Lido Unveils Upgraded Core Infrastructure with Bond-Based Security
Lido's Core Upgrade is now live on mainnet after passing all required governance hurdles. The upgrade, which was approved by the Lido DAO on or around July 23, 2026, bundles two major components: the Community Staking Module updated to version 3 and the brand-new Curated Module v2.
The Community Staking Module is Lido's permissionless entry point for node operators. Version 3 pushes flexibility further, making it easier for new operators to participate at scale. The Curated Module v2 introduces bond-based security mechanisms, where node operators post collateral as a performance guarantee rather than relying solely on governance-managed reputation.
The upgrade operates entirely at the protocol layer, meaning stETH holders wake up with their same holdings and no migration steps required. Lido has been a dominant player in Ethereum's liquid staking landscape since liquid staking became a category worth talking about. Its stETH token represents a staker's ETH position plus accruing rewards.