What Is Lido DAO (LDO)?
Lido DAO is a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) which provides staking infrastructure for multiple blockchain networks.
Most notably, the platform provides a liquid staking solution for Ethereum, allowing users to stake their ETH and receive stETH (Lido staked ETH) tokens in exchange, which represent the user's staked ETH and staking rewards.
Lido DAO is secured by a mix of decentralized governance, audited code and smart contracts. The Lido protocol runs on Ethereum with help from smart contracts that process user deposits and distribute staking rewards, among other functions. Several third-party security firms have audited Lido’s smart contracts in order to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
The platform’s native token is LDO - which also serves as the governance token for Lido DAO. Holders can participate in governance proposals and vote on key decisions such as board adjustments, new integrations and platform updates. LDO holders have the right to determine the development and operation of the platform.
Lido currently supports staking for Ethereum and Polygon only with the recent sunsetting of Solana.
Who Are the Founders of Lido DAO?
Lido was established by Konstantin Lomashuk, Vasiliy Shapovalov and Jordan Fish in 2020. The organization was helped to launch by a collective of financial firms and angel investors.
The finance firms include Semantic VC, ParaFi Capital, Libertus Capital, Bitscale Capital, StakeFish, StakingFacilities, Chorus, P2P Capital and KR1.
The handful of angel investors who also helped Lido get off the ground include Stani Kulechov of Aave, Banteg of Yearn, Will Harborne of Deversifi, Julien Bouteloup of Stake Capital and Kain Warwick of Synthetix.
What Makes Lido DAO Unique?
Lido aims to make staking more accessible to a wider range of users by pooling staked ETH from multiple users, which negates the need for any technical expertise on behalf of users. Users also don’t need to commit a minimum amount of 32 ETH to run their own validator, which lets more people stake their ETH.
Lido Liquid Staking V2, or Lido V2, is the latest major release of the Lido DAO protocol. It was designed to provide a more efficient and versatile staking solution for Ethereum 2.0.
One of Lido V2’s key features is its "Liquid Staking" model, which allows users to deposit ETH into the Lido pool and receive stETH (staked ETH) tokens in return. These tokens can be traded on secondary markets or used on “LSDFi” protocols, providing users with a more liquid form of staked ETH that can be used for other purposes.
Overall, the Lido DAO network is a robust and secure system that enables users to participate in governance and earn rewards while helping the network to stay secure.
How Many Lido DAO (LDO) Coins Are There in Circulation?
As of June 2023, the total circulating supply of Lido DAO tokens is 879,588,042 LDO, around 88% of the total supply. The max supply is 1,000,000,000 LDO.
Looking at the tokenomics of LDO, the allocation of these tokens is as follows:
DAO treasury — 36.32%
Investors — 22.18%
Validators and signature holders — 6.5%
Initial Lido developers — 20%
Founders and future employees — 15%
How Is the Lido DAO Network Secured?
Funds are secured within a smart contract, making them inaccessible to validators. Subsequently, LDO token holders vote in the Lido DAO to vet, select and onboard new node operators, and penalize existing ones slashed by chain rules.
Lido also has a $2,000,000 bug bounty program with the Immunefi platform, a leading DeFi bug bounty program. Lido Bug Bounty programs focus on avoiding user fund losses, denial of service, governance takeovers, data breaches and data leaks. Lido has already awarded $250,000 for 7 Bug Bounties.
Where Can You Buy Lido DAO (LDO)?
Lido DAO (LDO) is available for purchase on major cryptocurrency exchanges including Binance, Coinbase, KuCoin, Kraken and more.
Related Pages:
Read about Ethereum (ETH) Solana (SOL), Polygon (MATIC), Polkadot (POL), and Kusama (KSM) — the chains that Lido supports.
What is staking? Learn more with the CMC glossary.
Check out our guide to the DAO ecosystem.
New to crypto? Check out CoinMarketCap's educational portal to get the latest news and insights.
What is Blockchain?
Blockchain is a decentralized and distributed ledger technology that securely records transactions across multiple computers in a verifiable and permanent way. It forms the underlying technology for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and enables transparency, security, and immutability.
What is Cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual form of currency that uses cryptography for security. It operates on decentralized networks, typically based on blockchain technology, and facilitates secure and transparent peer-to-peer transactions.
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by an anonymous person or group known as Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a decentralized peer-to-peer network and is used for secure, transparent, and censorship-resistant transactions.
What is the difference between Bitcoin and Altcoins?
Bitcoin is the original and most widely recognized cryptocurrency, while altcoins refer to any other cryptocurrencies besides Bitcoin. Examples of altcoins include Ethereum, Ripple (XRP), Litecoin (LTC), and many others.
What is Staking?
Staking involves participants locking up a certain amount of cryptocurrency in a wallet to support the operations of a blockchain network. It is commonly associated with proof-of-stake (PoS) and delegated proof-of-stake (DPoS) consensus mechanisms, where participants receive rewards for helping secure the network.
How Can I Stake Cryptocurrency?
To stake cryptocurrency, you typically need to choose a platform or network that supports staking. Transfer your tokens to a compatible wallet, follow the staking instructions provided by the platform, and lock up the desired amount of cryptocurrency. Once staked, you may start earning rewards.
What Are Staking Rewards and How Are They Calculated?
Staking rewards are incentives provided to participants who lock up their cryptocurrency to support the network. The amount of rewards varies and is influenced by factors such as the network's inflation rate, the total amount staked, and the specific rules of the staking protocol.
Can I Unstake My Cryptocurrency at Any Time?
The ability to unstake and withdraw your cryptocurrency depends on the specific staking protocol and network. Some platforms may have lock-up periods or unbonding periods during which your staked tokens are inaccessible. Always check the terms and conditions of the staking service.
What are the Risks of Staking?
Staking comes with risks, including the potential loss of staked funds if a participant behaves maliciously or fails to fulfill their responsibilities. Market volatility can also impact the value of staked tokens. It's crucial to thoroughly research the staking protocol and understand the associated risks.
Can I Lose Money by Staking?
While staking is designed to be a rewarding activity, there is a risk of losing money, especially if the value of the staked cryptocurrency decreases or if the staking protocol encounters security issues. It's important to consider both the potential rewards and risks before participating in staking.