# SSV Network (SSV Labs, SSV DAO)

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/companies/ssv-network
SSV Network runs Ethereum validators across several independent operators: each validator key is split into shares so no single machine or company can sign alone, and the validator stays online if one operator fails.

## In brief

- Secures ~7.4M ETH across ~118,000 validators and ~1,900 operators (Apr 2026), the largest DVT network.
- One of two distributed-validator providers in Lido's Simple DVT module.
- Fees moved from the SSV token to ETH with the April 2026 staking upgrade.

## Facts

- Headquarters: IL
- Status: private
- Website: https://ssv.network
- Frontiers: [Crypto](https://technooptimist.io/crypto.md) (Staking & block building)

## Programs

- [SSV distributed validators](https://technooptimist.io/crypto/ssv-dvt.md) (Crypto): Scaling; next: Permissionless, stake-weighted oracle selection. ~7.4M ETH on ~118,000 validators (Apr 2026); ETH-paid fees and SSV staking live since Apr 29, 2026.

## Technical approach

- **Key shares: No operator holds the whole key**: A validator key is split with Shamir secret sharing into shares, each encrypted to one operator.
- **Consensus: Operators agree before signing**: Operators run a BFT consensus (QBFT) for every duty; a 4-operator cluster keeps working with one operator down.
- **Open market: Choose your operators**: Stakers pick operators by location, client software or performance, and pay them per validator.

## Open problems

- **Permissioned oracles** (open): Balance oracles are run by four DAO-elected operators (Kraken, InfStones, Ethernodes, SSV Labs) until stake-weighted selection arrives.

## Latest updates

- **29 Apr 2026**: SSV launches token staking and moves fees to ETH; network secures about 7.4M ETH. SSV holders can now stake SSV for cSSV and earn ETH from network fees and from running Effective Balance Oracles. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/ssv-launches-token-staking-and-moves-fees-to-eth-network-secures-about-b05e862a.md) · [original source](https://www.theblock.co/post/399378/ssv-staking-launches-connecting-ssv-holders-to-ethereums-largest-distributed-validator-network))
- **16 Apr 2024**: Lido's Simple DVT module, built on Obol and SSV distributed validators, opens Lido to solo and community stakers. Approved by an on-chain vote in February 2024, Simple DVT is Lido's second staking module and the first that lets solo and community stakers run Lido validators, in clusters using distributed validator technology from Obol and SSV. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/lido-s-simple-dvt-module-built-on-obol-and-ssv-distributed-validators-525aa1af.md) · [original source](https://blog.lido.fi/simpledvt-new-phase-for-lido-on-ethereum/))
- **14 Sep 2023**: SSV.network launches mainnet after two years of testnets, bringing distributed validators to Ethereum. SSV's mainnet lets a group of node operators act together as one Ethereum validator, governed by smart contracts. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/ssv-network-launches-mainnet-after-two-years-of-testnets-bringing-39184d13.md) · [original source](https://tipranks.com/news/article/ssv-networks-mainnet-launch-simplifying-decentralized-ethereum-staking))

## Partners, customers and investors

- Lido (customer): Uses SSV and Obol clusters in its Simple DVT staking module (approved Feb 2024).
- Kraken (partner): One of four DAO-elected Effective Balance Oracle operators (2026).
- Ethereum Foundation (partner): Funded SSV with a grant in 2021 and collaborated on distributed validator tech.

## People

- Alon Muroch, SSV protocol lead (at 2023 mainnet launch)

---

The Techno Optimist tracks every frontier of technology, program by program: https://technooptimist.io/ (a Markdown version of any page: add .md to its URL; site map for agents: https://technooptimist.io/llms.txt).
Data API (JSON, realtime stream): https://technooptimist.io/developers. People read 5 pages free, then Reader $10/month; these Markdown pages are open to agents.