Lido has recently introduced the Identified Community Staker (ICS) program on the Ethereum mainnet, offering a verification track that prioritizes individuals in the protocol’s Community Staking Module. The program utilizes a points system based on experience, engagement, and humanity, with applicants needing to meet specific criteria and accumulate at least 15 points to qualify.
The initiative aims to shift the capacity of the Community Staking Module towards independent operators following a surge in registrations earlier this year. With approximately 450 operators signing up after the permissionless launch in January, smaller setups found it challenging to deposit validator keys. Approved ICS applicants gain access to exclusive benefits in CSM v2, including a 6% reward share on the first 16 keys, a 1.5 ETH bond for the first key, priority deposits for the first 10 keys, and wider acceptable performance ranges compared to the default permissionless track.
The application process for ICS is based on an identification framework that leverages ecosystem data. Proof of experience can be demonstrated through participation in various staking programs, while engagement metrics are measured using HighSignal metrics and verified contributions. Proof of humanity is also required, with verification through Human Passport and Circles, which is converted into ICS points to determine eligibility.
While CSM remains permissionless, participation in the ICS program offers additional benefits for verified individuals. Applications are currently open, with the first review round closing on October 1. Approved addresses will be nominated to the on-chain ICS list through Easy Track governance around October 8. The launch coincides with the upcoming CSM v2 upgrade, which will increase the community staking share limit to 5%, providing more opportunities for community stakers while maintaining an open system for all operators.
Lido emphasizes the significance of the ICS program in directing early deposits and fee shares to independent operators, reducing sybil risk through external proofs and credential-based checks. The first list update and the v2 cutover will determine how quickly ICS operators will benefit from priority queue deposits, followed by fee share and bond changes for initial keys.
Overall, the ICS program offers a pathway for verified individuals to operate validators under specific parameters, ensuring a fair and transparent process for community stakers in the Ethereum ecosystem.