SKN | Lido’s stVaults Open Ethereum Staking to Custom Rules for L2s and Institutions

Lido Labs Foundation has rolled out stVaults on the Ethereum mainnet, introducing a new way for builders, layer-2 networks and institutions to access Ethereum staking without having to build full infrastructure from scratch.

The launch marks a strategic shift for Lido, moving beyond a single, standardized staking product toward a shared staking framework that other teams can customize while remaining connected to Lido’s liquidity and DeFi footprint.

What stVaults Actually Do

At its core, stVaults allow external teams to plug directly into Lido’s staking system. Instead of independently setting up validators, liquidity pipelines and integrations, builders can now deploy isolated staking environments that sit on top of Lido’s existing infrastructure.

Each stVault operates as its own sandbox. Teams can define custom validator configurations, choose how rewards are distributed and decide whether or not to mint stETH. At the same time, they retain access to Lido’s deep liquidity and established DeFi integrations.

Lido emphasized that its core staking protocol remains unchanged, with stVaults running alongside the main system rather than altering it.

Why This Matters for Ethereum

Ethereum staking is increasingly fragmenting as different users demand different setups. Institutional players often require tighter controls and compliance guardrails. Applications want staking that aligns with their own token economics. Layer-2 networks are exploring ways to embed staking directly into their infrastructure without splitting liquidity across isolated pools.

stVaults are designed to address that evolution by offering flexibility without sacrificing scale. Instead of competing staking silos, the model keeps liquidity unified while allowing staking logic to diverge.

Early Adopters Signal Broader Use Cases

Among the first users of stVaults is Consensys, whose layer-2 network Linea is using the framework to stake a portion of bridged ETH. The rewards are being redirected toward liquidity providers and ecosystem incentives, embedding staking economics directly into the network.

Blockchain analytics firm Nansen is also leveraging stVaults to launch its first Ethereum staking product, highlighting the model’s appeal beyond infrastructure builders.

A Shift in Lido’s Role

“stVaults show how Ethereum staking is evolving. Different users now need different setups,” said Isidoros Passadis, chief of staking at the Lido Labs Foundation. He added that the framework allows Lido to support diverse staking needs while preserving the liquidity and transparency that made stETH dominant.

For Lido, the move positions the protocol less as a single staking product and more as shared infrastructure for the next phase of Ethereum staking. As staking demand becomes more specialized, stVaults could allow Lido to remain central to the ecosystem even as use cases diversify.

The Bigger Picture

The launch reflects a broader trend across Ethereum: modularization. Just as rollups abstract execution and data layers, stVaults abstract staking infrastructure. Builders get customization. Users get liquidity continuity. And Ethereum avoids further fragmentation of its staking economy.

If widely adopted, stVaults could become the default way new networks and applications integrate staking, reinforcing Lido’s influence while reshaping how staking products are built across Ethereum.