From Premier Liquid Staking for Chainlink to the First On-Chain LST Index

This is the story of the evolution of stake.link (SDL). While our vision is expanding, our foundation remains firmly rooted.

Chainlink and its Liquid Staking Token (LST), stLINK, are and will always be at the core of our strategy. It is the bedrock upon which we are building the future. It's the bedrock on which DeFi and the future on-chain economy resides.

We were thrilled to announce the next step in the evolution of stake.link - the introduction of stPOL, our LST for the Polygon network - in the past weeks.

This marks a pivotal moment, signaling the beginning of a broader, ambitious strategy: To build the first-of-its-kind on-chain Liquid Staking Token (LST) Index, where the native token, $SDL, captures value from a diverse and growing basket of LSTs.

This article will delve into the ambitious vision and multi-faceted strategy of stake.link - a future built on the core strength of stLINK, expanding to empower the entire Web3 ecosystem.

The Unshakeable Foundation: Secure, Distributed, and Liquid

Before we explore the future, it is crucial to understand the bedrock upon which SDL is built. Our core mission remains to provide a liquid staking solution that is:

• Secure: Security is paramount. Our smart contracts are audited by the same industry-leading experts trusted by giants like Chainlink Labs, including firms such as Sigma Prime, CodeHawks, Cyfrin, Zellic and Trust Security.

• Distributed: We are powered by a sophisticated and distributed network of the most reputable validators. Our infrastructure includes 15 of the largest node operators, which collectively process over 57% of all activity on the Chainlink Network, ensuring robust and decentralized operations.

• Liquid: Built for maximum utility, our LSTs are designed for seamless interoperability and composability within the DeFi ecosystem. Integrations with  various DeFi platforms and the upcoming addition to Aave are testaments to this commitment.

The Vision: Becoming a Liquid Staking Token Index

Our entire strategy is set to grow from a specialized service into a foundational DeFi primitive.

As seen in the graphic, our journey follows three key phases along this curve:

1. The Foundation: We began by building the first LST, stLINK, for Chainlink, creating a strong and secure base for our ecosystem.

2. The Inflection Point: We are now at a crucial point of acceleration. By adding the second LST, stPOL for Polygon, we are enabling multiple reward streams for $SDL stakers in form and proving our multi-network model.

3. The Future State: Our path leads to establishing $SDL as the first of its kind On-Chain LST Index This will enable users to gain exposure to a diverse basket of LST rewards, all consolidated within the single $SDL token.

The Grand Strategy: The Three Dimensions of Growth

Our roadmap goals will be achieved by focusing on three distinct dimensions of growth for our Total Value Locked (TVL).

1. Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs): The continuous addition of new, high-quality LSTs for promising networks. While stLINK is our core, the addition of stPOL is just the beginning.

2. Integrations and Access Points: We aim to make our LSTs ubiquitous by integrating with prominent platforms, wallets, and exchanges. Our native portal, stake.link, and our partnership with SwissBorg are the first of many access points.

3. Value Locked: For each LST and on every integrated platform, our goal is to maximize the staked units. We will actively support measures that drive value locked and attention to our integrations.

Our Roadmap to Execute the Vision

To move along this S-curve, we have a clear, actionable roadmap designed to maximize protocol value creation. These are the concrete steps we are taking to bring our vision to life.

• Short-Term: Our immediate focus was on the successful stPOL Go-live and our SwissBorg integration. We also implemented Native Withdrawals for stLINK Staking.

• Medium-Term: We plan to accelerate our expansion by launching a Third and Fourth LST, while also bringing more 3rd party access points online. A key milestone will be securingAave Governance Approval to add wstLINK, further enhancing its liquidity and utility.

• Long-Term: The ultimate goal is to establish SDL as a first-of-its-kind basket LST-reward-bearing token. We will strive to make SDL available everywhere and continue to onboard and expand stake through new NOPs and Validators.

A Principled Expansion: Our Evaluation Criteria

The addition of new LSTs to our ecosystem is a carefully considered process. Our focus remains on LSTs with a strong connection to Chainlink. We have established clear evaluation criteria to ensure that each new token aligns with our core vision and benefits our community:

• Attractive Fee Opportunity for SDL and Node Operators

• Alignment with Chainlink Ecosystem and SDL vision

• Competitive LST rewards can be realized in the ecosystem

The $SDL Token: A Stake in the Entire Ecosystem

The true power of our model is crystallized in the $SDL token. As our ecosystem of LSTs grows, so does the value proposition for $SDL holders. All fees generated from our expanding basket of LSTs, from stLINK to stPOL and all future additions are distributed to those who stake $SDL. This creates a powerful flywheel effect: as we add more LSTs and integrations, the potential rewards for $SDL stakers increase, driving more value to our native token.

The Future is a Shared One

The launch of stPOL is more than just the addition of a new token; it is the dawn of a new era for stake.link. Our vision is clear: To build a robust, secure, and decentralized financial future powered by a diverse index of liquid staking tokens, all built upon the core strength of Chainlink. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey as we build the premier on-chain liquid staking index and redefine what it means to participate in the decentralized economy.