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ssv.network
About ssv.network
ssv.network (SSV) is a unique protocol that decentralizes and secures the operation of Ethereum validators by distributing an encrypted validator private key across different non-trusting nodes. Conceived by Ethereum Foundation researchers and later developed by Blox Staking, this protocol ensures that network performance isn't affected even if a portion of nodes goes offline. The native token of the ssv.network, $SSV, is used as a payment method within the network. Stakers use these tokens to pay fees to the operators they choose to manage their validators and to the DAO for network access. The payment structure facilitates a competitive 'free market' environment amongst staking providers and incentivizes stakers to maintain a minimum balance of $SSV as collateral, ensuring network solvency. It enhances security and reliability for stakers and promotes transparency and competition among operators.
Secret Shared Validators (SSV) is a unique protocol built on the ssv.network platform. Its fundamental purpose is to enable the distributed operation of an Ethereum validator, allowing an Ethereum validator private key to be encrypted, split, and distributed amongst different, non-trusting nodes or operators. This innovative approach means that even if a portion of these nodes go offline, network performance isn't affected, and no operator can take full control of the network unilaterally. It ensures decentralization, fault tolerance, and optimal security for staking on Ethereum.
The concept of SSV was initially proposed in 2019 by Ethereum Foundation researchers Aditya Asgaonkar and Carl Beekhuizen in an academic paper. Over time, the research group expanded to include contributions from other key figures such as EF researcher Dankrad Feist, Collin Myers from Consensus, and Mara Schmiedt from Coinbase. Later, Blox Staking joined the project and received a staking community grant from the Ethereum Foundation to develop the first audited SSV configuration. Blox Staking leads the development efforts, alongside many community contributions and open public testnets. The Blox (CDT) founders, Alon Muroch and Adam E, played a significant role in this development and were part of the rebranding from Blox (CDT) to ssv.network (SSV) in 2021.