The Ethereum fork discussion is heating up as the Merge approaches, with over 800T of miner hash power at stake. Many are already preparing for a potential fork, making Ethereum's second community fork highly probable. The market is also buzzing around Ethereum fork concepts, with LDO and ETC leading recent surges. Below, we explore key projects divided into ETH2.0 and ETH fork categories.
ETH 2.0 Concept Projects
LDO (Lido) & RPL (Rocket Pool)
- Lido: The leading liquid staking protocol, holding ~4M ETH (90.4% market share). Users deposit ETH to receive stETH (1:1), a liquid derivative traded on Curve.
- Rocket Pool: Focused exclusively on Ethereum, it allows node operators with 16 ETH (plus RPL collateral) to participate. While RPL has stronger utility, Lido's first-mover advantage keeps LDO dominant.
ssv.network
A validator infrastructure (not a staking service) that helps operators reduce costs/risks. Backed by a $10M Feb 2022 funding round (Coinbase, OKX, DCG).
Obol
Develops "Distributed Validator Clusters" to enhance security. Unreleased token; prototype expected Q2 2022. Supported by Lido ($100K grant).
StakeWise
Dual-token model (sETH2/rETH2) for compounding yields. Raised $2M in 2021, with KYC-focused institutional solutions via Blockdaemon.
Swell Network
Permissionless ETH staking protocol partnered with SSV. $3.75M seed round (Framework Ventures, Mark Cuban).
ETH Fork/POW Mining Projects
ETC (Ethereum Classic)
The original Ethereum chain post-DAO fork. Current hash rate: ~23TH/s (vs. ETH’s 881TH/s). Prime candidate to absorb ETH miners.
XMR (Monero)
Privacy-focused, ASIC-resistant (RandomX algorithm). CPU/GPU mining; +69% since June 2022 lows.
RVN (Ravencoin)
Fair-launch GPU-mineable coin (KAWPOW algorithm). Hash rate: 2.3TH/s.
FAQ Section
1. Will Ethereum fork happen?
High likelihood due to miner incentives and historical precedent (ETC fork).
2. Which projects benefit most from ETH fork?
ETC (POW continuity), LDO/RPL (staking demand), and SSV (validator support).
3. Can ETH miners switch to XMR/RVN?
Yes, but efficiency varies (XMR favors CPU; RVN uses GPU).
4. Is stETH safe post-Merge?
Yes, as Lido operates on consensus-layer rules, unaffected by POW forks.
5. How does SSV capture value?
By charging fees to staking services (e.g., Lido) for infrastructure support.
👉 Explore top ETH staking platforms for optimized yields.
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