I want to add a broader fiscal point.
Wisp may become an excellent product, and I understand the argument that small experiments can create new revenue sources. But as currently presented, Wisp is not clearly connected to the Lido protocol, Ethereum staking, or even the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
Calling this “vertical expansion” therefore stretches the term considerably. It looks closer to unrelated business diversification.
Lido’s latest annual spending remained above $40m, although the latest quarterly report showed encouraging improvement. In an organization with this cost base, expanding the funding mandate into unrelated experimental businesses creates a real risk of strategic and financial sprawl.