Stader is a non-custodial, multichain staking platform. ETHx is Stader's liquid staking solution for ETH on Ethereum.
Stader allows users to earn staking rewards without locking assets or maintaining staking infrastructure. ETHx was designed with a multi-pool architecture. It has a permissionless pool, which allows anyone to operate nodes, as well as a permissioned pool, with curated validators during the Phase 1 launch. During the Phase 2 launch, Stader will introduce Distributed Validator Technology (DVT) with dedicated DVT-based stake pools. Stader's ETHx permissionless pool lets anyone with 4.4 ETH of asset collateral consisting of 4 ETH plus 0.4 ETH worth of SD (Stader's governance token). Users deposit their ETH into Stader's smart contracts and receive ETHX in return which represents the value of the user's staked ETH along with any staking rewards accrued or penalties inflicted on validators. Users can withdraw or redeem their ETHX back for their original ETH at any time. Stader then splits the staked ETH between multiple pools including permissionless and permissioned node operator pools.
Stader generates revenue by charging a 10% fee on the staking rewards earned by depositors. Of this fee, 5% is a protocol fee that is used for upgrading the protocol's staking infrastructure and the remaining 5% is provided to node operators as a commission.
Passive ETH holders can generate additional yield by participating in the PoS validation mechanism to earn block rewards. The unlocked liquidity with ETHX can also be used on a number of popular DeFi protocols to generate additional yield. If you have 4.4 ETH worth of assets, you can also choose to join the permissionless node operator pool and start earning validator rewards.