Lido
LDO
What
Lido is an open source tool and family of protocols that enables users to mint liquid staking tokens (sTokens) - These liquid staking tokens receive rewards from validation activities of writing data to the blockchain, but unlike their staked counterparts, are "unlocked" which means they can be used in other on-chain activities, like DeFi.
Lido protocols let users stake native tokens (ETH, MATIC, SOL) from Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana networks in a fully permissionless way. And as the protocols are deployed on public blockchains, users do not need the website to access the smart contracts.
Why
Traditional staking means that users need to lock-up their ETH or other native asset to be able to secure the network and receive the respective rewards. However, this means that these tokens can't be used for anything else while they are staked. Lido aims to solve this problem.
Lido protocols give users liquidity - users are able to receive staking rewards from validation activities, but can sell their stTokens (tokens minted on Lido) anytime they want to exit their staking position.
In addition, it allows users to participate in DeFi while getting rewards - Because sTokens are unstaked and thus "liquid", users can use stTokens as building blocks in DeFi protocols at the same time as getting staking rewards from validating activities.
The Lido DAO also works with experienced node operators, which decreases the likelihood of technical mistakes that could lead to slashing or penalties and minimizes the technical burden for users to receive staking rewards. Users supply the stake, and the node operators supply the know-how.
Audits
Hexens
Hexens is a cybersecurity consulting firm specializing in blockchain and DeFi projects. They offer a wide range of services, including smart contract audits, security advisory, and penetration testing, aiming to secure digital assets and data with a novel approach. Hexens is trusted by well-known organizations within the crypto space.
Mixbytes
MixBytes is a team of experienced developers providing top-notch blockchain solutions, smart contract security audits and tech advisory.
ChainSecurity
ChainSecurity, operational since 2017, is renowned for conducting smart contract audits, especially for high-profile DeFi protocols and Web3 projects. Their approach involves extensive quality assurance and in-depth investigations to uncover novel vulnerabilities, making them specialists in auditing complex and high-stakes smart contracts. Their client base includes notable names in the crypto space, underscoring their expertise and trustworthiness in ensuring blockchain security.
Funded by
a16z Crypto
a16z crypto is a venture capital fund that invests in crypto and web3 startups.
eGirl Capital 仙女資本
Driving deprofessionalism.
Multicoin Capital
Thesis driven investors that make long-term, high-conviction investments in category defining crypto companies and protocols across public and private markets.
Standard Crypto
Standard Crypto is a venture capital firm focusing on the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. They partner with entrepreneurs and communities to build the future of the internet, marketplaces, and money through blockchain technology. With a belief in the transformative power of crypto and a long-term perspective, Standard Crypto supports projects from their earliest stages, bringing deep technical expertise and a hands-on approach to company building in the crypto ecosystem.
Wintermute
Wintermute is a market maker and algorithmic trading firm specializing in digital asset markets. They provide OTC services for spot and derivatives over 200 digital assets. The company also offers liquidity provision services, with support all major exchanges and pairs, covering centralized and decentralized exchanges and trading platforms. Their counterparties include funds, brokers, family offices, blockchain projects, OTC desks and other institutions, as well as qualified individuals. Wintermute also offers NODE, an OTC trading platform for institutions and qualified individual investors that delivers competitive proprietary prices and zero-fee execution across a large range of digital assets. **Why:** Wintermute was established with a mission to enable, empower, and advance the truly decentralized world, striving for more transparent, fair, and efficient markets and financial products. The company collaborates with numerous projects, particularly those aiming for listings on top-tier exchanges. Wintermute is committed to long-term partnerships, especially with projects contributing to the evolution of the blockchain ecosystem. Instead of being only token traders, Wintermute extends its support to projects by offering comprehensive guidance on various aspects of liquidity. The company also has an in-house DeFi team, actively engages with projects and provides assistance, such as facilitating token bridges from other chains to Ethereum. **Risks:** While Wintermute's focus on transparency and long-term partnerships minimizes certain risks, users engaging with algorithmic trading firms should be aware of the inherent volatility and unpredictability associated with digital asset markets. Additionally, the success of projects partnered with Wintermute may still be subject to market fluctuations, regulatory changes, and other external factors that are beyond the company's control. **Benefits:** Wintermute offers several potential benefits to its users. These include kickstarting liquidity on platforms, actively testing and using products, providing liquidity for tokens on both decentralized (DEX) and centralized (CEX) exchanges, supporting over-the-counter (OTC) transactions, and assisting with treasury management. The company's commitment to co-building and advising projects further enhances the value it brings to its partners, through a collaborative and supportive approach
Governance discussion
Integrations
Vyper
Vyper is a contract-oriented, pythonic programming language that targets the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). ## Principles and Goals Security: It should be possible and natural to build secure smart-contracts in Vyper. Language and compiler simplicity: The language and the compiler implementation should strive to be simple. Auditability: Vyper code should be maximally human-readable. Furthermore, it should be maximally difficult to write misleading code. Simplicity for the reader is more important than simplicity for the writer, and simplicity for readers with low prior experience with Vyper (and low prior experience with programming in general) is particularly important.