ReportWire

Tag: Lido Finance

  • Ethereum Validator Slashing Puts Cardano’s Resilience In Focus – Here’s Why

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    A recent slashing of Ethereum from different validators has reignited the debate around staking models, with many pointing to Cardano’s more resilient structure as a key differentiator. While Ethereum’s system penalizes validators for downtime or misbehavior, Cardano’s staking approach avoids such risks, offering delegators security without the fear of losing funds. 

    Why Simplicity And Resilience Are Cardano’s Key Advantages

    On September 10, a slashing of 11.7 ETH from 39 Ethereum validators highlights the advantages of Cardano’s staking structure. Crypto analyst Dori has highlighted on X the fundamental differences in staking requirements and risks between the two networks. On Ethereum, it is structurally impossible to stake 0.1 ETH directly on ETH, but an individual must stake a minimum of 32 ETH and operate a validator node themselves. 

    However, platforms have been built on Ethereum to allow staking with as little as 0.1 ETH, and liquid tokens are issued. The critical difference is that, due to the slashing mechanism, Ethereum’s structure carries the risk of a cascading collapse. This has given rise to platforms like Ankr and Lido Finance, which pool ETH from many users, run validators, and issue liquid staking tokens such as ankrETH and stETH to solve the problem of locked-up funds.

    In this incident, an operational mistake by the operators of 39 validators led to a slashing penalty of 11.7 ETH, which is worth approximately $52,000. If a larger slashing event were to occur, it could lead to the de-pegging of the liquid staking tokens, potentially triggering a cascading collapse as DeFi ecosystem protocols built upon them.

    On Ethereum, iquid staking platforms were developed to remove obstacles to staking, and liquid tokens were distributed to address the issue of lock-ups. In contrast, Cardana’s staking model allows anyone to stake as little as 10 ADA in a stake pool without worrying about slashing. There are no lock-up periods, and a user’s staked funds are never at risk of being lost, even if their chosen stake pool misbehaves.

    Fundamentally Different Approaches To Staking

    Cardanians (CRDN) also stated that a critical flaw in Ethereum’s staking model has been exposed, highlighting the fundamental advantages of Cardano’s design. The data shows that the Ethereum staking exit queue has hit an all-time high, forcing users who unstake their ETH to wait an estimated 46 days to get their funds back.

    However, Cardano’s ADA staking model offers a fundamentally different experience, with liquid staking and no entry or exit queues. When a user stakes their ADA, the funds remain in their wallet and are always available for use or transfer, and earn rewards without being locked up. “The design is fundamentally better,” the expert noted.

    Ethereum

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    Godspower Owie

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  • Lido Finance Fees Exploding, Should Comparatively Low Revenue Be A Concern?

    Lido Finance Fees Exploding, Should Comparatively Low Revenue Be A Concern?

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    The total amount of Ethereum (ETH) staked on Lido Finance, one of the many liquidity staking protocols available, has risen steadily over the past few years. Surprisingly, revenue accrued by the platform (compared to staking rewards distributed) remains comparatively low. 

    Lido Finance Revenue Isn’t Growing As Fast As Expected

    Looking at Token Terminal data shared on October 19, the blockchain analytic platform observed that while staking rewards paid, counted as “fees” by Lido Finance grew from less than $10 million in early 2021 to over $60 million in June 2023, revenue has grown at a much slower pace. To illustrate, Lido Finance’s average revenue is roughly less than $5 million during this period.

    Lido Finance fees versus revenue| Source: Token Terminal

    Overall, Lido Finance is a liquidity staking protocol that supports the staking of multiple proof-of-stake (PoS) coins like Ethereum (ETH) without necessarily locking them up. Users can concurrently earn staking rewards while accessing their hard-earned ETH–or any other coin supported.

    LDO price on October 19| Source: LDOUSDT on Binance, TradingView
    LDO price on October 19| Source: LDOUSDT on Binance, TradingView

    The protocol issues another derivative, stETH, for every ETH staked to achieve this. This token can be freely traded on exchanges. It can even be used as collateral for users keen on taking trustless loans on supported platforms.

    Ethereum recently shifted to be a proof-of-stake blockchain to be greener and conserve the environment. This transition was a boon for protocols that supported the first smart contract platform to confirm transactions and remain secure, especially after the activation of Shanghai in April 2023. 

    The Shanghai upgrade allowed Ethereum validators to withdraw their staked ETH for the first time, permitting them to use alternatives, of which Lido Finance, looking at total value locked (TVL), was preferred. As of October 19, Lido Finance had a TVL of $13.913 billion, most of it being assets on Ethereum. 

    Lido Finance TVL| Source: DeFiLlama
    Lido Finance TVL| Source: DeFiLlama

    Ethereum Centralization Concerns: How Will This Be Addressed?

    Lido Finance makes staking more accessible to everyone while concurrently enhancing liquidity. However, the revenue generated appears low versus the amount of staking rewards distributed to stakers, most of whom are from Ethereum. Part of the revenue the network generates is also distributed to LDO holders and node operators. Whether the liquidity staking protocol plans to increase the 10% fee charged to increase revenue earned remains to be seen.

    Presently, there are concerns that Lido Finance’s role on Ethereum could lead to centralization. Ethereum has been accused of being “centralized,” mainly in how it is built. Critics assert that the reliance on its co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, for endorsement and guidance could slow down development in the future.

    Feature image from Canva, chart from TradingView

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    Dalmas Ngetich

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