Staking with a decentralised protocol that has a diverse and fully permissionless node operator set means you don’t need to trust any people or companies with your ETH
Rocket Pool is still the only fully permissionless staking protocol
Rocket Pool
Decentralized Ethereum liquid staking backed by permissionless node operators and a 0.01 ETH minimum
4.2/ 5
Our score
Very good
Type
Liquid staking
Protocol fee
14%
Minimum stake
0.01 ETH
Withdrawal time
Instant via deposit pool buffer
Receipt token
rETH
Audited
Yes
What is Rocket Pool?
Rocket Pool is a decentralized Ethereum liquid staking protocol that lets stakers deposit ETH to receive the yield-bearing receipt token rETH, while permissionless node operators run validators across the network. Launched on Ethereum mainnet in November 2021, the protocol manages over $1.2B in total value locked across more than 1,400 independent node operators.
Founding and backing
Founded in 2017 by Chief Technology Officer David Rugendyke, who studied computer science at Southern Cross University and previously worked as a senior developer at Clemenger BBDO and George Patterson Y&R, Rocket Pool operates via Rocket Pool Pty Ltd. The project raised an early seed round led by Consensys in May 2018, followed by an investment from 1kx and a private token round backed by Coinbase Ventures in August 2023.
How the protocol works
Stakers can deposit as little as 0.01 ETH directly via the protocol contracts on Ethereum mainnet to receive rETH. Instead of rebasing balances, rETH appreciates in value against ETH as staking rewards accrue. To fulfill validator requirements on the Beacon Chain, Rocket Pool pairs pooled liquid staking deposits with capital provided by independent node operators. Following the Saturn 1 upgrade in February 2026, node operators can spin up validators using a 4 ETH bond alongside pooled capital, managed through the protocol's Smart Node client suite.
Fees and access
Rocket Pool enforces no identity verification (KYC) and operates through non-custodial smart contracts. Node operators receive a baseline 5% commission on the rewards earned by pooled ETH, while roughly 9% of protocol revenue directs to RPL stakers via a fee switch paid in ETH. Liquid stakers redeem rETH back into ETH through an onchain deposit pool buffer or trade it on decentralized secondary markets.
Track record and protocol risks
Rocket Pool holds audits from Consensys Diligence, Sigma Prime, Trail of Bits, and Hashlock, as well as a bug bounty program on Immunefi. In March 2023, the project was targeted by a phishing incident that compromised $3.8M via social engineering rather than smart contract failure. Like all liquid staking protocols, users face risks including smart contract vulnerabilities, potential validator slashing penalties, withdrawal queue delays during periods of high exit demand, and secondary market depeg risk if rETH liquidity thins.
Founders
David RugendykeFounder and CTO
Studied Computer Science at Southern Cross University and previously worked as a Senior Programmer at Clemenger BBDO Brisbane.
Best for:Decentralization-focused Ethereum stakersHome node operators with under 32 ETHDeFi users needing yield-bearing collateral
Pros and cons
Pros
- Permissionless node operator set with over 1,400 independent operators
- Low minimum liquid deposit of 0.01 ETH with no identity checks
- Requires only 4 ETH validator bonds instead of standard 32 ETH solo stakes
- Extensively audited by firms including Sigma Prime, Consensys Diligence, and Trail of Bits
Cons
- Lower published staking yields than some larger centralized competitors
- Redemptions directly from the protocol depend on available deposit pool buffer liquidity
- Stakers remain exposed to potential node operator slashing penalties and contract bugs
Our review
4.2/5
Very good
Rocket Pool provides permissionless, decentralized Ethereum liquid staking with strong smart contract security, though rETH yields remain slightly lower than centralized or coordinated alternatives.
Rocket Pool is an Ethereum liquid staking protocol designed around permissionless node operations. Founded in 2017 by David Rugendyke, the network pairs retail liquid staking deposits with capital supplied by independent node operators. Rather than relying on a vetted whitelist of professional institutions, anyone can run an Ethereum validator through Rocket Pool with as little as 4 ETH bonded after the Saturn 1 upgrade in February 2026. Liquid stakers receive rETH, an ERC-20 token that increases in value relative to ETH as staking rewards accrue.
Over 1,400 independent node operators manage validators across the network. Stakers can enter with as little as 0.01 ETH, avoiding the 32 ETH threshold required for solo staking without surrendering custody to a centralized intermediary. Consensys Diligence, Sigma Prime, and Trail of Bits audited the protocol smart contracts prior to its mainnet deployment in November 2021.
Trade-offs center on protocol yield and secondary liquidity. The base node operator commission is 5%, alongside an additional 9% protocol revenue share directed to staked RPL holders. As a result, rETH net APY typically floats between 2.0% and 2.2%, trailing larger competitors. Unbonding and redemption times depend on the internal deposit pool buffer: when the buffer holds sufficient funds, withdrawals are direct, but larger exits rely on secondary market liquidity or validator exit queues. While the protocol experienced a $3.8M social engineering phishing event in March 2023, its underlying smart contracts remained uncompromised.
Rocket Pool suits Ethereum holders and node runners who value non-custodial architecture over maximum headline return. Users seeking higher baseline yield may prefer larger staking pools.
Specs
| KYC required ⓘ | No · unverified |
|---|---|
| Type | Liquid staking |
| Stakeable assets | ETH |
| Receipt token | rETH |
| Protocol fee | 14% · unverified |
| Minimum stake | 0.01 ETH |
| Withdrawal time | Instant via deposit pool buffer · unverified |
| Chains | Ethereum |
| Node operators | Permissionless |
| Audited | Yes |
| Restaking | No · unverified |
| Slashing cover | Yes · unverified |
| Typical reward rate ⓘ | 2.0-2.2% · unverified |
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
Low liquid staking threshold
Stakers can deposit as little as 0.01 ETH directly into the protocol to receive rETH without running hardware.
Value-accruing rETH token
rETH does not rebase; its exchange rate relative to ETH increases as underlying validators earn staking rewards.
Permissionless validator bonding
Node operators can launch an Ethereum validator with a 4 ETH bond alongside pooled user deposits.
Smart Node software
An open-source software suite helps node operators manage Rocket Pool validators.
Onchain liquidity buffer
An integrated deposit pool buffer holds unbonded ETH to facilitate near-instant rETH redemptions without waiting for validator exits.
Revenue share fee switch
The protocol routes roughly 9% of generated protocol revenue to staked RPL holders in ETH.
Inside Rocket Pool
rETH Liquid Staking
The core staking interface where users deposit ETH in exchange for rETH starting at 0.01 ETH. The token accrues staking rewards automatically and can be redeemed for ETH or used across decentralized finance.
Node Staking
The validator infrastructure allowing permissionless node operators to launch validators with 4 ETH of their own capital bonded to pooled liquid staker deposits.
Smart Node
An open-source command-line software suite that automates execution client, consensus client, and validator setup and maintenance for node operators.
Rocket Pool screenshots
What users say about Rocket Pool
Mentions of Rocket Pool primarily discuss its role as a leading liquid staking protocol and an accessible option for running validator nodes. User sentiment is neutral to positive with no common complaints identified.
In their own words
“You don't need to hold a liquid staking token if you want to do your own staking through Rocket Pool. Dropping from 8 to 4 ETH in less than two weeks. See here for a start. They have an active Discord if you are thinking of being a home staker.”
Based on 5 Reddit posts and comments from the last 12 months, checked Oct 20, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.
User reviews
No user reviews yet. Have you used Rocket Pool? Share your experience below.
Funding and investors
3Rounds
3Investors
-
Private token sale Aug 2023 Amount undisclosed
-
Seed May 2018 Amount undisclosedSource
-
Funding round Amount undisclosed
FAQ
Who founded Rocket Pool?
Rocket Pool was founded in 2017 by CTO David Rugendyke. He previously worked as a senior developer before launching the protocol via Rocket Pool Pty Ltd.
What fees does Rocket Pool charge?
Rocket Pool routes a 5% base commission to node operators and allocates approximately 9% of protocol revenue to staked RPL holders.
Is KYC required to use Rocket Pool?
No, Rocket Pool does not require KYC. Users interact directly with non-custodial smart contracts on Ethereum mainnet using a Web3 wallet.
Has Rocket Pool been audited?
Yes, Rocket Pool smart contracts have undergone audits by firms including Consensys Diligence, Sigma Prime, Trail of Bits, and Hashlock. The protocol also maintains an active bug bounty on Immunefi.
Does Rocket Pool have a native token?
Yes, Rocket Pool has two tokens: rETH and RPL. The rETH token is the yield-bearing liquid staking receipt, while RPL is the protocol's staking token.
What is the minimum deposit to stake on Rocket Pool?
Liquid stakers can mint rETH with a minimum deposit of 0.01 ETH. Independent node operators can create validators by bonding a minimum of 4 ETH.
Latest from Rocket Pool on X
Rocket Pool deployed a devnet on Platåberget to facilitate testing of the Glamsterdam upgrade
To participate in the testnet, ensure you’ve upgraded to Smart Node v1.24.4 or later
Supported clients are Geth, Nethermind, Lodestar, Nimbus, & Teku
More details on GitHub below 👇 https://t.co/8fQwzydDRt
To participate in the testnet, ensure you’ve upgraded to Smart Node v1.24.4 or later
Supported clients are Geth, Nethermind, Lodestar, Nimbus, & Teku
More details on GitHub below 👇 https://t.co/8fQwzydDRt
All onchain votes for Saturn 2 have closed at quorum:
+ Preferred MEGAPOOL exit criteria is random selection
+ RPIP-71 will be included in the upgrade
+ RPIP-85 will be deferred
+ Validator bonds will remain at 4 ETH for now
+ Preferred MEGAPOOL exit criteria is random selection
+ RPIP-71 will be included in the upgrade
+ RPIP-85 will be deferred
+ Validator bonds will remain at 4 ETH for now
The latest Smart Node version 1.24.3 contains multiple client updates
It's high priority for Besu users, medium priority for Lighthouse, Nethermind, Nimbus, and Reth users, and low priority for everyone else
Check out the changes on GitHub before you install the upgrade 👇 https://t.co/yRpS2g7L5W
It's high priority for Besu users, medium priority for Lighthouse, Nethermind, Nimbus, and Reth users, and low priority for everyone else
Check out the changes on GitHub before you install the upgrade 👇 https://t.co/yRpS2g7L5W
Saturn 2 upgrade governance has now progressed to snapshot voting, with four polls live for two weeks:
RPIP-42/83: single choice
RPIP-71 criteria: ranked choice
RPIP-71 inclusion: basic (yes/no)
RPIP-85: basic (yes/no)
Node operators can have their say at the below link 👇 https://t.co/30Zzpz9nhN
RPIP-42/83: single choice
RPIP-71 criteria: ranked choice
RPIP-71 inclusion: basic (yes/no)
RPIP-85: basic (yes/no)
Node operators can have their say at the below link 👇 https://t.co/30Zzpz9nhN
Recent public posts from @Rocket_Pool, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
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