Marinade (MNDE) is a staking protocol built on the Solana blockchain. It provides users with the ability to stake their SOL tokens using an automated strategy developed by the Marinade core team. Users have the option to stake natively or liquid stake to a pool of selected Solana validators. When opting for liquid staking, users receive an equivalent value of "marinated SOL" tokens (mSOL) that can be utilized in decentralized finance (DeFi). The protocol also gives users the opportunity to tokenize their existing stake, converting it to mSOL for liquidity. The MNDE token allows holders to participate in the protocol's governance, influencing decisions such as the DAO's fees, treasury, and validator selection.

Marinade operates by enabling users to stake their SOL tokens using an automated strategy. When a user stakes their SOL tokens, they are contributing to the security and decentralization of the Solana network. In return, they receive compensation in SOL. Users can choose to stake natively or liquid stake. When liquid staking, users receive an equivalent value of "marinated SOL" tokens (mSOL) that can be utilized in DeFi. The price of mSOL increases relative to SOL each epoch with Solana inflation rewards being accrued into the underlying staked SOL in the Marinade stake pool. Users can also tokenize their existing stake, converting it to mSOL for liquidity.

Marinade strives to provide users with the ability to stake their SOL tokens in a manner that contributes to the decentralization of the Solana network. This helps to secure the Solana network and contributes to its decentralization. Users can stake natively or liquid stake, receiving mSOL tokens that can be utilized in DeFi. This allows users to continue participating in DeFi activities while still enjoying the benefits of staking. Additionally, the MNDE token allows holders to participate in the protocol's governance, influencing decisions such as the DAO's fees, treasury, and validator selection.

Marinade was established through Solana ecosystem grants at the Solana Hackathon in 2021 and launched its liquid staking protocol and mSOL liquid staking token on mainnet in August of the same year. The MNDE governance token was minted on November 7, 2021, as a fair-launch token with no ICO (Initial Coin Offering). Marinade has implemented on-chain DAO governance. Since then, all decisions related to the treasury have been voted on chain. In July 2023, The DAO migrated its governance platform to Realms, enabling direct control of the treasury and protocol decisions by MNDE holders.