Lido (@LidoFinance): February 2026 Validator Set Highlights

February 2026 Validator Set Highlights Curious about what's happening inside the Lido validator set? February brought progress across several fronts: the completion of the Lido V3 rollout with Phase 3, new tooling for builders through the DeFi Wrapper launch, preps for the Curated Module v2 migration and APMs testing. Alongside protocol upgrades, Lido contributors also proposed an important EIP aimed at improving 0x02 validator reward withdrawal. This article covers only the key highlights (reading time ~2 minutes). Lido Node Operators are encouraged to explore the full February Update on the Node Operator Portal for deeper context, technical details, and useful links. February Highlights Staking Module: End of February Curated Module v2 Migration The Hoodi testnet phase of the Curated Module v2 (CMv2) migration has been shifted to early April, giving contributors and operators additional time to finalize preparations ahead of testing. The overall migration plan remains unchanged, and demo calls will soon be scheduled to walk Curated Node Operators through the migration flow and ensure a smooth mainnet transition. New Auxiliary Proposer Mechanisms Testing Testing of @primev_xyz mev-commit on the Hoodi has concluded, proving to be operationally stable and technically compatible with the Lido validator set. Based on the testnet results, the Auxiliary Proposer Mechanisms (APM) Committee recommends adding it to the APM Allow List. An official testing phase for @ETHGasOfficial sidecar will open soon. Curated validators on Hoodi participating in the ETHGas exchange will be able to operate with any relay in their PBS configuration. This update reflects a key protocol requirement: operators must remain free to use any relay on the APM Allow List, rather than being limited to a single relay provider. Lido V3 Phase 3 Live Following a staged rollout, Phase 3 of Lido V3 is now live on Ethereum mainnet, completing the protocol upgrade. This phase unlocks permissionless stETH minting for all stVaults, expanding expanding the capabilities of the Lido modular staking infrastructure. To support early adopters during the current long entry queue, vaults run by Identified Node Operators that exceed 250 ETH remain eligible for the 0% stVaults Lido Infrastructure Fee until March 31. DeFi Wrapper On Mainnet The DeFi Wrapper — a no-/low-code toolkit that allows builders, Node Operators, and platforms to launch customized user-facing staking products powered by stVaults — is now live on mainnet. These products can integrate optional automated APR-boosting strategies, such as leverage loops or other stETH-based modules. Learn more and explore the docs on how to get started in the February Update. EIP-8148: Custom Sweep Threshold for Validators Currently, 0x02 validators receive rewards to their withdrawal address only once their balance reaches 2048 ETH — a threshold that may take a long time to reach for many operators. EIP-8148, proposed by Lido contributors, introduces the ability for these validators to set a custom reward sweep limit. If adopted, it would give validators greater flexibility and control over staking reward distribution, as well as make the transition to 0x02 credentials more practical for a broader set of Node Operators. Community Lifeguards Initiative Reform After two years of supporting community stakers growth across the Lido validator set and the broader Ethereum ecosystem, the Community Lifeguards Initiative (CLI) is proposed to transition into a lightweight grant-focused committee. The quarterly budget would decrease from $197K to $50K, dedicated exclusively to community grants, while ongoing responsibilities shift into broader contributor efforts. More details in the February Update. Lido Day in Cannes Join Lido contributors in Cannes during EthCC week on March 31 for Lido Day, a full-day program bringing together Lido core contributors, Node Operators, builders, and institutional teams to discuss the next phase of the Lido roadmap and the future of Ethereum staking. See details and RSVP to secure your spot — space is limited. All Validator Set Updates in One Place Explore previous Monthly Validator Set Updates on the Node Operator Portal. Stay informed. Stay aligned. Keep securing Ethereum together.