How Ethereum Staking Works After the Merge
Proof-of-stake replaced mining in 2022. Here is how validators, rewards and withdrawals actually function today.
Since The Merge, Ethereum secures itself through proof-of-stake: validators lock up ETH as collateral and are rewarded for proposing and attesting to blocks. Running a solo validator requires 32 ETH, but staking pools and liquid-staking tokens let smaller holders participate.
Rewards come from issuance plus priority fees, while misbehaviour can be “slashed.” Withdrawals are now enabled, removing the lock-up uncertainty that defined early staking. The trade-off every staker weighs is yield versus the smart-contract and centralization risks of pooled solutions.
This article is for information only and is not financial advice. Always do your own research before investing in crypto assets.
Written by
Aisha Chen
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