Validators in the Solana network play a crucial role in securing the network and validating transactions. They are responsible for processing transactions, creating new blocks, and reaching a consensus on the state of the network. Validators contribute to the decentralization and security of the Solana blockchain by participating in the Proof-of-History consensus mechanism, ensuring the integrity and reliability of the network. Additionally, validators help maintain the overall performance and scalability of the Solana network by efficiently confirming transactions and maintaining network stability.