Identification
Company Name: Nethermind
Founded: 2017, London, United Kingdom
Team Size: 250+ professionals distributed globally
Nethermind is a Blockchain Research and Software Engineering company engaged in various aspects of the web3 ecosystem, including layer 1 and layer 2 engineering, cryptography research, security, AI agents, hardware and application-layer protocol development. We offer strategic support to partners across the blockchain, digital assets, and DeFi sectors, guiding them through all stages of the research and development process, from initial concepts to successful implementation.
Our flagship product, the Nethermind Ethereum Execution Client, currently secures approximately 1/3 of the Ethereum Mainnet, making us one of the most critical infrastructure providers in the ecosystem. We played an instrumental role in Ethereum’s growth, supporting the network’s upgrades throughout the years.
Business Case
Request: Become Identified as a Tier 1 stVault Professional Operator within a DVT cluster category.
ETH Acquisition & Scale
Nethermind’s position as an Ethereum core client developer creates natural alignment with staking operations. We currently manage validators across Ethereum, Gnosis, and Starknet networks with established infrastructure ready to scale based on stVault demand.
Timeline
Ready to onboard immediately. Existing infrastructure and operational processes allow rapid scaling.
Fee Policy
Competitive, transparent fee structure aligned with market standards. Open to stVault-specific arrangements.
Why Nethermind
Protocol Expertise: We maintain the Nethermind Execution Client. This deep protocol knowledge - from EVM internals to consensus mechanics - translates directly to validator operations excellence.
Security & Research: Experience collaborating with institutions on DeFi risk management and designing yield-boosting strategies. PhD-level security team conducting smart contract audits and formal verification. 240+ published research articles with 1,450+ citations demonstrating thought leadership in blockchain security.
Decentralization Alignment: Independent ownership without VC concentration. Active contributor to ecosystem diversity across multiple layers:
| Layer | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Execution | Nethermind client (~30% mainnet) |
| Middleware/DVT | Pluto DVT client for Obol |
| Block Building | BuilderNet operator with Flashbots |
Ops & Decentralisation
Infrastructure: Multi-cloud, Kubernetes-based platform combining cloud VMs and bare-metal servers, distributed across multiple geographic regions and jurisdictions.
Client Diversity: Currently operating 3 execution clients and 4 consensus clients in production. We have hands-on experience with all available EL/CL clients and established processes to rapidly deploy any combination. As Nethermind client developers, we bring deep protocol-level debugging expertise.
DVT Experience: Production deployments with both Obol (Charon) and SSV Network architectures.
Validator Architecture: Experience operating all validator clients available including Vero + Web3Signer, Vouch + Dirk for distributed remote signing. Resilient remote slashing protection always enabled. Key management handled through secure air-gapped ceremonies.
Performance: Regularly ranked in the top 10 by operator effectiveness on public leaderboards.
MEV Posture: Active BuilderNet operator alongside Flashbots and Beaverbuild, contributing to decentralised TEE-based block building. MEV-Boost configured with multiple relays, neutral policy prioritising network health.
Links
| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| Website | https://nethermind.io |
| Documentation | https://docs.nethermind.io |
| GitHub | Nethermind · GitHub |
| X | https://x.com/nethermind |
| Nethermind | LinkedIn |