SSV

SSV (ssv.network) is an Ethereum staking infrastructure protocol that implements Distributed Validator Technology (DVT) by splitting a validator’s signing key into encrypted shares and distributing them across multiple independent operators. The goal is to make Ethereum validators more resilient, non-custodial, and decentralized by removing single points of failure.

SSV combines three main directions under one umbrella:

• Distributed validator infrastructure (DVT middleware): a validator can be run by a cluster of operators who coordinate duties and produce signatures via threshold signing, so the validator can keep operating even if one operator goes offline (within the cluster’s fault tolerance).

• Open operator network: anyone meeting requirements can run an SSV operator. Validators (or staking services) choose a set of operators, and the network coordinates performance, availability, and operations for the distributed validator.

• Tokenized economics & governance (SSV): the SSV token is used for paying operator fees (validator owners fund their validator’s operation) and for protocol-level incentives and governance.

• Key features typically highlighted by SSV include non-custodial key security (no single operator ever holds the full private key), higher uptime through redundancy, and a modular setup that can be used by solo stakers, staking pools, and institutional operators to improve operational robustness.

Overall, SSV positions itself as a decentralized “operator layer” for Ethereum staking—turning a validator into a fault-tolerant, multi-operator service secured by cryptography and aligned by an on-chain fee and governance model.