Meta Pool Pauses Philippines Ambassador Program Due to Regulations

**Node Studio Cohort 3 is now operational** with 60 validators actively processing transactions on the NEAR network as of April 1, 2026. **Key deployment details:** - 2,400,000 NEAR in direct delegation (40,000 per validator) - 4,140 NEAR in annual ecosystem contribution rewards - Total committed capital: 3,085,185 NEAR - 24/7 technical support and production-ready infrastructure The program targets operators without advanced DevOps expertise, enabling them to run production-grade validators through software-driven tools rather than infrastructure barriers. **Validator responsibilities include:** - Network security and transaction processing - Bringing new stake into the network - Creating educational content - Supporting community growth Top-performing validators can earn up to 259 NEAR quarterly in additional rewards based on measurable ecosystem impact. The 12-month program runs through April 1, 2027, with monthly performance evaluations. Node Studio now operates three cohorts in parallel, with over 170 nodes total and 13.6M NEAR staked across the NEAR network. [Read full details](https://medium.com/meta-pool/60-new-validators-now-live-on-near-4bc6eb2f1111)

Meta Pool has introduced a **referral program** designed to reward community members for bringing new users to the platform. **Key Features:** - Participants can request personalized referral links - Rewards and payment structures are detailed in the program documentation - The initiative builds on previous campaigns like "The Last Block of 2025" The program integrates with Meta Pool's Ecosystem DApp, which streamlines wallet authentication across NEAR, Aurora, and Ethereum networks. Users can stake and purchase bonds without repeatedly connecting wallets across different platforms. [View full program details](https://docs.metapool.app/master/contribute-to-meta-pool/referral-program)

**Node Studio Program 2** has officially launched on the NEAR Protocol ecosystem, focusing on expanding validator opportunities for builders. **Key highlights:** - 64 new validators onboarded to strengthen network decentralization - Program designed to grow NEAR's validator ecosystem - Cohort 3 preparations already underway The initiative aims to create more opportunities for developers and validators within the NEAR ecosystem. Registration is open for those wanting to stay updated on program developments. [Learn more about the program details](https://medium.com/meta-pool/node-studio-program-2-official-launch-7a26fe73d451)

The latest governance call for November 2025 has concluded, marking the 24th community discussion session. This follows the previous governance call held in September 2025. **Key Details:** - Monthly governance call format continues - Community participation in protocol decisions - Regular cadence maintained for stakeholder engagement The governance calls serve as a platform for community members to discuss protocol updates, proposals, and strategic decisions affecting the ecosystem. [Watch the full governance call](https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1YqxolLoNzNKv)

**Build Buddies** is hosting a Web3 community event in **Texcoco, Mexico** this Friday. The gathering aims to: - Connect builders in the Web3 space - Share ideas and collaborate - Foster community engagement This follows previous Build Buddies events across Asia, including Manila, Saigon, Jakarta, Bangkok, Hanoi, and Ahmedabad. [Event details and registration](https://luma.com/sibx7dby)