What Is SSV.network (SSV)?

SSV.network is a fully decentralized open Ethereum staking network. The network provides an open architecture for anyone who wants to run an Ethereum validator; from individual users to staking pools and large institutional staking services. SSV.network addresses the main concerns faced with Ethereum staking which include:

• Custody and management of private keys 

• Liveliness and redundancy

• Single point of failure 

• Security and encryption

• Decentralization and governance 

As the whitepaper states, stakers/validators, operators, and DAO (decentralized organization) members are the three fundamental foundations of the SSV Network. The operators in the SSV.network form the backbone of the decentralized staking ecosystem, allowing stakers to join the network. Apart from this, operators and stakers can play a dual function, staking ETH while supporting other users with their stake management. Anyone can join the DAO and play an important part in the network's governance. 

The first secure and robust mechanism to split a validator key for ETH staking between non-trusting nodes, or operators, is with Secret Shared Validators (SSV). The protocol allows for the control and functioning of an Ethereum validator to be distributed. The key is split so that no operator has to rely on the other to function and no operator can take control of the network arbitrarily. Decentralization, fault tolerance, and security for Ethereum staking are the results.

Furthermore, SSV is the native token of the platform. The token serves as the link between the community and the SSV ecosystem. SSV's two key use cases are payments and governance. 

Stakers who use the SSV.network platform pay operators in SSV. Each participating network operator can set its price point and compete with others. In exchange for a proportion of fees collected by operators going to the DAO treasury, the DAO decides on the percent payout in an open vote. Fundamentally, the more ETH traded in the network, the more fees operators and the DAO's treasury seek to receive. The DAO's treasury aims to promote the network's growth and development initiatives, seeking to result in a virtuous cycle of ETH inflows and SSV revenue.