MetaMask has introduced its Pooled Staking feature today, allowing users to stake any amount of Ether (ETH) directly from their wallets and earn rewards. This initiative, developed by Consensys, broadens participation in Ethereum's security, which was previously accessible only to those holding 32 ETH or more.

According to Matthieu Saint Olive, Senior Product Manager at Consensys, "With Pooled Staking, MetaMask users now have an easy way to stake ETH in enterprise-grade validators while maintaining full control of their ETH, earning rewards and making Ethereum more secure." The aim is to democratize access to staking rewards, especially for ETH holders who own less than the required threshold.

Initially, MetaMask Pooled Staking is available to selected users, with plans for expansion into the US and UK markets. Powered by Consensys Staking, the service relies on a robust infrastructure with over 33,000 hosted Ethereum validators across multiple clouds, regions, and clients. Currently, more than 1 million ETH is staked with zero slashed validators and a participation rate of over 99.9%.

ETH staking has become integral to the Ethereum ecosystem, with 27% of the token's total supply locked in smart contracts, amounting to nearly 33 million ETH, as per data from Nansen. Additionally, the liquid restaking trend has gained traction, representing over 34% of the total value locked in decentralized finance (DeFi).