Tel Aviv, Israel, February 24, 2026 — SSV Network, the leading distributed validator technology (DVT) provider on Ethereum securing ~6.3M ETH, today announced the launch of the SSV Staking Testnet, and an accompanying incentivized Alpha tester program. The initiative invites Ethereum participants worldwide to become early testers of cSSV, the new staking token powering SSV’s next major protocol upgrade. SSV Token Unlocks New Utility
SSV Staking is the SSV Network’s next major evolution: a shift toward ETH-native settlement, post-Pectra validators, and oracle-backed accounting. The cSSV token, which is a 1:1 representation of your staked SSV position, acts as the interface for governance, oracle selection, and a pro-rata claim on network fees while also usable in DeFi.
The testnet provides the first end-to-end public experience of this upgraded staking architecture, offering users the opportunity to interact with the full lifecycle before mainnet releases.
cSSV Alpha Testers Program
The SSV DAO is launching an incentivized Alpha testers program focused on actionable, high-quality feedback, ensuring users are familiar with the flow before going live, and rewarding them for their participation in the testnet.
Participants will:
- Complete specific on-chain interactions within the testnet environment
- Submit structured feedback
- Selected winners will be eligible for a part of a $5,000 prize pool
“We are excited to open up the SSV staking testnet to the public for everyone to experience what the future holds for the SSV token. Join the testnet, push the system, and tell us what you think. The reward program is built to recognize the people who help turn the next protocol upgrade into a mainnet-quality release,” said Elad Gafni, SSV Foundation.
A New Way to Secure Ethereum
After Ethereum transitioned to post-Pectra validator balances, accurate on-chain accounting for SSV Network requires tracking effective balances that live on the consensus layer. The protocol’s design introduces an oracle system to track balances onchain, and the staking/delegation mechanism is intended to align long-term participants with that core function.
By staking SSV, participants contribute directly to securing a core function of the SSV Network while supporting Ethereum’s broader validator ecosystem. The mechanism introduces a new opportunity to earn ETH-denominated rewards beyond traditional Proof-of-Stake participation.
Disclaimer: The testnet and reward program are part of an ongoing process. SSV Staking remains subject to SSV DAO governance and community feedback. Testnet tokens have no monetary value.
About SSV Network
SSV Network provides a distributed infrastructure designed to improve the fault tolerance, decentralization, and security of Ethereum validators through Distributed Validator Technology (DVT). SSV Network is the leading provider on Ethereum, securing ~6.3M ETH across nearly 2,000 globally distributed node operators.
Press contact
Robert Drage
[email protected]
