Run an Ethereum validator: bonds, reward share and a calculator
Data last changed · by Joseph, Ethereum node operator
You can run an Ethereum validator with as little as 2.4 ETH (Lido CSM) or 4 ETH (Rocket Pool), or bring the full 32 ETH solo or through DVT. Network validator APR: 2.62%
- Two Lido CSM validators need 3.7 ETH of bond; two Rocket Pool megapool validators need 8 ETH, 4.3 ETH more.
- With one validator, CSM earns about 3.44% a year on a 2.4 ETH bond; Rocket Pool earns about 3.53% on a 4 ETH bond at today's 5.0% commission.
- Solo staking earns about 2.62% on 32 ETH, but you need the full 32 ETH and pay all hardware costs yourself.
- All estimates are before running costs, MEV variance and penalties.
| Program | Bond needed | Your reward share | Open? | Expected APR (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo staking | 32 ETH per validator source checked 2026-10-16 | 100% of validator rewards source checked 2026-10-16 | Open (permissionless) source checked 2026-10-16 | 2.62% on 32 ETH |
| Lido CSM (Community Staking Module) | 2.4 ETH first validator, 1.3 ETH each after (default curve) source checked 2026-10-16 | 3.5% of rewards on each 32 ETH validator (default type), plus stETH rebase on your bond source checked 2026-10-16 | Open, permissionless entry via FIFO queue (0x01 CSM live on mainnet) source checked 2026-10-16 | 3.44% on your bond (1 validator) |
| Rocket Pool (megapool) | 4 ETH per validator (Saturn 1) source checked 2026-10-16 | Full rewards on your 4 ETH + node commission on the 28 borrowed ETH (live value below) source checked 2026-10-16 Live commission: 5.00% | Open, permissionless; deposit queue (live length below) source checked 2026-10-16 Queue: 2,104 validators | 3.53% on your bond (1 validator) |
| SSV Network (DVT) | No protocol bond. A staker brings 32 ETH; operators run key shares source checked 2026-10-16, needs re-check | Operators set their own fee; stakers pay operator fees + a network fee in SSV source checked 2026-10-16, needs re-check | Open (permissionless operator registration) source checked 2026-10-16, needs re-check | 2.62% on 32 ETH before fees |
| Obol (Distributed Validators) | No protocol bond. The cluster jointly provides 32 ETH per validator source checked 2026-10-16, needs re-check | Cluster members split rewards; Obol takes a protocol fee (check docs for the current rate) source checked 2026-10-16, needs re-check | Open (anyone can create a cluster with the DV Launchpad) source checked 2026-10-16, needs re-check Clusters: 313 clusters | 2.62% on 32 ETH before fees |
| StakeWise V3 (vaults) | No fixed bond. You run a vault; stakers deposit into it source checked 2026-10-16, needs re-check | Vault operator sets the vault fee; StakeWise takes a protocol share source checked 2026-10-16, needs re-check | Open (anyone can create a vault) source checked 2026-10-16, needs re-check | 2.62% on 32 ETH before fees |
Live: Rocket Pool API, Lido API, Obol API. Manual fields come from the linked docs. Notes: You hold all 32 ETH and all the risk. No protocol fee. Identified Community Stakers (ICS) get a lower bond (1.5 ETH first, 1.3 after) and a higher reward share for the first 16 keys. Saturn 2 plans 4 ETH for the first two validators, then 1.5 ETH each (RPIP-42). Not live yet. Splits one validator across 4+ operators. Fee levels not tracked here yet. Also used as a route into Lido CSM via DVT clusters. Your ETH earns via osETH minting against the vault. Earnings depend on attracting deposits.
Calculator: what can I run with my ETH?
| Program | Validators | ETH used | Est. yearly rewards | APR on your ETH | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo staking | 0 | 0.0 ETH | Needs more ETH | – | full rewards, no protocol fee |
| Lido CSM (Community Staking Module) | 5 | 7.6 ETH | 0.315 ETH | 3.94% | 3.5% of rewards on each 32 ETH validator + stETH yield on the bond |
| Rocket Pool (megapool) | 2 | 8.0 ETH | 0.283 ETH | 3.53% | full rewards on 4 ETH + 5.0% commission on 28 borrowed ETH |
| SSV Network (DVT) | 0 | 0.0 ETH | Needs more ETH | – | before DVT/protocol fees (not tracked yet) |
| Obol (Distributed Validators) | 0 | 0.0 ETH | Needs more ETH | – | before DVT/protocol fees (not tracked yet) |
| StakeWise V3 (vaults) | 0 | 0.0 ETH | Needs more ETH | – | before DVT/protocol fees (not tracked yet) |
Estimates before hardware, power and internet costs, using the live rates above (network 2.62%, stETH 2.22%, RP commission 5.0%). Leftover ETH is not counted.
Risks
- Solo staking: Slashing and downtime penalties fall entirely on you. Hardware, power and internet are on you.
- Lido CSM (Community Staking Module): Bond is held as stETH and can be burned for penalties or missed MEV. Queue wait is variable. Smart-contract risk.
- Rocket Pool (megapool): Your bond takes losses first. Waiting time depends on the deposit pool. Smart-contract risk.
- SSV Network (DVT): Operator set and fees vary. Extra software layer. Fees are paid in SSV token.
- Obol (Distributed Validators): Coordination with other cluster members. Extra software layer (Charon).
- StakeWise V3 (vaults): osETH can be liquidated if vault performance drops. Smart-contract risk.
FAQ
How much is the Lido CSM bond?
On the default curve it is 2.4 ETH for the first validator and 1.3 ETH for each one after. Identified Community Stakers pay 1.5 ETH for the first. The bond is held as stETH, so it keeps earning about 2.22% while it sits there.
Rocket Pool vs Lido CSM: which needs less ETH?
CSM: 2.4 ETH for one validator, 3.7 ETH for two. Rocket Pool (Saturn 1): 4 ETH per validator. Rocket Pool gives you full rewards on your 4 ETH plus 5.0% commission on 28 borrowed ETH; CSM gives you 3.5% of the validator's rewards plus stETH yield on the bond.
Can I run a validator with less than 32 ETH?
Yes, through bonded programs like Lido CSM (from 2.4 ETH) or Rocket Pool (4 ETH). With DVT (SSV, Obol) a group shares one 32 ETH validator, but someone still provides the 32 ETH.
What happens to my bond if I get slashed or go offline?
In CSM and Rocket Pool your bond absorbs penalties first. Short downtime costs small missed rewards; slashing and some CSM penalties can take part of the bond.
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