KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Identified Community Staker (ICS) application is now live, allowing operators to identify themselves and unlock enhanced parameters.
- The Community Staking Module (CSM) remains fully permissionless, encouraging participation from home and community stakers.
- ICS applicants are evaluated through a score-based system, emphasizing ecosystem-driven proofs and identity verification.
- ICS participants will benefit from tailored conditions, including better rewards and priority access, with the first review round concluding on October 1.
The Identified Community Staker (ICS) application is now live on the mainnet, offering a new mechanism for operators to identify themselves as individuals. While the Community Staking Module (CSM) has not yet been upgraded to version 2, both existing operators and aspiring CSM participants can begin submitting applications here. This application allows those who qualify as ICS and run validators using CSM to unlock enhanced parameters compared to general permissionless operators.
Importantly, the CSM remains fully permissionless, meaning anyone can participate without applying as an ICS. This development aims to pave the way for home stakers, as the CSM has seen strong demand since becoming fully permissionless in January, with 450 operators registered. The primary goal of CSM is to empower home and community stakers by bringing new, independent participants into Ethereum staking.
ICS: How It Works
The ICS application is based on the Community Stakers Identification Framework, which introduces a score-based system for operators to identify themselves. Applicants are scored based on three broad categories, each with various proof sources contributing to the total score. To qualify, an applicant must meet the minimum threshold in each category and achieve a total combined score of at least 15. For a detailed breakdown of proof types and scoring, refer to the Extended Framework.
The evaluation framework emphasizes ecosystem-driven proofs, with Human Passport being one of the Proof-of-Humanity sources used. This identity verification application allows users to collect verifiable credentials, or Stamps, that prove their unique humanity without exposing personal information. A custom interface is provided for applicants to view their Unique Humanity Score according to an ICS-specific weighting model.
Benefits and Next Steps
According to the DAO-approved CSM v2 fee structure, ICS participants will enjoy tailored conditions aimed at benefiting Community Stakers. These include better rewards, lower bonds, and priority access. The application process involves four main steps, and the first review round will conclude on October 1. Following this, the CSM committee, together with Lido contributors, will nominate the addresses associated with approved applications and execute on-chain updates to the ICS list via the Easy Track governance mechanism around October 8.
The full CSM v2 upgrade, which includes an increase in the CSM share limit to 5%, is imminent. Submitting applications now offers the opportunity for approval in the first review round, positioning applicants to access ICS-specific benefits after the upgrade.
Why This Matters: Impact, Industry Trends & Expert Insights
The Identified Community Staker (ICS) application has been launched on the mainnet, allowing operators to identify themselves as individuals and unlock enhanced parameters compared to general permissionless operators. This initiative is significant as it aims to empower home and community stakers, promoting decentralization within the Ethereum network.
Recent industry reports indicate that Ethereum staking adoption has grown significantly, with over 1.04 million active validators and approximately 30.2 million ETH staked. This aligns with the ICS launch as it further encourages diverse community participation in Ethereum staking.
As per insights from the SEC’s May 2025 guidance, many crypto staking services, including ICS, are not considered securities. This regulatory clarity supports wider decentralized participation, reinforcing the ICS framework’s potential impact on the Ethereum staking landscape.
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