Rocket Pool (RPL)

Staking Access

Rocket Pool allows users to stake Ethereum (ETH) with a much lower minimum than usual—only 0.01 ETH instead of 32 ETH. This makes staking more accessible to people who don’t have a lot of ETH or technical skills.

Liquid Staking

When users stake ETH through Rocket Pool, they receive a token called rETH. This token represents their staked ETH plus rewards and can be used in other decentralized finance (DeFi) apps, keeping their funds liquid and flexible.

Node Operation

Users can also become node operators by staking 16 ETH and providing RPL tokens as collateral. Node operators help secure the network and earn commissions and extra rewards for their service.

Governance and Collateral

The RPL token is used for governance, letting holders vote on protocol decisions. It also acts as collateral for node operators to protect the network if penalties occur.

Decentralization and Community

Rocket Pool is a decentralized, community-owned protocol that aims to make Ethereum staking trustless and open to everyone, reducing barriers like high costs and technical complexity.

Pros of Rocket Pool

• Low Entry Barrier: Allows staking with as little as 0.01 ETH, much lower than the usual 32 ETH required for solo staking.
• Decentralized & Non-Custodial: Users keep control of their ETH; Rocket Pool uses smart contracts to manage staking without needing a middleman.
• Liquid Staking: Users receive rETH tokens that represent staked ETH plus rewards, which can be traded or used in DeFi, keeping funds flexible.
• Node Operator Rewards: Running a node can earn extra rewards from fees and Rocket Pool tokens (RPL).
• Shared Risk: Losses from bad nodes are spread across the network, reducing individual penalties.
• Open Source & Audited: Smart contracts are open and have been audited by multiple firms, supporting transparency.
• Community Governance: Protocol decisions are managed by DAOs, involving token holders and node operators.

Cons of Rocket Pool

• Technical Setup for Nodes: Running a node requires some technical knowledge and maintaining uptime.
• Smart Contract Risks: Despite audits, there is always a small chance of bugs or vulnerabilities.
• Tax Considerations: Swapping ETH for rETH or RPL tokens may have tax implications depending on your country.
• Slight Complexity: Updates and managing nodes can become complicated for less technical users.
• Partial Lockup: Staked ETH is locked until Ethereum phases allow withdrawals, so funds are not instantly accessible.

For more details, visit the official Rocket Pool website at rocketpool.net.

Founders

Rocket Pool was founded by David Rugendyke. He is the CTO and the main person behind the project.

About David Rugendyke

David Rugendyke is a senior Ethereum developer and has been leading Rocket Pool since its creation in 2017.

No other founders are publicly listed for Rocket Pool.

Investors in Rocket Pool

Rocket Pool has raised funding through multiple rounds, with key investors including ConsenSys Mesh, 1kx, Tachyon, and Coinbase Ventures. These investors have supported Rocket Pool's development as a decentralized Ethereum staking protocol. The project was founded by David Rugendyke in 2017 and has attracted institutional and venture capital backing focused on Ethereum infrastructure and staking solutions.

Halal Status of Rocket Pool

Yes, Rocket Pool is generally considered halal because it is a decentralized Ethereum staking protocol that involves earning rewards from staking ETH, which is viewed similarly to owning and using a digital asset like Ethereum. It does not inherently involve interest (riba) or prohibited activities, making it acceptable under Islamic finance principles.

For more detailed personal guidance, consulting a qualified Islamic finance scholar is recommended.