StakeWise
StakeWise is a non-custodial liquid staking protocol on Ethereum and Gnosis Chain enabling permissionless ETH/GNO staking with overcollateralized tokens (osETH/osGNO), customizable Vaults, and a yield amplification feature (Boost), serving retail stakers, institutional node operators, and white-label platforms like MetaMask, Ledger, and Blockchain.com.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersTallinn, Estonia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What StakeWise does
StakeWise is a permissionless, non-custodial liquid staking protocol operating on Ethereum and Gnosis Chain, founded in 2021 and headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, with legal entity Creative Tech Free Zone Co. registered in the UAE. The protocol enables users to stake any amount of ETH or GNO and receive overcollateralized liquid staking tokens (osETH on Ethereum, osGNO on Gnosis Chain) that accrue staking rewards over time while remaining usable across DeFi protocols. Its core architecture centers on customizable Vaults — isolated smart contract staking pools where operators control fees, MEV strategy, validator settings, and access controls — supported by a decentralized Oracle network requiring 8-of-11 approvals for validator registration and reward calculation.
StakeWise serves two primary customer segments: individual retail stakers who use the one-click self-serve app at app.stakewise.io, and institutional staking providers and platforms (MetaMask, Chorus One, Ledger Live, Blockchain.com, NodeSet, Figment, P2P) that deploy white-label Vaults to offer branded staking products to their own users. The StakeWise Boost feature, launched in February 2025, uses osETH as collateral on Aave to amplify staking yields by 1-3 percentage points, and has driven $200M+ in deposits and 100%+ TVL growth in participating Vaults.
The protocol's revenue mechanics operate on two layers: the StakeWise DAO charges a 5% fee on osToken rewards flowing to the DAO Treasury, while individual Vault creators/operators set their own fees (market rate 5-15%) on staking rewards earned within their Vaults. StakeWise monetizes its protocol position through these fees, partner integration of osETH across DeFi (Aave, Compound, Uniswap, Balancer, Curve, EigenLayer), and the SWISE governance token that governs protocol parameters through a 7-member DAO committee.
StakeWise firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- StakeWise
- Legal name
- Creative Tech Free Zone Co.
- Website
- https://stakewise.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- StakeWise is a non-custodial liquid staking protocol on Ethereum and Gnosis Chain enabling permissionless ETH/GNO staking with overcollateralized tokens (osETH/osGNO), customizable Vaults, and a yield amplification feature (Boost), serving retail stakers, institutional node operators, and white-label platforms like MetaMask, Ledger, and Blockchain.com.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
StakeWise industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cryptocurrency Liquid Staking Protocol
- NAICS
- Other Financial Vehicles (525990)
- SIC
- Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Liquid Staking Protocols & Liquid Staking Tokens (LST) (FSADAOAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Staking Infrastructure & Validator Enablement (Middleware, Slashing Protection, MEV Relays) (FSADAHAJ), Staking Pools & Delegation Platforms (FSADAOAJ), Staking-as-a-Service Platforms (Non-Custodial) (FSADAHAF)
Keywords
Where StakeWise is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tallinn
- HQ country
- Estonia
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
StakeWise business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- osToken Protocol Fees: StakeWise DAO charges a 5% fee on the rewards accumulated by osETH and osGNO holders. The fee is continuously applied to the balance of osTokens a user must return to the Vault, meaning the amount of osETH a user must return constantly increases in proportion to the fee. Fees go to the DAO Treasury.
- Vault Creator / Operator Fees: Vault creators set a staking fee (0-100% of rewards, typically 5-15%) on the rewards earned by stakers in their Vault. This fee is automatically deducted from staking rewards when the Vault state is updated and transferred to the Vault's designated fee recipient (typically the Vault operator). Fees can only be increased by 20% at a time with a 3-day delay. Users depositing into Boost produce 6-14x more fees for Vault owners.
- StakeWise Boost Fee Revenue: While StakeWise does not charge a fee for using the Boost feature itself, the increased staking activity generated by Boost positions results in significantly higher Vault fees accruing to Vault operators. Every 1 osETH deposited into Boost results in 5-13 additional ETH staked in the Vault, increasing recurring revenue per deposited ETH for Vault owners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | StakeWise Protocol Fee: 5% on osToken rewards |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Vault Creator Fees: 0-100% of staking rewards (market rate 5-15%) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | StakeWise Boost: No additional fee |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Vault Deployment: Free |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels6 records
StakeWise product offering
Product offeringCore offering
StakeWise is a permissionless, non-custodial liquid staking protocol that enables users to stake any amount of ETH or GNO on Ethereum and Gnosis Chain through customizable Vault smart contracts. Users receive overcollateralized liquid staking tokens (osETH or osGNO) representing their staked assets plus accrued rewards, providing instant liquidity for use across DeFi protocols. The platform combines a self-serve consumer staking product with enterprise-grade white-label staking infrastructure for platforms and institutional node operators.
Product overview
StakeWise is a permissionless, non-custodial liquid staking protocol operating on Ethereum and Gnosis Chain. The platform is built around StakeWise V3, which provides a modular architecture centered on customizable Vaults as individual staking pools. The core products include osETH and osGNO (overcollateralized staked tokens) providing liquid staking utility, StakeWise Boost for yield amplification via Aave integration, and governance via the SWISE token. Developer tools include an SDK and subgraph for application integration. The protocol is secured by a decentralized Oracle network requiring 8-of-11 approvals, and powers staking solutions for institutional platforms and retail wallets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- osETH: Overcollateralized Staked Token (osToken) on Ethereum - a liquid representation of staked ETH that provides instant liquidity while earning staking rewards.
- osGNO
- StakeWise Boost
- Vaults
- SWISE
Products and services
- StakeWise V3 Protocol The core permissionless and non-custodial liquid staking protocol on Ethereum and Gnosis Chain. Enables users to stake any amount of ETH or GNO with customizable Vault options, osToken liquidity, and DeFi integration.
- StakeWise Vaults Isolated, customizable smart contracts functioning as individual staking pools. Vault operators control parameters including fees, MEV strategy, validator operations, and access types (Standard, Private, Blocklist, ERC-20, MetaVault).
- osETH Overcollateralized Staked Token (osToken) on Ethereum representing staked ETH plus accumulated rewards. A repricing ERC-20 token whose value increases over time as staking rewards accrue, providing liquidity while earning staking rewards.
- osGNO Overcollateralized Staked Token for Gnosis Chain representing staked GNO plus accumulated rewards. Provides liquid staking access on Gnosis Chain with DeFi utility.
- StakeWise Boost Yield amplification feature that uses osETH as collateral on Aave to borrow ETH, which is then re-staked to boost APY by 1-3 percentage points. Generates up to 7% APY for users.
- StakeWise SDK and API Software development kit and API enabling developers to integrate StakeWise Vault functionality into their own applications, allowing users to deposit, withdraw, enter/exit Boost, and interact with staking vaults programmatically.
- SWISE Governance Token Governance token of StakeWise DAO enabling holders to vote on protocol parameters, oracle selection, upgrades, fees, and other governance decisions through StakeWise Improvement Proposals (SWIPs).
- Institutional Staking Infrastructure Enterprise-grade staking infrastructure offering customizable Vault deployment with configurable permissions, fees, validator settings, and infrastructure operator selection. Supports institutional requirements including compliance and security.
Quantifiable outcome
- 0 slashing events in 4 years of operation
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use StakeWise
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
StakeWise technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration16 records
Feature6 records
StakeWise partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Chorus OnecoreChorus One launched Opus, a retail staking app powered by StakeWise Vaults, offering pooled staking with optional osETH liquidity. Soon integrated into Ledger Live, enabling broader retail access. Serving ~10,000 users with over 65,000 ETH staked. Chorus One operates its own nodes as the sole operator and implements proprietary MEV-maximizing approach.
- BlockdaemoncoreBlockdaemon announced a strategic investment in StakeWise to develop a liquid staking protocol on Ethereum aimed at financial institutions and tech companies with strict compliance requirements. The new protocol features a permissioned staked ETH token, allowing institutional clients to participate in DeFi while adhering to KYC standards. Testnet launched soon after the announcement. Blockdaemon provides both capital and strategic direction for developing institutional-grade infrastructure.
- MetaMaskcoreMetaMask, one of the world's leading self-custodial crypto wallets, launched its Pooled Staking product powered by StakeWise infrastructure. The solution has attracted over $150M in staked assets from approximately 100,000 users, delivering enterprise-grade control with wallet-native security through MetaMask's global distribution.
- NodeSetcoreNodeSet, a collective of 100+ globally distributed node operators, launched an institutional-grade decentralized staking product powered by a StakeWise Vault. Designed for HNWIs and institutions, NodeSet's private Vault with whitelist combines true validator decentralization with MEV smoothing and optional osETH liquidity. Currently sitting at 32,000 ETH staked.
- LedgermajorLedger Live integrated Chorus One Opus pooled staking (powered by StakeWise), enabling ETH holders to stake through Ledger's familiar, self-custodial hardware wallet interface. Extends StakeWise's reach to Ledger's hardware wallet user base.
- Blockchain.commajorBlockchain.com powers its staking solution using StakeWise Vaults, bringing staking services to its cryptocurrency exchange and wallet user base.
- FigmentminorFigment operates Vaults on StakeWise as a node operator and staking-as-a-service provider, offering institutional-grade infrastructure to its customers.
- P2PminorP2P operates Vaults on StakeWise as a node operator and staking-as-a-service provider.
- SerenitaminorSerenita operates Vaults on StakeWise as a node operator partner.
- AavecoreAave is the lending platform used by StakeWise Boost, where osETH serves as collateral to borrow ETH for leveraged staking. Aave uses StakeWise's native rate feed rather than DEX prices for osETH valuation. Boost has contributed over 50,000 ETH ($150M) in TVL to the Aave protocol.
- EigenLayermajorosETH is integrated with EigenLayer for restaking, allowing users to earn additional yield by restaking their liquid staking tokens. EigenLayer is one of several DeFi protocols where osETH provides liquidity.
- CompoundmajorCompound is a lending protocol where osETH can be used as collateral, providing borrowing capacity for users who want to access liquidity while their stake continues earning rewards.
- UniswapmajorosETH is tradeable on Uniswap, providing liquidity for users to swap or acquire osETH.
- BalancermajorosETH is integrated with Balancer for liquidity pools, enabling users to provide liquidity or swap osETH on the Balancer DEX.
- CurvemajorosETH is integrated with Curve for stable asset swaps and liquidity provision.
- SigmaPrimemajorSigmaPrime conducted security audits of StakeWise's smart contracts and protocol code as part of the $1M+ invested in independent security audits.
- HalbornmajorHalborn conducted security audits of StakeWise's smart contracts and protocol code as part of the $1M+ invested in independent security audits.
- ConsensysmajorConsensys Diligence conducted security audits of StakeWise's smart contracts and protocol code as part of the $1M+ invested in independent security audits.
- ABDKmajorABDK conducted security audits of StakeWise's smart contracts and protocol code as part of the $1M+ invested in independent security audits.
- StateMindmajorStateMind conducted security audits of StakeWise's smart contracts and protocol code as part of the $1M+ invested in independent security audits.
- Gnosis SafeminorGnosis Safe is used for the DAO Treasury multi-signature wallet with a 7-member committee and SafeSnap Module for governance execution.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
StakeWise competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Coinbase: Largest U.S. crypto exchange, issuer of cbETH and operator of one of the largest custodial ETH staking programs. While cbETH is custodial and structurally different from osETH, Coinbase competes for the same staker demand and has unmatched distribution.
- Binance: World's largest crypto exchange by volume, offering ETH staking and wrapped staked ETH products (e.g., WETH, wBETH). Operates staking at scale but as part of a much broader exchange and custody business, with a custodial model distinct from StakeWise.
Direct peers
- Lido Finance: The dominant Ethereum liquid staking protocol issuing stETH, the largest LST by TVL. Lido is StakeWise's principal direct competitor with similar non-custodial architecture ambitions but vastly greater liquidity, integrations, and token-driven governance.
- Rocket Pool: Decentralized Ethereum liquid staking protocol issuing rETH. Rocket Pool competes head-to-head with StakeWise on the non-custodial, decentralized positioning, with a node operator network model analogous to StakeWise's Vault system.
- ether.fi: Liquid staking and restaking protocol on Ethereum issuing eETH. Comparable to StakeWise in combining LST issuance with restaking optionality and operating a node operator / whitelisted model for institutional participants.
- Frax Finance: Issuer of frxETH, a liquid staking token tightly integrated with Frax's stablecoin and Curve ecosystem. Direct competitor on Ethereum LST issuance, with deeper stablecoin-driven DeFi liquidity than StakeWise.
- Ankr: Multi-chain liquid staking and node infrastructure provider issuing ankrETH on Ethereum. Direct competitor in the LST space and overlap with StakeWise's staking-as-a-service offerings for institutional and retail partners.
Emerging players
- Mantle: L2 ecosystem issuing mETH, a liquid staking token from Mantle's ETH staking program. Overlaps with StakeWise as a competing LST with backing from a major exchange ecosystem (Bybit), though focused on L2 liquidity rather than Ethereum mainnet.
- Renzo Protocol: Liquid restaking protocol issuing ezETH on top of EigenLayer. Competes with StakeWise for restaking-driven ETH yield and is integrated across similar DeFi surfaces, though focused specifically on restaking rather than base LST issuance.
- Puffer Finance: Native liquid restaking protocol built on EigenLayer, issuing pufETH. Competes with StakeWise in the restaking layer with a focus on anti-slashing and validator-level security, appealing to a similar institutional-grade audience.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
StakeWise social profiles
Digital presenceStakeWise compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
StakeWise financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
StakeWise leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
StakeWise funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
StakeWise M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about StakeWise
What does StakeWise do?
StakeWise is a permissionless, non-custodial liquid staking protocol that enables users to stake any amount of ETH or GNO on Ethereum and Gnosis Chain through customizable Vault smart contracts. Users receive overcollateralized liquid staking tokens (osETH or osGNO) representing their staked assets plus accrued rewards, providing instant liquidity for use across DeFi protocols. The platform combines a self-serve consumer staking product with enterprise-grade white-label staking infrastructure for platforms and institutional node operators.
Is StakeWise a public or private company?
StakeWise is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was StakeWise founded?
StakeWise was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is StakeWise based?
StakeWise is headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, in the Europe region.
How does StakeWise make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. osToken Protocol Fees are the primary driver. The others are vault Creator / Operator Fees and stakeWise Boost Fee Revenue.
Who are StakeWise's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Coinbase and Binance. Direct peers are Lido Finance, Rocket Pool, ether.fi, Frax Finance and Ankr. Emerging players are Mantle, Renzo Protocol and Puffer Finance.
Does StakeWise have an API?
Yes. StakeWise provides developer tools including an SDK and subgraph for building on the protocol. The SDK allows developers to integrate StakeWise Vault functionality into their own applications, enabling users to deposit, withdraw, and interact with staking vaults. The subgraph provides indexed blockchain data for querying protocol state, rewards, and vault performance. Documentation is available at docs.stakewise.io. Developer documentation is at docs.stakewise.io.
What industry is StakeWise in?
StakeWise's product category is Cryptocurrency Liquid Staking Protocol. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSADAOAL, Liquid Staking Protocols & Liquid Staking Tokens (LST), with a secondary code of FSADAHAJ, Staking Infrastructure & Validator Enablement (Middleware, Slashing Protection, MEV Relays). Its NAICS code is 525990 and its SIC code is 6200.