Rocket Pool (RPL)

Decentralized Ethereum staking. No minimum, no custodian.

What is Rocket Pool?

Rocket Pool is a decentralized staking protocol for Ethereum. Normally, to stake ETH and earn rewards, you need 32 ETH and technical expertise to run a validator. Rocket Pool lets anyone stake as little as 0.01 ETH and earn rewards without running infrastructure. It also allows node operators with less than 32 ETH to run validators by pooling ETH from other users.

RPL is the token used by node operators to collateralize their validators. Node operators must stake RPL (in addition to ETH) as insurance. If they fail to perform their duties, their RPL stake can be slashed. RPL also governs the Rocket Pool protocol through the Rocket Pool DAO.

Rocket Pool is the largest decentralized staking pool on Ethereum, with billions in total value locked. It's a true alternative to centralized staking services like Coinbase or Lido.

How Rocket Pool Works

Rocket Pool has two sides: stakers and node operators. Stakers deposit any amount of ETH and receive rETH, a liquid staking token that accrues value as staking rewards are earned. rETH can be used in DeFi while you earn staking rewards. Node operators deposit 16 ETH (instead of the usual 32) and stake RPL as collateral. Rocket Pool matches their 16 ETH with 16 ETH from the staking pool. Node operators earn ETH staking rewards plus a commission from the pool. RPL stakers earn rewards proportional to their stake.

Rocket Pool Ecosystem

Liquid staking with rETH — earn rewards, keep liquidity
Decentralized node operator network
RPL collateral and governance
Lower barrier to entry for solo stakers (16 ETH instead of 32)
Integration with DeFi protocols using rETH as collateral

Team & Development

Rocket Pool was founded by David Rugendyke in 2016, making it one of the earliest Ethereum staking projects. The protocol launched on mainnet in November 2021 after years of development and audits. Rocket Pool is governed by the Rocket Pool DAO, where RPL holders vote on protocol parameters and upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is rETH?

rETH is the liquid staking token you receive when you deposit ETH into Rocket Pool. It represents your staked ETH plus accrued rewards. The value of rETH relative to ETH increases over time as staking rewards accumulate. You can trade, use as collateral, or hold rETH.

Why would I stake RPL as a node operator?

Node operators stake RPL as collateral insurance. In exchange, they earn ETH staking rewards plus a commission from the pool (typically 5-20% APR). RPL stakers also earn RPL inflation rewards. It's a higher-risk, higher-reward role compared to just staking ETH.

Where do I store RPL?

RPL is an ERC-20 token on Ethereum. Use MetaMask, Ledger, or any Ethereum wallet.

Can I sell or swap RPL?

Yes. Swaps supports selling RPL for fiat and swapping it for other tokens.

Buy Rocket Pool on Swaps

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