StakeWise is a liquid Ethereum staking protocol designed to unlock the earnings potential of ETH2 for users in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. It allows users to stake ETH and earn rewards while maintaining liquidity through tokenized derivatives of staked assets.
StakeWise operates on the Ethereum blockchain, specifically the Ethereum 2.0 network, using a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. Its components include staking Vaults, osETH tokens for liquid staking, and Oracles for validator registration and reward calculation. StakeWise enables secure ETH staking and liquid staking through its protocol architecture, smart contracts, and specific algorithms like layered staking and slashing protection.
StakeWise provides various use cases including liquid staking that allows ETH holders to stake and earn with liquid derivatives like sETH2 for DeFi protocol integration. It promotes decentralised staking by allowing the creation of Vaults for node operators and offers potential for insurance mechanisms using SWISE tokens. Additionally, it supports applications in DeFi through partnerships with platforms like Uniswap V3 and offers institutional-grade staking solutions with partners like Blockdaemon.
StakeWise was founded in 2018 in Tallinn, Estonia, by Kirill Kutakov and others with the goal of providing Ethereum staking services. It has achieved significant milestones such as launching StakeWise V3, accommodating advanced staking features, and maintaining high security standards through audits. Early on, StakeWise positioned itself as a major player in liquid staking, with notable partnerships and developments that have reinforced its market presence.