Rocket Pool Saturn One upgrade replaces minipools with megapools

Megapools replace minipools

The Saturn One upgrade, which went live on February 18, 2026, changes how node operators manage Ethereum validators. This upgrade replaces the previous 8 ETH minipool requirements with 4 ETH Megapools. Under this new system, a single smart contract per operator manages multiple validators. This consolidation reduces the ongoing and upfront gas costs for claims and setup. Because the protocol uses Forced Delegate Upgrades, the system no longer maintains backwards compatibility with older minipool delegates, which gives the pDAO more flexibility to improve Rocket Pool over time without being hindered by legacy code. The 4 ETH Megapool configuration provides 35% commission per ETH bonded, which is a 2.3x improvement over the 15% commission from the legacy 8 ETH minipool structure. The 4 ETH bond allows for 28 ETH in matched deposits per validator, whereas the 8 ETH bond allowed for only 24 ETH. The Saturn 0 upgrade, deployed in October 2024, was the precursor to these changes. Saturn 0 removed the mandatory RPL bond for new minipools and shifted RPL to earn ETH via a commission share. Rocket Pool validators remain at 32 ETH, and the protocol is designed around 32 ETH per validator. To enter the queue, any operator must complete a 1 ETH prestake to lock a position before providing the full 31 ETH deposit.

RPL tokenomics shifts to revenue sharing

The Saturn One update moves the RPL token from an inflationary model to an ETH-accruing revenue share model. This change links the value of RPL to protocol usage and Ethereum network demand. Node operators who stake RPL in their megapool earn 9% of the protocol revenue. This revenue comes from the Universal Adjustable Revenue Split (UARS), which divides protocol ETH revenue from node operator commissions into four groups. The pDAO manages these proportions through governance. The split includes a 5% base commission for node operators, a 9% voter share for RPL stakers, a 0% pDAO treasury share, and the remainder for rETH holders. In February 2026, RPL traded near $2.79 following a 63% rally. While RPL rewards for node operators include this new 9% share, they also continue to receive inflationary emissions. If you manage a node, you should consider how these shifting rewards affect your long-term strategy. Can the protocol maintain this momentum as inflation disappears?

The RPL token acts as the governance and security heartbeat of the ecosystem. Node operators bond RPL as insurance collateral against slashing. While RPL staking is optional, it provides boosted ETH commission returns. Bullish forecasts for 2026 suggest RPL could reach $3.33, though a bear case points to $1.49 if market sentiment shifts. Unlike Lido’s stETH or Coinbase’s cbETH, rETH acts as a value-accruing token. Rewards accumulate in the value of the rETH token itself. Users can mint rETH with as little as 0.01 ETH, providing immediate liquidity.

Deployment mechanics and queue priority

Rocket Pool uses two types of queues for validator creation: standard and express. The express queue provides priority to existing node operators. These operators receive express queue tickets based on their historical bonded ETH. The protocol provides one ticket for every 4 ETH bonded in legacy minipools. RPIP-75 modified these allocations to change how new validators enter the express queue. The base provision for express tickets fell to 0, while the express queue rate increased from 2 to 4. This change aims to provide a more reliable migration pathway for operators moving to megapools. This modification also prevents sybil attacks where megapools might attempt to clog the priority queue. The process for creating a validator remains a two-step method involving a 1 ETH prestake and then the full 31 ETH deposit to the beacon chain. The redesign aims to prevent an outflow of node operator ETH during the transition. For those entering the network, the standard queue remains available, though it lacks the priority access granted to legacy operators.

Guardrails and protocol safety

The pDAO manages several guardrail parameters to protect the protocol and its users. RPIP-58 limits the weekly number of MEV penalties the oDAO applies to minipools. RPIP-61 limits how often the oDAO changes the rETH exchange rate. RPIP-60 enforces a delay between a successful protocol upgrade vote and the execution of that upgrade. This delay provides users time to exit if they disagree with protocol changes. The security council also holds the power to veto any protocol upgrade. To protect liquidity, a proportion of ETH from new rETH mints flows into the rETH contract instead of the deposit pool. This creates a buffer threshold of 1% of rETH TVL to prioritize rETH withdrawal liquidity. The protocol also underwent multiple rounds of audits by teams like Consensys Diligence, Sigma Prime, and Trail of Bits. The protocol maintains an active Immunefi bug bounty program with rewards reaching $150,000 for critical vulnerabilities. The pDAO uses the commission controller to adjust revenue splits within predefined bounds. This allows the protocol to remain competitive as market conditions change.