What could affect the price of LDO?

Lido DAO is carefully managing upgrades to its protocol while navigating a volatile market.

1. VanEck’s stETH ETF Application – A potential boost for institutional interest
2. Governance Votes – Changes to validator exit rules and bridge partnerships are underway
3. Token Unlocks – 36% of tokens held in treasury could lead to dilution without a clear plan

In-Depth Look

1. VanEck’s stETH ETF Filing (Positive Outlook)

What happened: On October 16, 2025, VanEck applied to launch the first U.S. ETF that tracks Lido’s stETH, a token representing staked Ethereum. The SEC now has a faster review process (75 days instead of 240), which could speed up institutional investors’ access to Lido’s staking rewards. Lido currently controls nearly 60% of the Ethereum staking market, with $33.37 billion in total value locked.

Why it matters: If approved, this ETF would confirm Lido’s strong infrastructure and could bring billions of dollars into stETH, increasing revenue for the protocol. However, stETH’s price dropped about 5.7% right after the announcement, as traders reacted to the uncertainty around regulatory approval (Yahoo Finance).

2. Governance Proposals in Progress (Mixed Signals)

What’s happening: Two important votes are closing on October 22:

• Validator Exit Rules: Making it easier for node operators to leave, which could improve decentralization
• Bridge Partnerships: Creating more ways to use stETH across different blockchains

Why it matters: If validator exit rules pass, it could encourage more operators to join, making the network more secure (a positive sign). Bridge partnerships could make stETH more useful, but if votes fail or focus is split, it might hurt confidence. For example, a similar governance update in July caused LDO’s price to drop 13% before recovering (CoinMarketCal).

3. Large Treasury Token Supply (Potential Risk)

What’s the issue: Over 36% of LDO’s total 1 billion tokens (about 363 million) are held in the DAO treasury. These tokens are meant for grants and partnerships, but without a clear plan for releasing them, there’s a risk of sudden selling pressure. For example, Paradigm Capital sold 50 million LDO tokens at $1.31 in 2024, which contributed to a 38% price drop over 60 days.

Why it matters: If these tokens are used strategically, like for liquidity mining, they could help grow stETH’s adoption. But if sold off too quickly, it could worsen LDO’s recent 18% price decline over the past month. Keep an eye on Lido’s governance forum for updates on treasury plans (Lido’s governance forum).

Conclusion

Lido DAO’s future depends on whether ETF approvals can offset the risks from increased token supply. The current price level around $0.90 aligns with technical support, but momentum is weak. With stETH’s daily trading volume at $84 million, it faces competition from Bitcoin’s dominance at 59.22%. Watch for the SEC’s ETF decision expected by mid-January 2026 and any major moves in the treasury’s token holdings.

What are people saying about LDO?

Conversations around Lido DAO (LDO) are swinging between optimism for a price breakout and concerns over large investors selling off. Here’s what’s trending right now:

1. Traders targeting $2.55 after positive technical signals
2. Institutions selling over $45 million in LDO – Paradigm Capital leads the sell-off
3. New Dual Governance system launched, sparking debate on how much power stakers have
4. First net profit achieved in August 2025, marking a key milestone

In-Depth Look

1. @johnmorganFL: $2.55 Price Target – Bullish Outlook

“LDO up 70% this week – breakout from a descending wedge pattern confirms a bull run”
– @johnmorganFL (89K followers · 210K impressions · August 12, 2025)
See original post
What this means: Technical analysts believe LDO could rise if it stays above $1.53, supported by growth in Ethereum staking. Watch for strong trading volume if the price moves above $1.60 to confirm this trend.

2. @WuBlockchain: Paradigm Capital Sells $8.4M in LDO – Bearish Signal

“Paradigm transferred 10 million LDO tokens to exchanges – has sold 50 million since November 2024 at an average price of $1.31”
– @WuBlockchain (320K followers · 580K impressions · June 10, 2025)
See original post
What this means: When big buyers start selling, it creates selling pressure that can hold the price down. Nearly 48.5 million LDO tokens moved to exchanges in the last 30 days, which could lead to further price drops.

3. @LidoFinance: Governance Upgrade Introduces Dual Voting – Neutral Impact

“Dual Governance is live: stETH holders with at least 10% stake can veto proposals”
– @LidoFinance (290K followers · 1.2M impressions · July 15, 2025)
See original post
What this means: This change reduces the risk of hostile takeovers in governance but makes decision-making more complex. It also aligns Lido’s governance with Ethereum’s standards for decentralization.

4. CryptoStreamHub: Lido Reports First Net Profit – Bullish Development

“$1 million profit in August compared to a $153 million loss in 2022 – Fully diluted valuation (FDV) now 1/25th of total value locked (TVL)”
– CryptoStreamHub (Verified Publisher · August 12, 2025)
What this means: Lido is developing a sustainable business model. With $38 billion in assets staked (TVL) and a market valuation of $1.5 billion (FDV), Lido appears undervalued compared to competitors like EigenLayer, which has a $12 billion FDV.

Conclusion

The outlook for Lido DAO (LDO) is mixed. Positive technical indicators and governance upgrades suggest long-term potential, but large institutional sell-offs and weakness in the broader altcoin market create uncertainty. The price range between $0.90 and $1.10 is critical to watch. Also, keep an eye on the VanEck Staked ETH ETF decision expected by October 16, 2025. Approval could bring more institutional money into Lido’s staking ecosystem.

What is the latest news about LDO?

Lido DAO is making important moves in regulation and governance as VanEck files for a staked Ethereum ETF. Here’s a quick summary of the latest developments:

1. VanEck Files for Staked Ethereum ETF (October 17, 2025) – The first U.S. ETF linked to Lido’s stETH aims to make Ethereum staking more accessible to big investors.
2. Validator Exit Rules Vote (October 15–22, 2025) – A proposal to simplify how node operators leave the network to improve security.
3. Bridge Partnerships Vote (October 15–22, 2025) – The DAO is considering expanding partnerships to connect stETH with more blockchain platforms.

Deep Dive

1. VanEck Files for Staked Ethereum ETF (October 17, 2025)

Overview:
On October 16, 2025, VanEck submitted paperwork to the SEC for a new ETF based on Lido’s staked Ethereum token, stETH. This ETF would follow an index from MarketVector and give investors a regulated way to earn rewards from Ethereum staking through Lido. VanEck manages $133 billion in assets and previously proposed a similar ETF for Solana staking. Lido currently leads Ethereum staking with nearly 60% market share, representing $33.37 billion staked.

What this means:
This is a positive sign for Lido DAO (LDO) because it shows growing trust in Lido’s technology for institutional investors and could bring in more capital. However, after the announcement, stETH’s price dropped by about 5.7%, likely due to concerns about market dilution or regulatory challenges. The SEC’s faster review process (75 days instead of 240) under new rules improves the chances of approval.
(Yahoo Finance)

2. Validator Exit Rules Vote (October 15–22, 2025)

Overview:
Lido DAO members are voting on updates to the rules for how validators (node operators) exit the network. The goal is to make the process simpler and safer, which could help keep the network decentralized and secure.

What this means:
If approved, these changes could make it easier for node operators to leave when needed, encouraging more participation and strengthening the network. On the other hand, if the rules become too complicated, it might discourage operators. The market will watch closely to see if these changes build confidence in Lido’s staking system.
(TradingView)

3. Bridge Partnerships Vote (October 15–22, 2025)

Overview:
At the same time, the DAO is voting on whether to give the Lido Ecosystem Foundation more authority to form partnerships with blockchain bridges. This would help stETH work across more blockchain networks.

What this means:
If this passes, stETH could be used in more decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, increasing its usefulness and demand. However, there are risks if partnerships are poorly managed or technical problems arise, which could hurt trust. Success depends on partnering with reputable projects.
(TradingView)

Conclusion

Lido DAO is balancing new regulatory opportunities, like the ETF filing, with important governance updates to maintain its leadership in Ethereum staking. While the ETF could open the door to more institutional investors, some market uncertainty remains due to overall crypto volatility. Keep an eye on the voting results and SEC decisions to see how this unfolds.

What is expected in the development of LDO?

Lido DAO is moving forward with two important votes happening from October 15 to October 22, 2025:

1. Bridge Partnerships Vote – Deciding on partnerships to make stETH more accessible across different blockchain networks.
2. Validator Exits SNOP Vote – Updating rules for how node operators leave the network to improve security and decentralization.

Deep Dive

1. Bridge Partnerships Vote (October 15–22, 2025)

What’s happening:
Lido DAO members will vote on whether the Lido Ecosystem Foundation should partner with major blockchain bridges like Wormhole or LayerZero. These bridges help move stETH (a token representing staked Ethereum) between different blockchain networks, making it easier for users to access decentralized finance (DeFi) services across platforms (TradingView).

Why it matters:

• Positive impact: New bridge partnerships could increase the use of stETH, which may lead to higher demand for LDO tokens used in governance and boost the overall protocol revenue.
• Potential risks: If these partnerships don’t work out or don’t attract enough liquidity, it could hurt community confidence.

2. Validator Exits SNOP Vote (October 15–22, 2025)

What’s happening:
This vote focuses on updating the rules for how node operators (validators) exit the network. The goal is to reduce risks of centralization and make it easier for new operators to join by clarifying exit procedures and adding protections against penalties (TradingView).

Why it matters:

• Positive impact: Better governance around validator exits can help keep the network decentralized and increase trust in stETH.
• Potential risks: If the rules are too strict, they might discourage new validators from joining, which could slow down network growth.

Conclusion

Lido DAO is focusing on expanding stETH’s reach across different blockchains and improving how validators operate to keep the network secure and decentralized. The results of these votes will influence how useful stETH is and how well Lido can avoid centralization risks. Looking ahead, changes in Ethereum’s staking environment will likely shape LDO’s future plans beyond 2025.

What updates are there in the LDO code base?

Lido DAO’s software received important governance updates and technical improvements in Q3 2025.

1. Dual Governance Launch (June 30, 2025) – stETH holders now have the power to block or delay proposals, reducing risks of governance takeovers.
2. Triggerable Withdrawals (July 23, 2025) – Anyone can now initiate validator exits through smart contracts, making unstaking easier.
3. CSM v2 Rollout (July 21, 2025) – Increased staking limits per node operator and new tools to encourage broader community participation.

Deep Dive

1. Dual Governance Launch (June 30, 2025)

What it is: Dual Governance adds a new system where holders of stETH (a token representing staked Ethereum) can slow down or stop governance proposals if they disagree. This feature was approved by the community and activated on the blockchain on July 4, 2025.

Here’s how it works:

• If 1% of stETH is locked in opposition, the proposal is delayed by 5 to 45 days.
• If 10% of stETH is locked, governance is paused until those opposing leave the system.

Why it matters: This update is positive for Lido DAO (LDO) because it gives more power to stETH holders, making hostile takeovers harder and increasing trust in the platform’s decentralized decision-making.
(Lido Finance)

2. Triggerable Withdrawals (July 23, 2025)

What it is: Following Ethereum Improvement Proposal 7002, this feature allows anyone to trigger validator exits through Lido’s withdrawal smart contract. Previously, only node operators could initiate these exits.

This change removes the need for permission from node operators and aligns with Ethereum’s evolving rules for validator exits.

Why it matters: This update is neutral to positive for LDO. It makes it easier for users to unstake their assets, which could attract more participants. However, easier withdrawals might reduce demand for stETH if many users decide to exit at once.
(Lido Finance)

3. CSM v2 Rollout (July 21, 2025)

What it is: The Community Staking Module version 2 raises the maximum stake per node operator to 10% of Lido’s total stake. It also introduces a Community Staker Identification Framework to encourage more diverse validator participation.

This update aims to reduce centralization risks by spreading staking power more evenly. It also improves how rewards are distributed and adds protections against penalties.

Why it matters: This is a positive step for LDO because it supports decentralization, a core value of Ethereum. More community involvement can help make the protocol stronger and more resilient over time.
(Lido Finance)

Conclusion

Lido DAO’s recent updates focus on making the platform more decentralized, secure, and user-friendly. Dual Governance and Triggerable Withdrawals tackle key governance and usability challenges, while CSM v2 promotes broader community participation. As competition in liquid staking grows, these changes could help Lido maintain its leadership in the space.

Why did the price of LDO go up?

Lido DAO (LDO) increased by 2.61% in the last 24 hours, despite a 1.05% drop over the past week and an 18.92% decline over the past month. This short-term gain is linked to positive news about an ETF and ongoing governance votes, although overall market caution is keeping the momentum in check.

1. VanEck’s stETH ETF Filing – The first U.S. ETF proposal for Lido-staked Ethereum is driving interest in the protocol.
2. Governance Votes – Two important proposals about validator exits and bridge partnerships suggest potential improvements.
3. Technical Rebound – Prices are holding above short-term averages, even though some technical indicators remain weak.

Deep Dive

1. VanEck’s stETH ETF Catalyst (Positive Outlook)

Overview:
On October 16, 2025, VanEck filed for a Lido Staked Ethereum ETF. This ETF would allow investors to gain regulated exposure to Ethereum staking rewards through Lido’s platform, which currently controls nearly 60% of the ETH staking market.

Why it matters:

• Institutional interest: VanEck manages $133 billion in assets, and their ETF could bring significant new investment into Lido’s ecosystem.
• Revenue growth: More stETH users mean higher fees for Lido, which takes 10% of staking rewards.
• Market sentiment: The ETF filing helped LDO’s price rise, even though stETH itself dropped by 5.73% after the announcement.

What to watch: The SEC’s approval process, which now takes about 75 days, and any competing ETF applications.

2. Governance Votes on Protocol Upgrades (Mixed Outlook)

Overview:
Lido DAO is currently voting on two proposals until October 22:

1. Validator Exits SNOP Vote: Aims to make it easier and safer for node operators to leave the network.
2. Bridge Partnerships Vote: Seeks to expand Lido’s reach by connecting with other blockchains.

Why it matters:

• Better operations: Smoother validator exits could attract more operators, improving network security and decentralization.
• New revenue streams: Bridge partnerships could increase the use of stETH and generate more fees.
• Market caution: The results are uncertain, and past governance votes have only led to short-term price gains.

What to watch: Voter participation and final decisions by October 22.

3. Technical Rebound Despite Weak Signals (Neutral Outlook)

Overview:
LDO’s price has bounced back above its 7-day simple moving average ($0.888) and 30-day exponential moving average ($1.02). However, technical indicators like RSI (38.87) and MACD (-0.005) still suggest bearish momentum. The price is also facing resistance at the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level ($0.938).

Why it matters:

• Short-term bounce: The recent price increase may be a relief rally after overselling, but trading volume is down 19.41%, raising questions about how long it will last.
• Risk of decline: If the price falls below $0.90, it could retest the yearly low near $0.70.

What to watch: A price close above $0.938 would be a strong sign of a potential bullish reversal.

Conclusion

LDO’s recent gains are driven by optimism around the VanEck ETF and progress in governance proposals. However, broader market challenges, including cautious investor sentiment and outflows from altcoins, are limiting further upside. Key question: Can the ETF news help Lido recover from its nearly 38% drop over the past 60 days, especially if Bitcoin continues to dominate the market? Keep an eye on SEC updates and the results of the governance votes this week.