Lido launched a community staker application identified on Ethereum Mainnet and created a verification track that makes individuals the preferred terminology in the Community Staking module of the protocol.
With each LIDO, ICS uses points systems across experience, engagement, and humanity. Applicants must meet the minimum threshold for each category and reach at least 15 points to qualify.
The program is designed to tilt CSM capacity for independent operators after an unauthorized opening brought about a wave of registration earlier this year. Lido reports that around 450 operators have signed up following the allowed shifts in January, which has reduced the room for smaller setups to deposit valid keys.
The ICS applicants passing the Review Unlock parameter set to CSM V2 include a wider tolerance performance range compared to the 6% reward share for the first 16 keys, 1.5 ETH bonds for the first key, preferred sediment for the first 10 keys, and default allowed tracks.
Lido says the application is based on an identification framework that relies on ecosystem data. Proof of experience comes from Ethstaker or Stakecat solo staker lists, participation in Obol’s Techne and SSV operator programs, and historic CSM activities. Engagement elicits hypersignal metrics and validated contributions via GitPoap.
Human evidence for Ethereum staking
Humanity’s proof includes human passports and verification via circles that have been converted to ICS points through a dedicated interface within the passport. According to Lido, Human Passport has over 2.2 million users. ICS weighting increases the credentials that the program wants higher confidence in the identification of Staker.
CSM remains unauthorized, participation without ICS is still available, and new processes will not replace open access. ICS acts as an additional operator type for V2, using differentiated parameters aimed at routeing early capacity to validated individuals while maintaining control over validated performance and strike policy.
The application is currently open. The first review round will end on October 1st. The approved addresses will be nominated for the On-Chain ICS list through Simple Truck Governance around October 8th. The operator can then claim the ICS node type on the CSM interface.
The timing of the launch is tied to CSM V2. This says Lido will raise the community’s staking share limit to 5% and expand the portion of stock that will be induced through the module after the upgrade has landed. Lido has assembled this change as a way to keep the system open to all operators through unauthorized passes while expanding the community-staker room.
Lido repeated the social channel scoring category and ICS objectives, and V2’s entry gates now assign parameters to each operator group, allowing ICS to be assigned as the first such gate.
The application flow is run through the CSM widget, using the option to connect the main operating address, add up to five support addresses for additional proof, and include contact information. If approved, the ICS status shows the estimated date for the next list update:
If not approved, the applicant can modify and resend for later rounds, and all validators can continue to operate on the allowed tracks in parallel.
Benefits of ICS for Community Stakers
Lido places tracks as a mechanism to route early deposits and fee sharing to individuals who can use external proofs to ensure they perform independent operations while maintaining privacy through qualification-based checks, rather than identity disclosure.
The initial list update and V2 cutover determine how ICS operators quickly see deposits flow through the priority queue. The price share and bond changes will then be applied to the configured initial key.
Lido’s guidance focuses on round 1 approval and simple track action on October 8th, and sets up the next step for applicants preparing to run the Valitter under ICS parameters once the upgrade is live.
