Opening Vision
The @cosmoshub ecosystem is a hub of innovation, but it has long faced a critical dilemma: users must choose between staking tokens for secure, passive yield or leveraging them in DeFi protocols for higher, albeit riskier, returns. @stride_zone emerges as the solution to this tradeoff, revolutionizing how liquidity and staking coexist. By offering liquid staking tokens (LSTs), Stride allows users to unlock their staked assets and deploy them seamlessly across DeFi platforms.
Stride’s mission is clear: to empower ecosystems by providing secure, neutral, and efficient liquid staking solutions without competing with existing protocols. Their efforts ensure that users can maximize their token utility without compromising on security or yield.
High-Level Mission Points
- Provide seamless, multi-chain liquid staking solutions within Cosmos.
- Enhance cross-chain compatibility and interoperability.
- Offer robust security through Interchain Security (ICS).
- Foster a vibrant, engaged community of users and developers.
Background & Industry Context
Launched in 2022, Stride is an L1 app chain in the Cosmos ecosystem. It leverages the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol for unparalleled cross-chain functionality. Unlike traditional staking methods, where tokens are locked and inaccessible, Stride’s liquid staking model allows users to stake tokens and receive corresponding stTokens, such as stATOM or stOSMO, which can then be utilized across DeFi platforms.
Stride is also deeply integrated with @celestia, a modular blockchain that enhances scalability and flexibility. The Celestia Light Node Challenge, for instance, exemplifies Stride’s commitment to fostering participation and innovation in blockchain technology.
Stride’s origin story reflects the expertise and vision of its core team. @interchainriley, @shellvish, and @aidan0x – the founders, transitioned from traditional finance and engineering backgrounds into crypto, motivated by the opportunity to solve liquidity inefficiencies in staking.
Their inspiration stemmed from recognizing the limitations of traditional staking and the potential for liquid staking to revolutionize the Cosmos ecosystem.
$STRD Token: Governance and Rewards
The $STRD token is the native governance token of the Stride platform. Holders of $STRD tokens are granted the ability to participate in governance decisions that shape the direction of the protocol. This includes decisions like validator selection, protocol upgrades, and other crucial decisions that affect the Stride ecosystem. In addition to governance, $STRD holders can stake their tokens to earn additional rewards and participate in the decentralized management of the platform.
Technical Innovation & Architecture
Stride’s architecture is designed for scalability and security, making it a cornerstone of the Cosmos ecosystem.
Core Technology Breakdown
- Liquid Staking Tokens (stTokens): Represent staked assets, enabling users to earn staking rewards while retaining liquidity for DeFi activities.
- Stride Zone: The main platform for staking and minting stTokens.
- Host Zones: Cosmos chains integrated with Stride for staking services.
Technical Specifications
- Interchain Security (ICS): Stride adopted ICS from the Cosmos Hub, leveraging the $2.3 billion economic security of the Hub’s validator set.
- IBC Protocol: Facilitates seamless cross-chain transactions and interactions.
- Neutral Delegation: Ensures fair validator selection across host zones, promoting decentralization.
Unique Solutions
Stride’s copy-staking feature allows host-zone chains to adopt neutral delegation strategies, further enhancing blockchain security and decentralization. Additionally, Stride’s upcoming integration with Namada’s multi-asset shielded pool underscores its emphasis on data protection and privacy.
Stride is also expanding to @berachain, leveraging its liquid staking expertise to unlock liquidity for stBGT. This expansion aligns with Stride’s broader vision of increasing accessibility and liquidity across multiple blockchain ecosystems.
Furthermore, Stride has prioritized security through internal safeguards and third-party audits, ensuring that user funds remain protected at all times. The system includes rate-limiting mechanisms, formalized testing processes, and ongoing security evaluations.
Ecosystem Integration & Applications
Stride integrates deeply with the Cosmos ecosystem and beyond, positioning itself as a key player in cross-chain DeFi.
Partnerships and Integrations
- Collaborations with Osmosis, Umee, and Neutron for liquidity and DeFi utility.
- Supported tokens include ATOM, OSMO, TIA, INJ, and 14+ others, with plans for further expansion.
- Partnership with Celestia to establish stTIA as modular money within the ecosystem.
- Stargaze collaboration to launch Astra, a Celestia rollup with permissionless contract deployment.
- Expansion into Berachain
Protocol Interactions
- stTokens are utilized across various DeFi platforms, including lending on Umee, trading on Osmosis, and collateralizing stablecoins.
- The Hyperlane bridge, launched in May 2024, enables seamless token transfers within and beyond the Cosmos ecosystem.
- The introduction of stBGT allows users within Berachain to earn staking rewards while maintaining liquidity for DeFi use cases such as liquidity provisioning and leveraged yield strategies.
Real-World Impact
Stride’s contributions to the Cosmos ecosystem are measurable and significant.
Protocol Performance
- Market Share: Dominates Cosmos liquid staking with a 90-95% share for key tokens.
- TVL: As of 2025, Stride’s Total Value Locked (TVL) stands at $85 million.
Economic Benefits
- stTokens enable users to simultaneously earn staking rewards and DeFi yields, maximizing capital efficiency.
- The introduction of modular money like stTIA promotes liquidity across chains.
- The launch of stBGT further increases yield opportunities within Berachain’s ecosystem, opening avenues for governance participation and additional rewards.
Real-World Applications of Liquid Staking
Stride’s stTokens bring new possibilities to the table:
- Enhanced Liquidity: With stTokens like stATOM or stBGT, users can earn staking rewards while keeping their assets liquid for other uses.
- Higher DeFi Potential: Stride integrates with DEXs and lending protocols, allowing users to unlock additional yield from their staked tokens.
For example, stBGT takes this concept further by offering:
- Premium Rewards: stBGT staking typically earns higher returns than traditional BGT staking, due to the unique design of Berachain’s ecosystem.
Flexibility for Liquidity Providers: By pairing stBGT with BERA and contributing to liquidity pools, users can earn rewards, qualify for STRD airdrops, and access future earning opportunities.
How stBGT Works
Earning and using stBGT mirrors the simplicity of Stride’s other liquid staking tokens but introduces unique benefits:
- Deposit Whitelisted Tokens: Users deposit eligible tokens from Berachain reward vaults into Stride’s platform.
- Receive stBGT: Instead of earning BGT directly, users receive stBGT tokens, which represent staked BGT.
- Manual Rewards: Unlike some staking mechanisms, stBGT rewards must be claimed manually, adding control and transparency.
The BGT associated with stBGT is staked with Berachain validators, securing the network and generating staking rewards.
How to Get Started with Stride and stBGT
Getting started with Stride is straightforward:
- Visit Stride’s platform and connect your wallet.
- Choose the tokens you’d like to stake and deposit them into Stride.
- Receive your liquid stTokens, such as stATOM, stOSMO, or stBGT.
- Use your stTokens in DeFi or stake them for additional rewards.
For stBGT users, additional strategies include:
- Providing Liquidity: Pair stBGT with BERA on Berachain’s DEX to earn rewards and qualify for STRD airdrops.
Staking for Simplicity: Stake stBGT to earn all the benefits of BGT staking without locking up your assets.
Community & Culture
Stride’s vibrant community plays a crucial role in its success.
Community Identity
- Over 17,000 active members on Discord and a thriving Reddit community.
- Frequent Twitter Spaces, AMAs, and educational content to engage users.
Unique Terminology
- “Stride Stride”: A humorous nod to making significant progress.
- “Liquid Legends”: A term celebrating top contributors and beneficiaries of Stride’s liquidity solutions.
Regional Communities
Stride’s global reach includes localized support and events, fostering inclusivity and diversity within its user base.
Stride also places significant emphasis on community engagement, as evidenced by active participation in governance, support for ecosystem growth, and transparency in decision-making processes.
Conclusion
Stride is more than a liquid staking platform; it is a foundational layer for the Cosmos DeFi ecosystem. By bridging the gap between staking and liquidity, Stride empowers users to maximize the utility of their assets while contributing to the security and decentralization of the network. With its innovative technology, active community, and ambitious roadmap, Stride is poised to make even greater strides in the blockchain space.
By introducing innovations like stBGT, Stride expands its impact on the Berachain ecosystem, offering users higher rewards and unparalleled versatility. With a focus on security, governance, and user-centric design, Stride ensures that staking doesn’t mean choosing between rewards and liquidity. Platforms like Stride are paving the way for a more dynamic and inclusive DeFi ecosystem—where everyone can stake smarter.
Ready to explore the possibilities? Dive into Stride and unlock the full potential of liquid staking today.