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As became known yesterday, major cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has agreed to shut down its cryptocurrency staking services as part of a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The incident, which sparked discontent in the crypto community, for all its negativity, nevertheless proved to be a trigger for double-digit growth in a certain asset class.
Ethereum LSD providers gain traction
Thus, one of the clear beneficiaries of the news is RPL, the token for Ethereum's decentralized staking platform (ETH). Since the SEC's intention to sanction all staking-as-service providers became known, the price of RPL rose 37.5% in a matter of hours. Reaching $52 per token, RPL's price action almost allowed the asset to renew its all-time high.
As Lookonchain reports, this performance from the Rocket Pool token was preceded by an accumulation of more than $1.5 million by large holders from late January to February. Having accumulated large positions in RPL, the whales then sent them to staking.
Another token from Ethereum's liquid staking provider asset sector has also attracted substantive interest from some investors. This is LDO, the native token of the largest such platform. Thus, it is reported that three different whales cumulatively bought more than 400,000 LDO during and after the SEC news.
Decentralized liquid staking derivatives providers may continue to ramp up further amid sanctions against their centralized competitors. At the same time, it is worth keeping in mind the approach of Ethereum's next major update in March. Named Shanghai, the update is also expected to take effect.