Institutions Gain Access to Ethereum Staking Without the Need for Lockup

Hex Trust, a prominent digital asset custodian, has broadened its institutional offerings to now include both custody and staking features for stETH, the most widely used liquid staking token on the

This development marks a key milestone for institutional involvement in liquid staking. stETH, which is issued via the Lido protocol, lets investors collect staking rewards without having to lock up assets in a non-liquid format. Kean Gilbert, who leads Institutional Relations at the Lido Ecosystem Foundation, noted that their collaboration with Hex Trust reflects a rising wave of institutional engagement in Ethereum staking, offering custodians, fund managers, and ETF providers a clear and safe approach to earning staking rewards.

The Hex Trust platform merges top-tier security with the benefits of liquid staking by utilizing multi-party computation (MPC) technology and cold storage methods. This setup ensures that stETH—widely used for lending, trading, and as collateral in numerous financial applications—can be securely managed, eliminating the need for institutions to maintain their own validator nodes. Additionally, the platform is equipped with comprehensive compliance systems, making it ideal for institutional users who prioritize strong security and regulatory standards.

Calvin Shen, Hex Trust’s Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted that this integration directly tackles the main concerns of institutional investors: operational efficiency and robust security. He pointed out that by removing the operational hurdles and risks tied to running validator infrastructure, Hex Trust allows institutions to direct their focus toward optimizing their investment portfolios, with less attention needed for infrastructure. The platform also lets clients participate in DeFi opportunities such as lending, collateral management, and restaking, all while maintaining access to liquidity.

The institutional embrace of stETH signals broader changes for the digital asset world. As more institutions turn to liquid staking, the market is set to benefit from increased liquidity in staking pools, greater confidence in DeFi systems, and continued progress in custody and staking technologies. This trend is especially significant as the crypto sector evolves and traditional

By adding stETH to its suite of services, Hex Trust is strategically positioning itself to connect traditional finance with decentralized finance. The platform delivers a secure, compliant, and intuitive environment for institutional staking activities, further strengthening the legitimacy of the digital asset industry. As the market continues to develop, these kinds of integrations will be vital in driving large-scale institutional participation and ongoing innovation in the sector.