Rocket Pool (RPL)

The protocol’s model is non-custodial, meaning users interact with smart contracts rather than handing control of their assets to a centralized staking provider. rETH can also be used across supported DeFi markets, giving holders more flexibility than traditional staking, where assets may be less liquid. This liquid staking approach has made protocols such as Rocket Pool an important part of Ethereum’s post-merge staking economy.

Rocket Pool also lowers the barrier for independent node operators. Instead of requiring the full 32 ETH needed to run a standalone Ethereum validator, the protocol allows operators to create validator pools with a smaller ETH bond, supplemented by ETH supplied by liquid stakers. Operators earn staking rewards and commission, while RPL, the protocol’s native token, is used within the system for incentives, collateral, and governance-related functions.

A defining feature of Rocket Pool is its emphasis on decentralization and permissionless participation. The protocol is designed to distribute validator operation across a broad set of independent participants rather than concentrating staking power in a small number of large providers. RPL therefore sits at the center of a staking ecosystem focused on Ethereum security, liquid staking access, and decentralized validator infrastructure.