# reaserch questions - blockchain course, focusing on how decentralized Arbitrum really is in practice **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [October 14, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.arbitrum.foundation/t/reaserch-questions-blockchain-course-focusing-on-how-decentralized-arbitrum-really-is-in-practice/31590 "2026-10-14T17:21:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ShayMalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@ShayMalka](https://forum.arbitrum.foundation/u/ShayMalka)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.arbitrum.foundation/t/reaserch-questions-blockchain-course-focusing-on-how-decentralized-arbitrum-really-is-in-practice/31590/1 "2026-10-14T17:21:40Z")
Hi everyone, My name is Shay, and I’m currently working on my final project for a blockchain course, focusing on how decentralized Arbitrum really is in practice. I’ve been reading about BoLD and found it fascinating that validation on Arbitrum One is now permissionless, with the Arbitrum Foundation stepping in as the first active proposer. 1. There’s one thing I couldn’t find a clear answer to, and I’d really appreciate hearing from people who are closer to it: are there actually independent parties running BoLD validators today? And if someone outside the Foundation wanted to take on the proposer role, what would that realistically involve? 2. Also, as part of my research on Arbitrum’s decentralization, I came across the Security Council’s emergency action following the KelpDAO exploit earlier this year, and it’s been on my mind ever since. On one hand, it seems like exactly the kind of situation the Council was designed for. On the other hand, I keep wondering whether it sets a precedent that quietly shifts the balance away from decentralization. I’d really love to hear how people here see it. Was it a necessary safety net, or a step that deserves more scrutiny? And are there any ongoing DAO discussions about setting clearer boundaries on when and how the Council can step in? I’d be grateful for any thoughts, forum threads, or proposals you could point me to. Any insight, links, or even personal experience would help me a lot. Thanks so much in advance!