Recent upgrades to Ethereum, specifically the Merge and Shanghai, have reportedly led to an increased centralization of the network. This rise in centralization is primarily attributed to the surge in ether (ETH) staking, which, while beneficial in some ways, has its drawbacks.
Is Staking GOOD?
Staking, especially in Ethereum, has grown in popularity. However, this has inadvertently caused the overall yield from staking to decrease. For instance, where staking yield once stood at a robust 7.3%, post the Shanghai upgrade, it has diminished to around 5.5%.
Moreover, the allure of decentralized staking platforms had gained traction in the crypto community as they were viewed as preferable to their centralized counterparts. These decentralized platforms have been making efforts to increase their node operators. This strategy aims to ensure that no single operator controls a disproportionate amount of staked ether, addressing some centralization concerns.
The Risks of Centralization
It’s essential to understand that any form of centralization, regardless of the entity or protocol, introduces potential risks. If too few liquidity providers or node operators control the majority of the network, it can lead to vulnerabilities. Such concentration could result in a single failure point, or in a worst-case scenario, create opportunities for malicious attacks. There’s also the fear that these dominating entities might prioritize their interests over the community’s welfare.
Rehypothecation: A Rising Concern
Another pressing concern is rehypothecation. This involves liquidity tokens being used simultaneously as collateral across multiple decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. DeFi encompasses a range of financial activities executed on a blockchain, such as trading and lending. The problem with rehypothecation is that it could trigger a series of liquidations if the staked asset suddenly drops in value or faces security breaches.
Staking Yield’s Diminished Appeal
With traditional financial assets witnessing increasing yields, Ethereum’s declining staking yield makes it less attractive. The drop from 7.3% to 5.5% post the upgrades underscores this shift.
