Vitalik Buterin envisions an ETH staking solution with just "one click" for organizations

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently revealed that the Ethereum Foundation has implemented a simplified distributed validator technology called DVT-lite to perform staking of 72,000 ETH in February. According to him, this technology has great potential to help organizations stake more easily and efficiently.

“My hope with this project is to make distributed staking for organizations a one-click process,” Buterin shared on X platform on Monday.

DVT-lite: Simplified solution for distributed staking

Buterin explained that with DVT-lite, users can choose a computer to run nodes, create a shared configuration file using the same key, and then the system will automatically set everything up.

DVT-lite is designed as a simplified version of Distributed Validator Technology (DVT), aimed at supporting easier deployment, especially suitable for organizations or semi-professional entities wanting to participate in Ethereum staking.

In traditional solo staking, the entire process is performed on a single computer. This poses a risk of slashing (penalty) if the computer crashes, loses internet connection, or is attacked. Meanwhile, full DVT technology distributes secret keys across multiple computers that continuously communicate, ensuring high security but requiring complex configuration.

DVT-lite, on the other hand, uses a shared validation key across multiple computers. This ensures that if one computer encounters issues, others can quickly take over, minimizing downtime and the risk of penalties.

The Ethereum Foundation officially adopted this technology from late February to deploy its staking program. Currently, these assets are in the validator queue and are scheduled to be staked on March 19.

Moving toward “one-click” staking for organizations

Buterin emphasized that operating staking infrastructure should not be a complicated process requiring technical expertise. He believes this is a “bad concept that goes against the decentralized nature of Ethereum.”

He proposed developing tools like “docker container” or “nix image” to automate the staking process, allowing users to do it with just one click or a simple command on each node.

Buterin also expressed his personal intention to soon use DVT-lite and hopes more ETH-holding organizations will adopt this staking method.

“We want to make the control of staking nodes widely distributed. The first step to achieve this is to make staking easier,” Buterin said.

In January, he suggested integrating native DVT technology directly into the Ethereum network. This would allow users to stake without fully relying on a single node.

ETH staking demand remains high despite price declines

Despite the crypto market downturn, demand for ETH staking remains high.

According to ValidatorQueue data, about 3.2 million ETH are in the validator queue, with a waiting time of up to 55 days. Meanwhile, only around 29,000 ETH are in the exit queue, with a wait time of just 12 hours.

In total, 37.5 million ETH are being staked, worth approximately $76.5 billion at current prices. This is comparable to the market capitalization of major companies like DoorDash or Motorola, accounting for about 31% of the total ETH supply.

DVT-lite technology and initiatives like Ethereum Foundation’s “one-click staking” promise to be breakthroughs in encouraging organizational participation, thereby significantly increasing the network’s decentralization and security.