How ETH Liquid Staking Works
Stakingverse operates a vault on StakeWise V3, a modular Ethereum staking protocol where each vault is an isolated, non-custodial smart contract. When you deposit ETH, it is pooled with other stakers' deposits to activate validators that Stakingverse runs and maintains.
There is no 32 ETH minimum — that requirement only applies to solo validators. Rewards from attestations, block proposals and MEV flow back to the vault and are shared with stakers.
If you want liquidity while staking, StakeWise V3 lets you mint osETH, a liquid staking token backed by your staked position, and use it in DeFi applications that explicitly support it. Review each integration's liquidity and risks. Minting osETH is optional.
How to Stake ETH (Step by Step)
- Open the vault page. Go to the Stakingverse vault on StakeWise and connect your wallet — MetaMask, WalletConnect-compatible wallets and hardware wallets are supported.
- Choose your amount. Enter how much ETH you want to stake. Check the current vault capacity and fee, and retain ETH for transaction fees.
- Sign the transaction. Confirm the deposit in your wallet and track your position. Rewards depend on the vault's active validators and performance. You can optionally mint osETH against your position for liquidity.
Fees
The vault fee is a percentage of your staking rewards — it never comes from your deposited ETH. The vault APY does not describe every cost of using osETH or DeFi. The current vault fee is shown on the vault page in the StakeWise app.
Minting osETH adds a separate protocol fee that increases the amount you must return over time. Ethereum transactions also cost gas. To withdraw your full stake after minting, burn the outstanding osETH amount shown in the app, including accrued fees. Selling or transferring osETH does not clear this obligation; you may need to obtain osETH again. It need not be the exact tokens originally minted. Read the complete Ethereum staking and withdrawal guide for partial withdrawals, collateral and claim steps.
Staking carries validator and smart contract risks. osETH can trade below its protocol exchange rate, and minted positions depend on collateral limits and liquidation rules where applicable. DeFi adds further risks. Review the current StakeWise fees and risks before minting, and monitor your position in the app.
Security & Audits
The StakeWise V3 protocol powering the vault has undergone multiple security audits by independent firms, including Sigma Prime, Halborn and ConsenSys Diligence. The vault contracts are non-custodial: depositors request withdrawals under the vault rules, including any osETH collateral requirements.
Read more on our Ethereum security documentation.
ETH Staking FAQs
No. Solo validator activation requires at least 32 ETH, but you can stake less through the Stakingverse vault on StakeWise V3. Check the current vault limits and available capacity, and retain ETH for transaction fees.
Yes. Your ETH is deposited into a StakeWise V3 vault smart contract, and you manage your position using your wallet. Stakingverse operates the validators. Withdrawals follow the vault rules, including any collateral requirements if you mint osETH.
Unstaking is not instant. Your request enters the vault's exit queue and can be claimed once funded and the applicable claim delay has elapsed. Available ETH in the vault can fund requests; if validators must release funds, Ethereum network queues also affect the wait. Check the StakeWise app for a current estimate. If you minted osETH, clear the outstanding minted position to withdraw your full stake.
You can follow your staked balance and accumulated rewards directly on the vault page in the StakeWise app, which shows the vault's live APY, total value locked and your personal position.
osETH is StakeWise V3's liquid staking token. If you want liquidity while staking, you can mint osETH against your staked position and use it in compatible DeFi applications. Check integration support, liquidity and risks. Minting is optional — you can simply stake in the vault and earn rewards without ever minting osETH.
Besides regular consensus rewards, validators earn extra income from block proposals, including priority fees and MEV. The Stakingverse vault shares these rewards with stakers, which is reflected in the vault's APY.
More questions? Browse the full staking FAQ.
Pool Staking vs Solo Staking
Pool staking through the vault requires no validator hardware or maintenance from you. Check the vault's current deposit limits and capacity in the app before depositing. Solo staking gives you full independence but requires 32 ETH per validator, dedicated hardware running 24/7 and ongoing maintenance.
Prefer running your own node? Let us help with our white-glove node setup service.