Rocket Pool is the leading decentralised Ethereum staking protocol for node operators, enabling anyone to run an Ethereum validator node with just 8 ETH (vs the standard 32 ETH requirement) by pooling their stake with rETH depositors. Launched in 2021, Rocket Pool uses a trust-minimised model: node operators must bond ETH and RPL tokens as collateral, creating skin-in-the-game that aligns operator incentives with depositor protection. rETH is Rocket Pool’s liquid staking token — like Lido’s stETH but more decentralised. Unlike Lido (which uses a curated operator set), Rocket Pool allows permissionless node operation: anyone meeting the technical and collateral requirements can join. This makes Rocket Pool a more decentralised alternative to Lido, though with lower TVL due to the ETH and RPL collateral requirements creating a higher operator barrier. RPL is the protocol token: node operators must hold RPL worth at least 10% of their bonded ETH to maintain their node; they earn RPL inflation rewards and a share of commission fees. The ‘Atlas’ upgrade (2023) reduced the minimum node bond to 8 ETH with ‘minipools’, making participation easier. The ‘Saturn’ upgrade further reduced bond requirements. Rocket Pool has around 3,000-4,000 active node operators — a far more decentralised validator set than most alternatives, making it philosophically important to Ethereum’s long-term health.
Example: An Ethereum enthusiast wants to run a validator but only has 10 ETH. Via Rocket Pool, they bond 8 ETH and purchase required RPL collateral, joining as a node operator. Their minipool combines with 24 ETH from rETH depositors to form a standard 32 ETH validator. They earn standard staking rewards plus a commission on the deposited ETH — more yield than simply staking, with the trade-off of running their own node.
Learn more: Rocket Pool
