Rocket Pool’s community has voted to give rETH holders a protocol-level path to withdraw their ETH. It also voted to leave one of the protocol’s most debated settings exactly where it is.
Through Snapshot votes held in late September and early October 2026, voters backed RPIP-71, a proposal that adds new withdrawal liquidity mechanics for rETH. They also kept the 4 ETH bond requirement for megapool validators, rejecting options to cut it to 1.5 ETH or raise it to 6 ETH.
None of this is live yet. The full Saturn 2 upgrade package still needs final ratification before it ships.
What voters actually approved
RPIP-71 aims to make redeeming rETH smoother. When withdrawal requests come in, the protocol can trigger random exits from megapools to free up ETH for redemptions. The random selection matters because it means no single operator is singled out to fund every exit.
Those exits still respect Ethereum’s exit queue. Validators can’t leave the network all at once, so redemptions will move at the pace Ethereum allows, not instantly.
The bond stays at 4 ETH
The bond is the ETH a node operator puts up themselves before running a validator that also uses pooled ETH from rETH holders. Voters had two alternatives on the table. One would have lowered the bond to 1.5 ETH, and the other would have raised it to 6 ETH. Both lost. The 4 ETH requirement, which arrived with the Saturn 1 upgrade in February 2026, survives intact.
What else is in Saturn 2
RPIP-73 adds protections against validator underperformance. Forced exit mechanisms, covered under RPIP-44 and RPIP-80, are also part of the bundle, giving the protocol tools to push validators out when needed rather than waiting for operators to leave voluntarily.
RPIP-85, which proposed expanded onchain signal voting, was deferred. Snapshot remains the main venue for community signaling.
The timeline from devnet to mainnet
Development work on Saturn 2 is already underway. An initial devnet is expected to launch in late October 2026. Mainnet deployment has been discussed for 2027, pending final ratification.
Saturn 1 introduced significant changes in February 2026, including the 4 ETH bond and new liquidity initiatives. Saturn 2 builds on that foundation with a focus on rETH holder experience and peg stability.
Where the protocol stands now
As of October 12, 2026, rETH supply sat at approximately 315,605. The network counted around 18,000 validators and 1,414 node operators.
What this means for rETH holders and operators
For rETH holders, a protocol-level redemption route reduces dependence on secondary market liquidity when someone wants to exit. Redemptions tied to Ethereum’s validator exits inherit Ethereum’s pacing, so holders get a reliable door, not a revolving one.
For node operators, keeping the bond at 4 ETH removes uncertainty over capital requirements. Random megapool exits mean any operator’s validator could be selected to fund redemptions. The underperformance protections in RPIP-73 and the forced exit tools in RPIP-44 and RPIP-80 give the protocol tighter control over its validator set.
Deferring RPIP-85 means Rocket Pool keeps its current governance setup, with Snapshot remaining the main venue for community signaling.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.