The Ethereum 2.0 (Eth2) upgrade marks one of the most significant transformations in blockchain history. Designed to shift Ethereum from a Proof-of-Work (PoW) to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, Eth2 introduces enhanced scalability, security, and long-term sustainability. As the network evolves, staking has become a core component for both network stability and user participation.
This article explores the non-custodial staking model, focusing on pricing structures, renewal policies, and user benefits—especially as offered through leading wallet integrations. Whether you're evaluating staking options or preparing for post-merge participation, this guide delivers clarity on how to securely earn yield while maintaining full control over your assets.
What Is Ethereum 2.0?
Ethereum 2.0 is not just an incremental update—it's a complete architectural overhaul. The transition involves three major phases:
- The Beacon Chain: Launched in December 2020, this introduced the PoS consensus layer.
- The Merge: Completed in September 2022, it merged the Ethereum mainnet with the Beacon Chain, ending PoW mining.
- The Surge (Sharding): Future phase aimed at improving scalability via data sharding.
With these upgrades, Ethereum becomes more energy-efficient and capable of handling higher transaction throughput—making it ideal for decentralized applications and institutional adoption.
👉 Discover how secure staking platforms support long-term ETH growth.
How Does Eth2 Staking Work?
To participate in Eth2 staking, users must lock up at least 32 ETH to run a validator node. These validators are responsible for proposing blocks and attesting to the validity of others, ensuring network integrity. In return, they earn staking rewards denominated in ETH.
As of mid-2021, over 5.3 million ETH were staked across approximately 160,000 active validators, with annual percentage yields (APY) hovering around 6.8%. Today, APY fluctuates between 3% and 5%, depending on total network stake and issuance rate.
While running your own node offers full autonomy, it demands technical expertise and constant maintenance. That’s where alternative staking solutions come into play.
Types of Eth2 Staking Solutions
There are several ways to participate in Eth2 staking, each with distinct trade-offs:
- Self-Node Operation: Run your own validator using local hardware and clients. Full control but requires technical knowledge.
- Custodial Staking Services: Entrust ETH to centralized providers (e.g., exchanges). Lower barrier to entry but sacrifices asset control.
- Staking Pools with Liquidity Tokens: Use pooled services that issue liquid staking tokens (like stETH), allowing continued use of staked funds in DeFi.
- Non-Custodial Staking: Maintain ownership of your private keys and staked ETH while outsourcing node operations to professional infrastructure providers.
Among these, non-custodial staking strikes the optimal balance between security, ease of use, and decentralization—making it ideal for users who value self-sovereignty without compromising convenience.
Why Choose Non-Custodial ETH2 Staking?
Non-custodial staking allows users to delegate validator operations to trusted service providers while retaining full control over their assets. Unlike custodial models, there's no need to transfer ETH to a third party. Instead, smart contracts manage the validator setup, ensuring that only the user can initiate withdrawals once unlocking features are live.
One notable implementation is the integration between imToken Wallet and InfStones, offering a seamless non-custodial staking experience directly within the mobile app. This solution supports users with 32 ETH or more, delivering competitive returns—historically around 7.05% APY—without sacrificing decentralization principles.
Key benefits include:
- Full ownership of staked ETH and rewards
- No exposure to counterparty risk
- Professional-grade node infrastructure and 24/7 monitoring
- Simplified user interface for setup and tracking
👉 Learn how top-tier platforms enable secure, high-yield ETH staking today.
ETH2 Staking Service Fees: Transparent Pricing Models
Since non-custodial services still require robust infrastructure and operational support, providers charge a fee for maintaining validator nodes. In the case of InfStones’ offering via imToken:
- Service Fee: $100 per validator per year (~365 days)
- Payment: In ETH, calculated based on real-time market price at time of payment
This fee covers:
- High-availability server hosting
- 24/7 node monitoring and alerts
- Software updates and client synchronization
- Downtime prevention and slashing protection
It's important to note that users pay only for operational services—their staked ETH and earned rewards remain entirely under their control.
Pricing Tiers: Exploration, Early Bird, and Beyond
To encourage early adoption, a tiered pricing model was introduced:
🔹 Exploration Phase
- Period: May 1 – June 30, 2021
- Cost: $100/year per node
- Duration: 365 days
- Ideal for early adopters seeking low-cost entry
🔹 Early Bird Phase
- Period: July 1, 2021 – The Merge
- Cost: $200/year per node
- Duration: 365 days
- Slightly higher cost reflecting increased demand
🔹 Post-Merge Phase
- Status: Active after The Merge (post-September 2022)
- Pricing: To be determined
- All validators must renew under new terms
These tiers incentivized participation before full network functionality was live, particularly when withdrawals were not yet enabled.
Renewal Policy After The Merge
Following The Merge, renewal rules changed significantly:
- Validators active during the Exploration or Early Bird phases had their service automatically extended until The Merge—even if the initial 365-day period ended.
- After The Merge completed, any remaining time from pre-merge plans became invalid.
- All validators now require renewal under updated pricing to remain active.
Additionally:
- All qualifying validators received bonus service duration, regardless of whether they renewed.
- Exact reward duration details were announced later by the provider.
If a user chooses not to renew after expiration (including bonus periods), their validator will gracefully exit the network. Once the Ethereum protocol enables full withdrawals (which it now does), users can reclaim both principal and accumulated rewards.
Note: Withdrawal functionality became available with the Shanghai upgrade in April 2023, allowing full exit and fund retrieval.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I stake less than 32 ETH using non-custodial services?
A: No. Non-custodial staking requires exactly 32 ETH per validator. For smaller amounts, consider liquid staking pools like Lido or Coinbase’s shared staking options.
Q: Are my funds locked forever after staking?
A: Not anymore. Since the Shanghai upgrade in 2023, users can withdraw both staked ETH and rewards after initiating an exit.
Q: What happens if my validator goes offline?
A: Providers like InfStones implement redundancy and slashing protection. Brief downtime may reduce rewards slightly but won’t result in penalties unless prolonged.
Q: Do I retain control over my private keys?
A: Yes. In non-custodial models, keys never leave your wallet. You maintain full custody at all times.
Q: How are staking rewards distributed?
A: Rewards accrue automatically on-chain and are claimable once withdrawals are processed through your wallet interface.
Q: Can I use hardware wallets like imKey for non-custodial staking?
A: While imToken supports integration with certain hardware devices, direct participation in non-custodial Eth2 staking via imKey may have limitations. Always verify compatibility with official documentation before proceeding.
Final Thoughts: Secure Your Stake, Maximize Control
Non-custodial Eth2 staking represents a powerful fusion of decentralization and convenience. By leveraging trusted infrastructure providers without surrendering asset control, users gain access to reliable yields in a secure environment.
As Ethereum continues evolving—with upcoming upgrades like proto-danksharding and further improvements in finality and scalability—staking remains a foundational way to contribute to network health while earning passive income.
Whether you're a seasoned validator or new to proof-of-stake, choosing a transparent, non-custodial path ensures you stay aligned with Ethereum’s core values: openness, resilience, and user empowerment.
👉 Start your secure staking journey with trusted infrastructure today.