diff --git a/scripts/create-validator.sh b/scripts/create-validator.sh
index f714877..24d0f18 100755
--- a/scripts/create-validator.sh
+++ b/scripts/create-validator.sh
@@ -3,9 +3,20 @@ set -e
 
 DENOM=alnt
 
+NODE_HOME=/root/.laconicd
+
+staking_amount_file="$NODE_HOME/tmp/staking-amount.json"
+if [ ! -f "$staking_amount_file" ]; then
+  echo "staking-amount.json file not provided, exiting..."
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+# Set staking amount
+stake_amount=$(jq -r '.amount' "$staking_amount_file")
+
 # Create validator with fixed parameters
 laconicd tx staking create-validator \
-  --amount 900000000$DENOM \
+  --amount $stake_amount$DENOM \
   --pubkey $(laconicd tendermint show-validator) \
   --moniker "$CERC_MONIKER" \
   --chain-id "$CERC_CHAIN_ID" \