Kong on February 12, signaling a broader partnership in the works.
What Does HashKey Cloud Actually Do on Canton?
HashKey Cloud operates as a regular validator, not a super validator. That distinction matters.
Regular validators on Canton handle local state validation. They only participate in transactions they're directly involved in, which keeps things private and scalable. Think of it as running a secure slice of the network rather than overseeing everything.
Super validators are different. That smaller group of around 35 super validators manages global finality through Byzantine Fault Tolerant consensus. They coordinate atomic settlements across the entire network. Names like Digital Asset, Chainlink, Circle, and Tradeweb sit in that tier.
HashKey Cloud joins the 800+ validators already running on Canton. Their role focuses on bolstering network security without the full governance load that comes with super validator status.
Why HashKey Cloud?
HashKey Cloud isn't new to blockchain infrastructure. The subsidiary has operated since 2018 and currently supports staking services across more than 80 public chains. They bring enterprise-grade experience to a network built specifically for institutions.
HashKey Group as a whole holds digital asset licenses in Hong Kong, making them one of the more regulated players in Asia. That regulatory standing aligns with Canton's focus on compliant, institutional-grade infrastructure for tokenized real-world assets.
The announcement also mentioned that HashKey Exchange will support Canton's ecosystem development. No specific details yet on what that looks like, but the language suggests more integrations are coming.
How Do You Become a Canton Validator?
Regular validator approval on Canton doesn't require a formal governance vote. The process runs through the Canton Foundation's application system.
Applicants must be sponsored by an existing network participant during the current invite-only phase of the Global Synchronizer mainnet. That sponsor could be a super validator or an established app provider. Reviews take about two weeks and focus on technical standards: uptime, security practices, and multi-tenancy support.
Super validators go through a different path. Adding one requires a Canton Improvement Proposal that super validators vote on. For example, CIP-0087 brought Hex Trust into the super validator set back in November 2025.
If HashKey Cloud ever upgrades to super validator status, they'd need to go through that CIP process. For now, a regular validator status lets them contribute to network security while focusing on their core staking expertise.
What's Happening With Canton's Validator Growth?
Canton has been stacking institutional names into its validator set throughout 2025 and into 2026. The total number of validators has grown from 295 in mid-2025 to over 800 by early February 2026. The super validator count sits at around 35, with recent additions bringing more institutional firepower.
Recent super validator additions read like a who's who of institutional crypto infrastructure. Fireblocks joined on February 3 for regulated on-chain settlements. Nasdaq came in during January via CIP-0097 with a weight of 10. Circle integrated for USDC stablecoin settlements. Hypernative Labs completed their CIP-0076 integration in early February, adding real-time threat detection across the network.
Coinbase and Gemini have both applied for multiple super validator positions as of January 2026, though full approval was still pending at the time of the HashKey announcement.
The pattern is clear: custody providers, major exchanges, and compliance-focused firms are all building positions on Canton. The network's privacy-enabled interoperability for tokenized assets continues to attract institutional players seeking both compliance and performance.
HashKey Cloud's addition specifically strengthens Canton's Asia-Pacific presence. Hong Kong is positioning itself as a crypto hub, and HashKey holds proper licenses there. This validator node creates a direct bridge between Canton's infrastructure and one of the region's most active institutional markets.
Sources:
- HashKey Group X announcement - Original announcement of HashKey Cloud validator node and Canton collaboration
- Canton Foundation X post - Official welcome of HashKey Cloud as network validator
- Canton Network Ecosystem - HashKey Cloud validator listing and service provider details
- Canton Foundation Super Validators - Official list of super validator entities
- Cantonscan Validators - Live validator statistics for Canton Network