ssv.network

The ssv.network is a decentralized staking infrastructure that enables the distributed operation of an Ethereum validator. This is achieved by splitting a validator key between four or more non trusting node instances (‘multi-operator node’). The nodes are collectively tasked with executing the validator's duties under a consensus mechanism. In simple terms, the protocol transforms a validator key into a multisig construct governed by a consensus layer.

The unique protocol improves robustness, liveliness and fault tolerance of nodes across the Ethereum ecosystem. Distributing validator keys between node instances suggests a major leap forward comparing to existing staking schemes who fall short when it comes to:

The idea began as a research piece introduced by the Ethereum Foundation in 2019. It has since been developed into a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) community governance model with a growing network of stakers, developers, and node operators. At the time of writing, SSV Network secures over 1.4M ETH staked, with over 1,000 globally decentralized node operators.

The first SSV Network testnet was launched on April 7, 2021, and a Testnet V2 was deployed not long after, in the latter part of July 2021. An incentivized testnet called Primus went live in two five-week phases from January 24 - April 4, 2022. August 22 Testnet V2 (Shifu) went live followed by testnet V3 (JATO) in March 2023. In December 2023 SSV Network went live on Ethereum mainnet, launching with it an ecosystem of DVT-powered staking applications built on SSV Network.

Secret Shared Validators (SSV) is the first secure and robust way to split an Ethereum validator key between non-trusting node instances (or operators). The validator key is split in such a way that no node must trust the other to function, a certain number can go offline without affecting validator performance, and no single node instance can take unilateral control of the validator. The result is decentralized, fault-tolerant, and secure staking on Ethereum.

SSV can be perceived as an intermediary layer between the validator node and the beacon chain. Validator keys are split into 4 or more shares and organized in a ‘multi-operator’ construct. The technology significantly improves the limitations of existing staking implementations:

Validator keys can be stored offline - Validator keys are currently kept online in order to perform duties on the Beacon chain. With SSV, only the encrypted ‘Shared Keys’ are kept online thus eliminating the risk of exposing the key attack vectors and exploitation. ‘Active to active’ redundancy - Independent node instances (operators) can operate simultaneously and manage a validator key without slashing risk Infrastructure flexibility- stakers(validators) are able to change and optimize their multi-operator construct by changing 1 or more of the node instances. Threshold signature scheme - 1 or more nodes can go offline without affecting the validaotr’s ability to continue performing duties. This achieves optimal fault tolerance and validator uptime.