Lido Core rolled out a major upgrade to its Ethereum staking system designed to improve validator efficiency and advance network decentralization. The update allows each validator to stake up to 2,048 ETH, a sharp rise from the previous 32 ETH limit, which is expected to simplify validator operations while raising overall staking capacity.
The upgrade is fully automatic for stETH holders, requiring no action on their end. It integrates Ethereum’s 0x02 withdrawal credentials through the new Curated Module v2, which revamps the staking protocol with upgraded security features and a market-driven operator economic model. This move replaces the older Curated Module, aligning Lido’s staking structure more closely with Ethereum’s evolving roadmap while enhancing long-term sustainability.
With just a fraction of the current number of validators needed, Lido predicts the network’s validator count could drop from about 880,000 to roughly 628,000. This reduction should ease the consensus layer’s load by cutting down on the volume of validator messages processed daily. this change affects only the Ethereum Consensus Layer; transaction speeds and gas fees managed by the Execution Layer are expected to remain unaffected.
The upgrade also introduces stricter security standards for node operators, reinforcing accountability across the staking infrastructure. These enhancements come at a key time for Ethereum as it continues to optimize its staking ecosystem.
