/

Stakewise

  • What it is:StakeWise is a liquid staking marketplace and open-source protocol offering Ethereum staking services, allowing users to stake ETH for osETH liquidity in DeFi.
  • Best for:Individual ETH holders wanting to stake without 32 ETH, Users seeking DeFi integration, Professional node operators and DAOs
  • Pricing:Starting from Variable (5% commission example)
  • Rating:78/100Good
  • Expert's conclusion:StakeWise v3 is better for the high end Ethereum staker that values decentralization, customizability and de fi composability above all else.
Visit website
Reviewed byMaxim Manylov·Web3 Engineer & Serial Founder

What Is Stakewise and What Does It Do?

StakeWise is an Ethereum-based liquid staking protocol developed to enable users to stake ETH, and receive osETH tokens for providing liquidity while earning staking rewards. Dmitri Tsumak and Kirill Kutakov are the creators of StakeWise and have provided non-custodial solo and pooled staking options for both the cryptocurrency community and the DeFi community. StakeWise has emphasized the importance of decentralizing and making Ethereum staking accessible.

Active
📍Tallinn, Estonia
📅Founded 2020
🏢Private
TARGET SEGMENTS
Ethereum StakersDeFi UsersCrypto InvestorsValidators

What Are Stakewise's Key Business Metrics?

📊
$2M
Total Raised
🏢
12
Employees
📊
2021
Launch Year
📊
2
Founders

How Credible and Trustworthy Is Stakewise?

78/100
Good

Liquid staking protocol established, with multiple years of operational experience and audited smart contracts, with mature product development within the DeFi space, although there is limited publicly available information regarding TVL and user adoption.

BREAKDOWN
Product Maturity85/100
Company Stability70/100
Security & Compliance82/100
User Reviews75/100
Transparency80/100
Support Quality70/100
TRUST SIGNALS
Non-custodial staking protocolSmart contract security auditsTop 4 LST platform per MessariEthereum-native liquid staking

What is the history of Stakewise and its key milestones?

2019

Development Begins

Dmitri Tsumak builds a liquid staking platform as a hobby project, in stealth mode.

2020

Company Founded

Dmitri Tsumak and Kirill Kutakov co-create StakeWise, and quit their jobs to build using their own personal savings.

2021

Protocol Launch

StakeWise is launched as a non-custodial Ethereum staking protocol after completing security audits.

2022

Team Growth

Team size grows from 2 to 12 members; recognized as one of the top 4 LST platforms by Messari.

2023

StakeWise v3 Release

Decentralized staking model introduced, enabling anyone to operate validator nodes, positioning StakeWise as a platform for intermediaries.

What Are the Key Features of Stakewise?

✨
Liquid Staking with osETH
Stake ETH and receive osETH tokens, which will be used to create liquidity and accrue staking rewards in DeFi.
✨
Non-Custodial Staking
Users retain complete control over their funds utilizing the decentralized protocol without requiring the need for third-party custody.
✨
Solo and Pooled Staking
Options exist for users to either operate their own validators individually, or pool funds together to satisfy Ethereum's 32 ETH staking requirement.
✨
Decentralized Node Operators (v3)
Permissionless model, allowing anyone to operate validators and offer staking services.
🔗
DeFi Integrations
osETH is compatible with the majority of DeFi protocols for lending, trading, and maximizing yields.
✨
Reward Auto-Compounding
Staking rewards are automatically reflected in the growing value of the user's osETH token(s), eliminating the need for the user to manually claim their rewards.

What Technology Stack and Infrastructure Does Stakewise Use?

Infrastructure

Ethereum mainnet and decentralized node operators

Technologies

SolidityEthereumVyper

Integrations

UniswapDeFi ProtocolsEthereum Beacon Chain

AI/ML Capabilities

N/A - Pure blockchain smart contract protocol

Inferred from Ethereum liquid staking standards and official descriptions

What Are the Best Use Cases for Stakewise?

Ethereum Holders
Earn staking rewards, while retaining full liquidity through tradeable osETH tokens in the DeFi ecosystem.
DeFi Yield Farmers
Utilize staked ETH as collateral for lending, borrowing, and creating leveraged yield strategies without having to unstake.
Node Operators
Earn protocol fees by operating your own decentralized validators in the permissionless staking marketplace (v3).
Small ETH Holders (<32 ETH)
Participate in a staking pool that will allow you to earn rewards as a percentage of total reward, rather than individually running a validator
NOT FORHigh-Frequency Traders
Not for this purpose - Staking rewards are typically earned over time in terms of Validator Epochs
NOT FORCustodial Institutions
The non-custodial nature of the platform may be an issue when compared to strict Institutional Custody & Compliance Standards

How Much Does Stakewise Cost and What Plans Are Available?

Pricing information with service tiers, costs, and details
☐Service$CostℹDetails🔗Source
One-Click StakingVariable (5% commission example)Instant staking in seconds, protection from all slashing, no technical knowledge required, automated reward tracking—
Vault Staking0-100% (variable by vault)Choose your node operators, custom staking strategies, lower fees than one-click, protection from other vaults' slashing. Example: 5% commission with 3.37% APY—
Solo StakingNo platform feeRun your own validators, highest yields possible, complete control over setup, requires 32 ETH minimum and technical expertise—
One-Click StakingVariable (5% commission example)
Instant staking in seconds, protection from all slashing, no technical knowledge required, automated reward tracking
Vault Staking0-100% (variable by vault)
Choose your node operators, custom staking strategies, lower fees than one-click, protection from other vaults' slashing. Example: 5% commission with 3.37% APY
Solo StakingNo platform fee
Run your own validators, highest yields possible, complete control over setup, requires 32 ETH minimum and technical expertise

How Does Stakewise Compare to Competitors?

FeatureStakeWiseLidoRocket Pool
Liquid Staking TokenosETHstETHrETH
Minimum Stake AmountAny amount (one-click), 32 ETH (solo)Any amount0.01 ETH (pooled), 16 ETH (node)
Vault/CustomizationYes - multiple vault typesNoLimited
MEV SharingYes - Smoothing Pool optionYesYes
Solo Staking SupportYesYesYes
Multi-chain SupportEthereum, Gnosis ChainEthereum onlyEthereum only
Slashing ProtectionYes (osETH design)YesYes
DeFi IntegrationFull ERC-20 compatibilityFull ERC-20 compatibilityFull ERC-20 compatibility
Liquid Staking Token
StakeWiseosETH
LidostETH
Rocket PoolrETH
Minimum Stake Amount
StakeWiseAny amount (one-click), 32 ETH (solo)
LidoAny amount
Rocket Pool0.01 ETH (pooled), 16 ETH (node)
Vault/Customization
StakeWiseYes - multiple vault types
LidoNo
Rocket PoolLimited
MEV Sharing
StakeWiseYes - Smoothing Pool option
LidoYes
Rocket PoolYes
Solo Staking Support
StakeWiseYes
LidoYes
Rocket PoolYes
Multi-chain Support
StakeWiseEthereum, Gnosis Chain
LidoEthereum only
Rocket PoolEthereum only
Slashing Protection
StakeWiseYes (osETH design)
LidoYes
Rocket PoolYes
DeFi Integration
StakeWiseFull ERC-20 compatibility
LidoFull ERC-20 compatibility
Rocket PoolFull ERC-20 compatibility

How Does Stakewise Compare to Competitors?

vs Lido

Both are leading players in liquid staking. Lido has a larger market share and TVL (~ $30B vs StakeWise's much smaller base). StakeWise v3 is more customizable because it includes Vaults and multi-chain support (Gnosis) whereas Lido is simpler and only supports Ethereum. StakeWise is intended for users who desire more control over their staking strategy.

Use Lido if you prefer maximum liquidity and ease of use; use StakeWise if you prefer to customize your vault strategies and have access to multiple chains.

vs Rocket Pool

Rocket Pool has a focus on decentralized node operation and protocol governance, whereas StakeWise has the same degree of decentralization, however offers a wider array of different vault types and is easier to enter into for casual stakers (any amount can be staked, whereas node operators require at least 16 ETH to operate). Rocket Pool has a stronger node operator community; StakeWise appeals to a broader audience of casual stakers.

Use Rocket Pool if you prefer community driven decentralization; use StakeWise if you prefer flexible and easy to use staking options.

vs Solo Staking (Direct)

StakeWise competes with solo staking by providing the liquid staking benefits of osETH while reducing the technical barriers associated with staking. Solo staking requires 32 ETH and a significant technical setup; StakeWise provides access to liquid staking with no need to set up validators. Trade-offs include; solo staking has the highest returns possible; StakeWise has increased liquidity and lower complexity.

If you desire liquidity and reduced complexity, then use StakeWise. However, if you desire to maximize your returns and have enough knowledge, skills and time to devote to running a validator, then use solo staking.

What are the strengths and limitations of Stakewise?

Pros

  • Flexible staking options -- choose between one click staking, vault customization or solo staking depending on your needs and skill level
  • Use liquid staking with osETH -- maintain liquidity and utilize tokens in DeFi while still having ETH staked and generating rewards
  • Since a very small amount of ETH can be used to initiate the one-click staking process, the barrier to entry is low, and even individuals with limited amounts of ETH can participate.
  • Additionally, since users are not required to manually update their validator selections, the technical barriers to entry are reduced.
  • The risk of having your validator slashed is mitigated by the fact that the osETH design and vault architecture include slashing protection.
  • By distributing the MEV reward among the participants of the smoothing pool, additional gains are available to users who participate in the smoothing pool.
  • Multiple vault types are available to users who participate in the staking process, and each type has its own unique characteristics and benefits.
  • Smoothing pools and validator selection are both supported across multiple chains, allowing users to participate in staking processes on either the Ethereum chain or the Gnosis Chain.

Cons

  • The StakeWise platform supports the creation and operation of vaults by anyone who wishes to do so, promoting decentralization throughout the entire network.
  • Compared to simpler staking platforms such as Lido, StakeWise offers more options and complexities for users, potentially overwhelming new users.
  • Depending on the vault that is chosen, commissions ranging from 0-100% may be charged on the rewards that are earned by users.
  • Due to the random nature of the block creation rewards that are included in the osEscrow vaults, the APY values associated with those vaults tend to be more volatile.
  • Compared to the battle-tested V3 architecture of Lido or other incumbent staking platforms, the StakeWise V3 architecture is relatively new and has had less testing at scale.
  • Compared to the larger, more liquid secondary markets for stETH, the secondary markets for osETH may have lower liquidity, potentially creating challenges for users looking to exit the staking process.
  • The decentralized model for vaults means that the quality and reliability of vaults vary depending on the individual who is operating the vault.
  • At the time of writing, there were few, if any, registered financial institutions or regulated entities that utilize StakeWise to provide staking services to their customers.

Who Is Stakewise Best For?

Best For

  • Individual ETH holders wanting to stake without 32 ETH — One-click staking provides a flexible staking experience that allows users to participate in staking with minimal friction and still maintain flexibility in the event of changing liquidity needs.
  • Users seeking DeFi integration — Because of their compatibility with decentralized finance (DeFi), ETH-based ERC-20 tokens like osETH can be used for both yield farming and additional income opportunities that go above the rewards offered by basic staking.
  • Professional node operators and DAOs — The option to customize Vaults means operators can determine their own rates, decide how they want to distribute MEV, and develop their own staking programs for their community.
  • Users wanting liquidity while staking — Designing osETH as a liquid staking token gives users flexibility with respect to their capital; i.e., users are able to trade or use their osETH in other protocols while still earning staking rewards.
  • Multi-chain stakers — The ability to support both the Ethereum and Gnosis Chains allows users to diversify their staking risks across multiple networks from a single platform.

Not Suitable For

  • Users seeking absolute maximum yields — Typically, solo staking will produce a greater reward per ETH than pooled/Vault staking because there are no fees taken out of commission. If you have 32 ETH and the know-how, you may wish to run your own validator and forego some of the benefits of a pooled system.
  • Beginners wanting simplicity and single option — While the numerous types of Vaults available and the opportunity to customize each Vault can make choosing which type of Vault to open confusing, if simplicity is what you're looking for, you should consider Lido for its one size fits all approach to liquid staking.
  • Institutions requiring maximum decentralization guarantees — Since Vault quality is a function of an operator's individual reputation, if you are seeking institutional grade service you may wish to either opt for Lido's larger validator ecosystem or utilize a dedicated institutional staking service.
  • Users needing maximum osToken liquidity — In terms of having a greater number of participants on the secondary markets, stETH (Lido) has significantly more liquidity than osETH. As such, if liquid token trading is a key component of your overall strategy, you may want to consider utilizing Lido.

Are There Usage Limits or Geographic Restrictions for Stakewise?

Minimum Stake (One-Click Staking)
Any amount accepted
Minimum Stake (Solo Staking)
32 ETH required to run your own validator
Vault Deposit Limits
Configurable per vault - each vault can set its own maximum total deposit limit
Vault Commission Range
0% to 100% (set individually by each vault operator)
Multi-Chain Support
Ethereum and Gnosis Chain. Other EVM-compatible chains not currently supported.
Slashing Risk
osETH design mitigates slashing risk, but validator slashing on Ethereum remains possible in edge cases
Reward Distribution Frequency
Depends on vault type - Smoothing Pool distributes daily, Own Escrow distributes per validator
Token Standards
osETH is ERC-20 compatible, enabling use across standard Ethereum wallets and DeFi protocols

Is Stakewise Secure and Compliant?

Slashing Protection ArchitectureosETH tokens are overcollateralized and designed with slashing-resistant mechanisms. Vault isolation provides additional protection - slashing of one vault does not affect others.
Non-Custodial DesignVaults are non-custodial smart contracts, meaning users retain ownership of their ETH and earned rewards. Protocol does not hold user funds.
Decentralized Validator ManagementValidators operate across decentralized node operator network. Validator lifecycle management includes registration approval through Keeper system.
Smart Contract SecurityV3 protocol uses modular smart contracts for Vaults, MEV management, and reward distribution. Code is open-source and available on GitHub (stakewise/v3-core).
Multi-Signature ControlsAdmin functions for parameter updates are governance-controlled, reducing risk of unilateral protocol changes.
ERC-20 Token StandardosETH tokens follow standard ERC-20 implementation, compatible with standard Ethereum security audits and wallet security practices.
MEV TransparencyTwo MEV collection options (OwnMevEscrow and SharedMevEscrow) provide transparency in how maximum extractable value is captured and distributed.
Ethereum Network SecuritySecurity inherits from underlying Ethereum Proof-of-Stake consensus. StakeWise validators participate in Ethereum's validator set following standard ETH2 security protocols.

What Customer Support Options Does Stakewise Offer?

Channels
Community support availableSelf-service docs at docs.stakewise.io
Hours
Community support 24/7, no guaranteed response times
Response Time
Community-dependent; no SLA available
Specialized
Operator support via documentation and Discord
Support Limitations
•No dedicated customer support channels found
•Relies primarily on community and self-service documentation
•No live chat, email, or phone support advertised

What APIs and Integrations Does Stakewise Support?

API Type
Smart contract interactions via Ethereum RPC; no dedicated REST/GraphQL API
Authentication
Wallet-based (MetaMask, etc.) via Ethereum signatures
Webhooks
Not available; event monitoring via blockchain indexers
SDKs
Ethers.js, Web3.js, Viem; standard Ethereum tooling
Documentation
Protocol contracts documented at docs.stakewise.io; GitHub repos for v3-core
Sandbox
Ethereum testnets (Sepolia, Holesky); deploy test vaults
SLA
Decentralized protocol - no centralized SLA; uptime tied to Ethereum network
Rate Limits
Ethereum network gas limits apply
Use Cases
Programmatic ETH staking, osETH minting/redeeming, vault creation/monitoring

What Are Common Questions About Stakewise?

Users deposit ETH into Vaults created on StakeWise V3, and receive a liquid staking token called osETH. This token represents a claim to the staked ETH, earns interest in the form of staking rewards, and can be traded on DeFi platforms. Rewards earned through staking compound automatically in the value of the token.

Unlike Lido's centralized node operation, StakeWise offers decentralized Vaults with a variety of customizable commission rates (0%-100%), and allows users to select the Vault best suited to their level of risk tolerance and desired level of reward.

StakeWise V3 utilizes non-custodial Vaults, and the osETH design contains features intended to prevent slashing. Although the ETH itself remains in the possession of the user, it is held by the user in isolated pools controlled by the operator of the Vault. The security of the ETH therefore relies entirely upon the node infrastructure and configuration of the selected Vault.

Vaults are separate staking pools that may have custom features such as commission fees, private/public accessibility, vault size limits and distribution of rewards (Smoothing Pool vs Own Escrow). Explore available options in the Vault Marketplace.

Yes, osETH is an ERC-20 token that is compatible with many popular DeFi platforms for lending, trading and yield farming. Each osETH represents staked ETH that has been collateralized above the required amount for staking, along with all the rewards earned by the staked ETH.

osETH tokens can be exchanged or redeemed for ETH using approved protocols. Staking typically takes several days to weeks to unstake since it must follow the timeframes established for exiting a position as a Ethereum validator. Refer to the specific terms of your Vault.

Primarily offers staking of Ethereum using osETH, and also provides staking of Gnosis Chain using GnoVaults. As an EVM-based platform, it is possible to add additional blockchains in the future.

There is no minimum to stake in a public Vault. However, when using a private Vault (also known as a personal Vault) there is a minimum of 32 ETH to stake, similar to staking ETH directly on the Ethereum network. When selecting a Vault you should consider whether the maximum amount you would like to stake is allowed by the Vault.

Is Stakewise Worth It?

StakeWise V3 is a more advanced version of liquid staking, providing a unique Vault Marketplace where customers can select from various operators offering different risk/reward profiles, and/or customize their staking terms to fit their needs. StakeWise balances decentralization, liquidity via osETH, and MEV capture, while ensuring the same level of security as other Ethereum staking solutions. StakeWise is best suited for advanced DeFi users who want alternatives to centralized liquid staking providers.

Recommended For

  • Advanced DeFi users that prefer to choose their own operators and select their own customized staking terms.
  • Institutional investors/DAOs that need regulated and compliant liquid staking options.
  • Individual stakers that want to provide liquidity to their 32 ETH staked on the Ethereum network.
  • Yield farmers looking to optimize their MEV earnings using smoothing pools.

!
Use With Caution

  • New retail DeFi users - This will require some research into which Vaults offer the most suitable staking terms and proper wallet management.
  • Simple, non-complex stakers that prefer a set it and forget it style staking experience and do not want to research their staking terms - More complex than Lido.
  • Risk-averse stakers that do not feel comfortable selecting their own operators.

Not Recommended For

  • Users that prefer to use a set it and forget it style of staking without researching the parameters of each Vault they are considering.
  • Non-ethereium stakers - mainly focusing on ETH
  • users that are capital constrained and would have to pay at least some type of commission just to get out of their stake
  • users that require immediate unstaking - will be subjected to ethereum exit queue.
Expert's Conclusion

StakeWise v3 is better for the high end Ethereum staker that values decentralization, customizability and de fi composability above all else.

Best For
Advanced DeFi users that prefer to choose their own operators and select their own customized staking terms.Institutional investors/DAOs that need regulated and compliant liquid staking options.Individual stakers that want to provide liquidity to their 32 ETH staked on the Ethereum network.

What do expert reviews and research say about Stakewise?

Key Findings

StakeWise V3 is able to deliver decentralized liquid staking with vaults that can be customized, osEth tokens and competing operators in the Vault Marketplace. The protocol places an emphasis on security using non-custodial pools and slashing protection along with MEV capture. The technical architecture is strong for Ethereum/Gnosis, has a transparent github presence, and provides a robust documentation set.

Data Quality

Good - detailed protocol information from official docs, GitHub, and ecosystem analyses. Limited customer support and review data available due to DeFi nature. No centralized pricing model.

Risk Factors

!
Smart contract risk associated with decentralized finance protocols
!
Validator or Operator Performance dependent
!
Ethereum Network Congestion Issues
!
Emerging protocol (still developing its architecture).
Last updated: February 2026

What Are the Best Alternatives to Stakewise?

  • •
    Lido: Leading liquid staking protocol for stEth ($>30B TVL), operates nodes in a more centralized manner; however, offers higher liquidity and de fi adoption. Ideal for maximum simplicity and composability, simpler than StakeWise's vault selection process. (lido.fi)
  • •
    Rocket Pool: Decentralized staking with rETH liquid token and marketplace for node operators, similar decentralized ethos, however different economic models (node operator commissions versus StakeWise vault fees); ideal for rETH de-fi preference. (rocketpool.net)
  • •
    Etherfi: Liquid staking with eEth and loyalty point system for airdrops; growing rapidly and has large de fi integrations with diversified operator pools. Loyalty-based incentives are greater than StakeWise's purely yield based model. (ether.fi)
  • •
    Swell: Liquid staking with swEth and restaking options; focuses on yield optimizations across Eigen Layer etc.; higher complexity but may offer additional yield compared to StakeWise's purely ethereuem staking. (swellnetwork.io)
  • •
    Puffer Finance: Liquid staking with pufEth and restaking; emerging protocol with new and innovative fee structures. Riskier than StakeWise due to being a new protocol. (puffer.fi)

What Additional Information Is Available for Stakewise?

Vault Marketplace

A central place where you can search through Staking Vaults based on commission rates, the volatility of the APY (Smoothing Pool vs Own Escrow), available capacity and the reputation of the operator of that Vault. This is a way for different operators to compete for your favor as a delegator.

Operator Service

The StakeWise Operator Service gives node operators the opportunity to operate their own preferred execution/consensus client, MEV relay and distributed validator technology in addition to the integration into the protocol. Suitable for both professional and institutional operators.

Protocol Architecture

The modular architecture of the smart contracts uses EthVault/GnoVault variations, MEV escrows, keepers for updating rewards and governance mechanisms. All of the source code for v3-core on GitHub at stakewise/v3-core with multi-chain EVM support.

ecosystem Integrations

osETH achieves high levels of composability within DeFi for lending, trading and yield generation. Institutional participation is made easier through partnerships with companies such as Blockdaemon. On chain portfolio tracking of StakeWise positions are provided through Nansen.

What Are Stakewise's Staking Yield?

Variable (Ethereum consensus rewards)
APY
Ongoing (tokenized rewards)
Reward Frequency
3-5% (Ethereum staking avg)
Historical APY Range

What Are Stakewise's Staking Tvl?

$1BN+
TVL
100,000+
Total Stakers
ETH (Vault-based)
Staked Assets
Ongoing
Rewards Paid

What Is Stakewise's Staking Fees?

Staking Fee
Industry-low fees (transparent)
Withdrawal Fee
None (instant unstaking)
Performance Fee
Vault-dependent
Minimum Stake
No minimum

What Is Stakewise's Staking Lst Info?

Token Symbol
osETH (osToken)
Rebasing
Non-rebasing (transferable)
Defi Integrations
DeFi composable (lending, trading)
Exchange Listings
DEX/CEX within ecosystem

What Are Stakewise's Staking Decentralization?

Multiple Vault operators
Node Operators
Solo + Pooled Vaults
Validator Model
Marketplace-based
Vault Count
Institutional-grade infrastructure
Client Diversity

What Is Stakewise's Staking Security Status?

Smart Contract AuditsProtocol audited (V3 deployment)
Institutional InfrastructureSecure and stable operations
Non-CustodialUsers retain control
Slashing ProtectionVault-based risk distribution

What Staking Supported Networks Does Stakewise Support?

Ethereum

Ethereum Beacon Chain liquid staking protocol

Expert Reviews

📝

No reviews yet

Be the first to review Stakewise!

Write a Review

Similar Products

Lido
lido.fi
Coinbase Staking
coinbase.com
Figment
figment.io