Why is Staked Ethereum (stETH) De-Pegging from ETH? Understanding the Risks and Reasons
The crypto market has experienced significant volatility, and one contributing factor has been the de-pegging of Lido Staked Ethereum (stETH) from Ethereum (ETH). This article explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, its impact, and what it means for the future of DeFi.
What is stETH?
What Is stETH? With its liquid staking, Lido allows users to initially lock ETH to receive the corresponding amount of stETH. Exchanged in the ratio of 1:1 with Ethereum. stETH is a token representing staked Ether on the Lido platform. It's designed to mirror the value of ETH and, ideally, should trade at a 1:1 ratio.
The stETH De-Peg: A Major Concern
The DeFi space is facing a sharp drop in valuation amid concerns over the Celsius suspension and the Lido-staked Ethereum (stETH) de-pegging. Lido Staked Ethereum (stETH), a key factor in the ongoing crypto crash, widened its rift with Ethereum and fell below $1,000 on Wednesday.
Key Reasons for the De-Peg
Several factors have contributed to the stETH de-peg:
- Withdrawal Uncertainty: Currently, users cannot directly unstake their ETH for stETH through Lido. Los usuarios podrán canjear stETH por ETH unstaked cuando Beacon Chain entre en funcionamiento. Además, pueden utilizar stETH como garantía para pedir préstamos. This creates an imbalance, as stETH can be sold, but ETH cannot be immediately withdrawn, putting downward pressure on stETH's price.
- Market Volatility and Fear: Broader market downturns and uncertainty surrounding the Merge can exacerbate selling pressure on stETH.
- Liquidity Issues: Concerns about liquidity within the stETH market can lead to further de-pegging as investors rush to exit positions.
- Reliance on the Merge: Liquid staking firms could default on their Ether obligations if The Merge does not happen. The anticipated Ethereum Merge, crucial for ETH 2.0 and enabling stETH redemptions, introduces a degree of uncertainty. Delays or complications could further impact stETH's price.
The Extent of the De-Peg
For one, Lido’s staked Ether (stETH) has deviated from ETH by 0.954 ETH, or by around 4.5%. According to Dune Analytics, this is the highest deviance since late June. stETH dropped to as low 7 de sept. de 2025
Why Use Liquid Staking?
So, why do DeFi users use liquid staking? The reason is that it allows their tokens to remain liquid, while the underlying asset is staked for yield and securing the network. Liquid staking provides the opportunity to earn rewards while maintaining the flexibility to trade or use their assets in other DeFi applications.
Potential Consequences
The continued de-pegging of stETH from ETH poses several risks:
- Liquidation of Positions: Leveraged positions using stETH as collateral could face liquidation.
- Erosion of Confidence: The de-peg can erode trust in DeFi platforms and the broader crypto ecosystem.
- Further Market Instability: The next big crypto crash could be around the corner due to Lido Staked Ether. The stETH situation can trigger further market volatility and contagion.
Conclusion
The stETH de-peg is a complex issue with various contributing factors. Monitoring the progress of the Ethereum Merge and overall market sentiment is crucial to understanding the future trajectory of stETH and its relationship with ETH. While liquid staking offers attractive benefits, it also comes with inherent risks that investors must carefully consider.