Obol

Obol is a DVT (Distributed Validator Technology) solution which enables a group of nodes to perform the duties of a single validator collectively – such as proposing and attesting blocks and participating in consensus. DVT reduces the risks associated with having a single point of failure in traditional validator setups and enhances the stability and resilience of validator operations. This technology is particularly focused on the Ethereum blockchain but is designed with the potential to be applied to other public blockchain networks as well. In a DVT system, such as Obol, validator duties are distributed across a cluster of nodes. The validator remains operational as long as at least two-thirds (66.6%) of the nodes in the cluster are functioning. Obol utilizes a middleware implementation, Charon, to facilitate the operation of these distributed validator clusters while preserving the existing client and remote signing infrastructure of validators. This enables the possibility of offering diversity within clusters and increasing resilience by reducing client-specific risks, as validators can run any of their preferred ETH execution and consensus clients. The Obol Network is built upon four foundational public goods: • The Distributed Validator Launchpad: This interface simplifies setting up Distributed Validators. • Charon: Acting as a middleware client, Charon ensures validators operate reliably in a distributed setup, enhancing fault tolerance. • Obol Splits: These are Solidity smart contracts enabling fair reward distribution among Distributed Validators. • Obol Testnets: Providing a distributed validator framework for Ethereum's public test networks. These allow operators to evaluate their setups before launching Distributed Validators on the mainnet. Obol is seen as a foundational technology for scaling consensus mechanisms and preserving decentralization on the Ethereum blockchain. Obol clusters can be multi-organization or even be operated by a single entity. Stakin has been working on implementing Obol technology on Ethereum since early Testnets. We can operate clusters with other trusted node operator partners or set up our own geographically distributed clusters. For detailed information, partnership inquiries, and to know more about how DVT can benefit your staking activities, institutions, and Liquid Staking Services are invited to reach out directly at institutional[at]stakin.com