What is Ether.fi?
Ether.fi is pioneering liquid restaking, giving users new ways to earn and use their ETH—including real-world spending and DeFi rewards. As the Ethereum ecosystem rapidly evolves, Ether.fi opens new financial frontiers by making it safer, simpler, and more rewarding to put your crypto to work. Liquid staking and restaking help users stay flexible, while advanced security and non-custodial control address key DeFi risks. In this beginner-friendly guide, you'll discover what Ether.fi is, how it works, how you can earn rewards, explore its unique credit card and loyalty features, and learn step-by-step how to get started—plus crucial security tips so you stake with confidence.
What is Ether.fi?
Ether.fi is a leading decentralized protocol that offers liquid staking and restaking services for Ethereum. This means users can stake their ETH to secure the network, earn rewards, and still keep their funds liquid for use in DeFi, spending, or withdrawal—all while maintaining full control. Built as a non-custodial platform, Ether.fi stands out by prioritizing user sovereignty and transparent operations.
Ether.fi’s ecosystem includes:
Liquid staking: Stake ETH and receive a tradable token (weETH) that represents your stake plus earnings.
Restaking: Use your staked ETH as collateral to earn additional rewards by supporting other protocols (restaking).
DeFi integrations: weETH and other tokens can be used in many DeFi applications for extra yield.
Innovative utility: Ether.fi is one of the first protocols to offer a DeFi-powered credit card, letting users spend crypto directly or earn loyalty rewards.
Key Benefits of Ether.fi
- Earn rewards passively with competitive APY on your ETH.
- Stay liquid with weETH—your assets remain usable elsewhere.
- Non-custodial control: Keep full ownership of your keys and coins.
- Redeem rewards or spend crypto worldwide via Ether.fi’s credit card.
- Participate in governance and airdrop programs through ETHFI, the native token.
💡 Pro Tip: Non-custodial staking via Ether.fi means you never give up control of your private keys, greatly reducing custodial risk.
How Ether.fi Stands Out
Ether.fi’s approach differs from traditional liquid staking platforms:
- Restaking: Allows users to boost returns by securing not just Ethereum, but also emerging DeFi protocols—a double-earning opportunity.
- Credit card integration: Bring DeFi utility into everyday life.
- User sovereignty: With a non-custodial design, Ether.fi never holds your funds—users interact directly with smart contracts.
- Advanced rewards system: Loyalty points, NFT rewards, and multi-layered DeFi utility make Ether.fi a one-stop Web3 gateway.
OKX provides reliable information and seamless access to Ether.fi and other advanced protocols, helping users explore innovative DeFi opportunities safely.
Ether.fi Market Data: TVL, Price & Rewards
Ether.fi’s rapid growth is attracting both beginners and advanced DeFi users. Looking at market statistics helps you judge its traction and credibility.
Total Value Locked (TVL) & Growth
As of June 2024, Ether.fi’s TVL exceeds $3 billion, a remarkable climb from early 2023, signalling surging trust and usage. TVL represents the amount of ETH and other assets staked on the platform—a higher TVL typically means better protocol security and user confidence.
| Date | TVL (USD) |
|---|---|
| June 2023 | $200 million |
| December 2023 | $2 billion |
| June 2024 | $3+ billion |
TVL growth is driven by:
- Enhanced DeFi integrations (more use cases)
- Competitive rewards
- Strong track record for security and transparency
Token Price & Returns
The native ETHFI token is central to the Ether.fi ecosystem. Its price reflects user demand, governance power, and future platform growth. In June 2024, ETHFI trades near $4, with a circulating supply of 100 million out of a 1 billion max supply.
Yield (annual APY) for weETH holders typically ranges from 3.5% to 4.5%, depending on Ethereum network conditions and restaking rewards. Factors influencing yield:
- Network staking rewards
- Additional restaking incentives
- Protocol performance and upgrades
💡 Pro Tip: Track real-time ETHFI price and TVL trends directly on OKX—your all-in-one DeFi trading and data portal.
OKX allows you to monitor, buy, and trade ETHFI with advanced order tools and portfolio tracking features.
How Liquid Staking and Restaking Work on Ether.fi
Ether.fi simplifies advanced DeFi strategies so anyone can participate in staking and restaking with minimal friction.
What is Liquid and Restaking?
Liquid staking involves locking up ETH to help secure the Ethereum network and, in return, receiving a liquid token (like weETH) that represents your deposit and earns yield. This liquid token can be freely traded or used in DeFi protocols—offering the best of both worlds: staking rewards without losing access to your liquidity.
Restaking takes things further. Once your ETH is staked and you have weETH, you can "restake" it to help secure new protocols. Think of it as "double-dipping" your staking collateral—adding another layer of rewards on top of regular network APY. For example:
- Stake 1 ETH → Receive 1 weETH
- Use weETH as collateral in partner protocols → Receive additional rewards
Ether.fi also offers eBTC and eUSD, tokenized synthetic assets backed by staked collateral, expanding your DeFi toolkit.
How Users Earn Rewards
Here’s how typical participation works:
- Deposit ETH into Ether.fi via a connected wallet.
- Receive weETH in your wallet, which accrues staking yield automatically.
- Restake via partnered protocols for higher cumulative APY (optional).
- Withdraw at any time, converting weETH back to ETH, or use your tokens in DeFi or spending.
Withdrawals are simple—just swap weETH for ETH, subject to exit queues or on-chain liquidity.
OKX’s learning hub explains liquid staking, restaking, and all the basics for getting started securely in DeFi.
ETHFI Token: Utility, Tokenomics & Distribution
ETHFI is Ether.fi’s governance and utility token, critical to protocol operation and future growth.
ETHFI Use Cases
- Governance: Vote on key Ether.fi protocol decisions, upgrades, and treasury allocation.
- Incentives: Earn bonus rewards for staking, providing liquidity, or active participation.
- Payments: Use ETHFI to pay for services, transaction fees, or access special platform features.
Staking ETHFI can also unlock exclusive airdrops or loyalty point multipliers.
Distribution & Earning
The ETHFI token has a fixed supply of 1 billion, allocated as follows:
- Community & Airdrop: 30%
- Core Team & Advisors: 25%
- Staking Rewards: 20%
- Ecosystem Growth: 15%
- Partnerships: 10%
To earn or buy ETHFI, you can:
- Stake through Ether.fi for airdrops/loyalty programs.
- Trade ETHFI tokens on OKX for secure, efficient execution.
OKX offers a trusted venue for ETHFI spot trading, future token launches, and advanced portfolio management.
Staking with Ether.fi: Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide
Getting started with Ether.fi is simple—even for crypto newcomers. Here’s how you can begin staking or restaking ETH today:
- Choose and set up a compatible wallet (e.g., MetaMask, OKX Wallet). Safeguard your seed phrase.
- Visit the Ether.fi app (official web interface). Connect your wallet using the on-screen prompt.
- Select “Stake ETH” and enter the amount you wish to stake. Approve the transaction in your wallet.
- Receive weETH instantly in your wallet—reflecting your stake and earning APY right away.
- (Optional) Restake or use weETH in DeFi apps for extra yield. Explore DeFi partner integrations from the dashboard.
- Redeem or spend: Swap weETH for ETH, or spend with the Ether.fi credit card (if available in your region).
Mobile and desktop onboarding are supported; instructions are clear, and support is available for troubleshooting.
💡 Pro Tip: Always enable 2FA and hardware wallet integration (where possible) for maximum staking security.
OKX Wallet seamlessly integrates with top staking apps, offering flexible in-app DeFi options and enhanced risk monitoring tools.
Comparing Ether.fi With Other Liquid Staking Protocols
Many users compare Ether.fi to leading protocols, such as Lido and Rocket Pool. Here’s how they stack up:
| Protocol | Token | APY/Yields | Decentralization | Added Utility | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ether.fi | weETH | 3.5–4.5% | High (non-custodial) | Credit card, NFT/airdrop, restaking | Smart contract, DeFi risk |
| Lido | stETH | 3.5–4.2% | Moderate | Lending integrations | DAO, smart contracts |
| Rocket Pool | rETH | 3.2–4.0% | High (node diversity) | Node running incentives | Node collateral, slashing |
- Fees: Ether.fi’s fee structure is competitive (typically 10% of protocol rewards).
- Utility: Ether.fi is unique for its real-world card/NFT loyalty.
- Decentralization: Both Ether.fi and Rocket Pool rank highly; Lido is improving.
OKX offers info, access, and trading for multiple leading liquid staking protocols—helping you diversify your staking portfolio.
Security, Audits, and Insurance: How Ether.fi Keeps Your Assets Safe
Security is a top concern for DeFi participants. Ether.fi employs multiple measures to safeguard user funds:
- Audits: Regular smart contract audits completed by industry leaders (e.g., OpenZeppelin, Trail of Bits). Audit reports are public and transparent.
- Proof-of-reserves: Real-time, on-chain proof ensures staked assets match liabilities 1:1. This means you can verify that all user funds are accounted for at any time.
- Insurance: Ether.fi is exploring opt-in insurance funds and covers certain protocol-layer risks; however, there’s no comprehensive FDIC-style protection.
- Transparency: Detailed security reports and smart contract code are open-source.
Risk disclaimer: DeFi always carries risk, including code bugs, governance failures, or market volatility. Always DYOR (do your own research).
OKX’s DeFi platforms emphasize security best practices and provide education on risk minimization. Explore OKX’s [DeFi wallet security] for more tips.
Real-World Utility: Spending, Credit Card, Loyalty & NFT Rewards
Ether.fi bridges on-chain value with daily life through its integrated DeFi credit card, loyalty programs, and NFT rewards.
- Credit card with VISA integration: Qualifying users can apply for an Ether.fi card, spending crypto with global merchants. Your staked assets serve as collateral, letting you earn rewards every time you spend.
- Loyalty & NFT rewards: Active users earn loyalty points for staking, card spending, and DeFi participation. Special NFT airdrops unlock early, with exclusive holder benefits, discounts, or status upgrades.
- Spending process: Fund your account with weETH or eUSD; transactions settle automatically, with daily/weekly limits based on your activity and KYC status.
This makes Ether.fi one of the most advanced liquid staking platforms for connecting crypto, credit, and real-world rewards.
OKX is building seamless rails between crypto and daily finance, positioning itself as a bridge for real-world crypto adoption and innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ether.fi safe and audited?
Ether.fi takes user safety seriously, with code regularly audited by top security firms like OpenZeppelin. All audit reports are made public, and the platform implements proof-of-reserves and ongoing security monitoring. Remember to always use your own self-custody wallet and practice good security.
How does Ether.fi yield compare to Lido or Rocket Pool?
Ether.fi offers competitive APY—typically 3.5%–4.5%—similar to Lido and slightly higher than Rocket Pool in most cycles. The experience is straightforward, and added features like restaking and loyalty rewards may further boost returns for active users.
What is restaking and why use it?
Restaking lets you earn extra rewards by using your already staked ETH to help secure new DeFi protocols. Think of it like re-investing your dividend: your ETH works double-duty, increasing total yield.
Can I use Ether.fi with self-custody wallets?
Yes! Ether.fi is designed for non-custodial use. Connect popular self-custody wallets like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or OKX Wallet, and enjoy direct control over your funds throughout the staking process.
Are Ether.fi assets insured?
Ether.fi is working on opt-in insurance pools for certain risks like code vulnerabilities, but coverage is not universal. Always check what is—and isn’t—covered, and never stake more than you can afford to lose.
How do I get a DeFi credit card from Ether.fi?
Apply directly through the Ether.fi dashboard. You’ll need to complete KYC, meet staking volume requirements, and follow in-app prompts to get started with the card program.
Conclusion
Ether.fi brings unprecedented flexibility and utility to Ethereum staking, offering:
- Secure, liquid staking and restaking for boosted yields
- Powerful tokenomics, DeFi credit card, and real-world loyalty rewards
- User-first security, non-custodial access, and transparent governance
With Ether.fi, you can earn, spend, and control your ETH in new ways—while keeping risk in check and opportunity high. Start exploring Ether.fi with OKX today for trusted access, robust tools, and deep DeFi education. Stake wisely and always manage your risk.
Risk Disclaimer: All investments and staking in DeFi protocols carry risks, including loss of funds. Always research, use secure wallets, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
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