Rocket Pool vs Sanctum: Ethereum vs Solana Liquid Staking
Rocket Pool and Sanctum serve entirely different blockchain ecosystems. Rocket Pool is an Ethereum liquid staking protocol launched on mainnet in November 2021. It allows individuals to stake as little as 0.01 ETH for rETH or run independent validator nodes using a 4 ETH bond. In contrast, Sanctum is a Solana staking liquidity layer. It powers over 1,300 custom liquid staking tokens, including jupSOL and bbSOL, uniting them through its multi-token Infinity pool and routing engine.
The two platforms diverge in asset support, yield levels, and fee mechanics. Rocket Pool provides ETH stakers with yields between 2.0% and 2.2%, deducting a 14% protocol fee while relying on more than 1,400 permissionless node operators. Sanctum handles SOL deposits with yields around 5.65% to 5.69%. Its architecture applies a 0.1% protocol fee alongside specific router fees and uses an 11-member multisig upgrade authority.
Quick verdict
The choice between these two platforms comes down to which base network you hold capital on and how you prefer validator sets to be organized. Rocket Pool focuses entirely on decentralized Ethereum infrastructure, pairing liquid deposits with independent node operators. Sanctum functions as a shared liquidity and routing layer tailored specifically to Solana validator tokens.
Choose Rocket Pool if you hold ETH, want to stake without minimums above 0.01 ETH, or plan to run an Ethereum validator node with a reduced 4 ETH capital requirement.
Choose Sanctum if you hold SOL, want access to a diversified basket of liquid staking tokens through INF, or require instant swaps across validator-specific tokens without unbonding delays.
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Our score | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Yield | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Security | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Liquidity | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Decentralization | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Specs | ||
| KYC required | No | Not disclosed |
| Type | Liquid staking | Liquid staking |
| Stakeable assets | ETH | SOL |
| Receipt token | rETH | INF and validator LSTs |
| Protocol fee | 14% | 0.1% |
| Minimum stake | 0.01 ETH | Not disclosed |
| Withdrawal time | Instant via deposit pool buffer | Not disclosed |
| Chains | Ethereum | Solana |
| Node operators | Permissionless | Permissionless validator set with custom white-label pools |
| Audited | Yes | Yes |
| Restaking | No | Not disclosed |
| Slashing cover | Yes | Not disclosed |
| Typical reward rate | 2.0-2.2% | 5.65%-5.69% |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2016 | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Investors | Coinbase Ventures, Consensys, 1kx | Not disclosed |
| Strengths and weaknesses | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Best for | Decentralization-focused Ethereum stakers, Home node operators with under 32 ETH, DeFi users needing yield-bearing collateral | Solana holders seeking diversified yield, Validators launching branded LSTs, DeFi traders swapping liquid tokens |
Highlighted cells show the stronger value in each row. Data comes from each provider's site and public sources; check details before you sign up.
FAQ
Can I stake ETH on Sanctum?
No, Sanctum supports only the Solana blockchain and SOL-denominated liquid staking tokens. For Ethereum deposits, you must use a network-specific protocol such as Rocket Pool.
Which protocol takes a higher fee?
Rocket Pool takes a higher protocol fee at 14% of earned staking rewards. Sanctum charges a 0.1% protocol fee, alongside a 10 basis point deposit fee and a 1 basis point withdrawal fee on router conversions.
How do Rocket Pool and Sanctum handle node validation?
Rocket Pool pairs depositor ETH with permissionless node operators who post a 4 ETH bond. Sanctum functions as a shared liquidity layer across Solana validator tokens.
Do either of these platforms require identity verification?
Rocket Pool does not enforce KYC checks. Both protocols operate through non-custodial smart contracts on their respective blockchains.