Marinade is redefining what’s possible in decentralized staking on Solana. With the upcoming launch of Marinade V2, the protocol unifies powerful staking tools, smarter delegation strategies, and a community-driven governance model—all designed to enhance security, transparency, and user control. This evolution marks a pivotal moment not just for Marinade, but for the entire Solana ecosystem.
At the heart of this transformation are three core pillars: an all-in-one staking experience called Staking 360, a revamped MNDE tokenomics structure, and deeper integration between the protocol and its decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). These updates reflect two years of real-world testing, community feedback, and technical innovation—all leading toward a more resilient and user-centric future.
Building Momentum in Solana’s Ecosystem
The momentum behind Solana’s revival is undeniable. After navigating the 2022–2023 bear market, key indicators point to a healthier, more decentralized network. The Nakamoto Coefficient has risen to 34, signaling improved validator diversity and resistance to centralization. Major DeFi protocols like Solend and Mango have relaunched, while high-profile projects such as Helium and Render have migrated to Solana, reinforcing confidence in the chain’s long-term viability.
Liquid staking has also gained renewed attention. Ethereum’s Shanghai upgrade unlocked staked ETH, drawing broader awareness to the benefits of liquidity in proof-of-stake networks. On Solana, where over 70% of SOL is staked, only about 2% is liquid staked—a gap Marinade aims to close with V2.
Since its mainnet launch in August 2021, Marinade has become a cornerstone of Solana’s liquid staking infrastructure. Through grants, community collaboration, and iterative development, it has refined its approach based on direct input from validators, stakers, and developers.
Now, with Solana’s core improvements and ecosystem growth in mind, Marinade V2 brings together past achievements and future ambitions into a cohesive roadmap.
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What’s New in Marinade V2?
Marinade V2 isn’t just an incremental update—it's a strategic integration of tools and governance designed to make staking smarter, safer, and more accessible.
2023 Roadmap: Progress So Far
Several foundational components have already launched:
- ✅ Validator Dashboard: Transparent performance tracking for all validators.
- ✅ Open Doors Program: Incentivizing new validators to join and strengthen decentralization.
- ✅ Saga Phone DApp Integration: Bringing staking to mobile users via Solana-powered hardware.
- ✅ MNDE Tokenomics Update: Aligning incentives with long-term growth.
- ✅ Improved Delegation Formula: Balancing yield and decentralization.
- ✅ mSOL Directed Stake: Allowing protocols and users to direct stake to preferred validators.
These milestones lay the groundwork for what comes next.
Upcoming Features in Marinade V2
- Enhanced Stake Pool Delegation Strategy
- Staking 360 – A Unified Staking Experience
- DAO Governance Upgrades via Realms
- Redesigned MNDE Token Model
Smarter Staking: The New Delegation Strategy
In Marinade V2, stake distribution is optimized across three streams:
1. Performance-Based (60%)
An algorithm selects the top 100 validators using the Marinade Score, which evaluates both yield and decentralization metrics. This ensures high returns without sacrificing network health.
2. veMNDE Voting (20%)
Users who lock MNDE tokens gain veMNDE voting power, allowing them to influence where a portion of stake is delegated. Validators must meet strict performance criteria to remain eligible, preserving mSOL’s stability.
3. Directed Stake (20%)
mSOL holders and integrated protocols can choose specific validators—ideal for those supporting particular nodes or ecosystem partners—provided they pass eligibility checks.
Marinade’s internal monitoring system tracks validator behavior in real time, identifying issues like vote lagging or malicious activity. With Solana’s new redelegate feature, stake can be instantly rebalanced—eliminating cooling periods and maximizing rewards.
Staking 360: One Platform for All Staking Needs
Despite high overall staking rates, liquid staking adoption remains low due to concerns around taxes, smart contract risk, or loyalty to individual validators. Marinade addresses these barriers head-on with Staking 360, a comprehensive suite that supports every staking preference.
Key Components of Staking 360
Algorithmic Native Staking
For users wary of smart contracts, Marinade introduces native staking with automated delegation. Your SOL is distributed across 100+ top-performing validators—no third-party risks involved. Full transparency is maintained via the Validator Dashboard and Marinade Score.
Redesigned Unstake Pool
Say goodbye to waiting days for unstaking. The new unstake mechanism combines Jupiter’s swap engine with Marinade’s stake management to enable near-instant conversion of mSOL or native stakes back into SOL—all in one click.
Expanded Liquid Staking Utility
mSOL’s true power lies in its composability. Marinade will continue expanding integrations across DeFi, making mSOL usable as collateral, liquidity provider tokens, and more. The revamped DeFi landing page and enhanced Cookbook will serve as go-to resources for discovering top yield opportunities.
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mDAO Governance: Power to the Community
Marinade is transitioning its governance from Tribeca to Realms, Solana Labs’ open-source governance platform used by leading DAOs. This move enhances transparency, interoperability, and community control.
Key Governance Changes
- The DAO controls the treasury, main contracts, and council appointments.
- MNDE holders lock tokens to receive veMNDE, granting voting rights.
- Chef NFT holders must migrate to participate in future governance.
- The Marinade Council operates under DAO oversight, managing daily operations within a defined budget and security mandate.
This structure balances agility with accountability—empowering the community while ensuring efficient execution.
MNDE Token Design: Simplicity, Alignment, Utility
Since MNDE’s fair launch in October 2021, lessons learned have shaped a leaner, more sustainable token model.
1. Simplified Allocation
| Category | Allocation |
|---|---|
| DAO (Treasury + Circulating) | 92.5% |
| Initial Contributors | 7.5% |
The team’s vesting has been halted at 7.5%, with further unlocks tied directly to performance milestones, such as increases in total value locked (TVL). This shift from time-based to performance-based releases better aligns incentives with long-term success.
2. MNDE Buybacks
Once protocol revenue exceeds operational costs, the DAO can propose market buybacks of MNDE. Current estimates suggest this could occur if SOL reaches ~$40 or if Marinade’s managed stake grows by ~4 million SOL—targets achievable with product expansion and rising adoption.
3. Token Utility
- Governance: Vote on treasury use, protocol upgrades, and council decisions.
- Delegation Control: Influence validator selection through gauges.
- Fee-Driven Demand: Revenue surplus fuels potential buybacks, increasing scarcity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Marinade V2?
A: Marinade V2 is a major upgrade that integrates advanced staking tools, improved governance via Realms, and a simplified MNDE token model to deliver a unified, user-first staking experience on Solana.
Q: How does Staking 360 differ from traditional liquid staking?
A: Unlike standard liquid staking, Staking 360 supports both native and liquid options, offers instant unstaking via Jupiter swaps, and provides full transparency through validator scoring and performance dashboards.
Q: Can I still support my favorite validator?
A: Yes! With Directed Stake and veMNDE voting, you can allocate portions of your stake to preferred validators—as long as they meet performance standards.
Q: What happens to my MNDE tokens under the new model?
A: Existing MNDE holders retain full ownership. To participate in governance, simply lock your MNDE to receive veMNDE voting power. Team allocations are now performance-based.
Q: Is there a risk of centralization with algorithmic delegation?
A: No—Marinade’s delegation formula explicitly balances yield with decentralization metrics, avoiding over-concentration. The Open Doors Program also incentivizes new validators to join.
Q: When will Marinade V2 be live?
A: Core components are already rolling out. Full integration of Staking 360 and Realms-based governance is expected by late 2025.
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Final Thoughts: A Community-Owned Future
Marinade V2 represents more than a product update—it’s a commitment to decentralization, transparency, and user empowerment. By combining robust technical infrastructure with community-led governance, Marinade positions itself as the definitive staking layer for Solana.
As liquid staking gains traction and Solana continues to mature, Marinade’s role becomes increasingly vital. Whether you're a casual staker or a DeFi power user, Marinade V2 offers the tools, flexibility, and control needed to thrive in Web3.
The future of staking isn’t just about returns—it’s about participation. And with Marinade V2, everyone has a seat at the table.
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