Bitwise has completed the first validator consolidation under Lido Core as a Curated Module v2 node operator, marking a major upgrade to Ethereum’s staking layer.

This CMv2 upgrade is expected to reduce the computational burden on Ethereum’s consensus layer by lowering validator counts and attestation traffic, potentially improving finality speed and overall network efficiency.

The upgrade is enabled by Ethereum’s Pectra hard fork and EIP-7251, which introduce balance transfers between validators without full exits or redeposits.

Bitwise’s move is backed by its 2026 acquisition of Chorus One, providing the technical capability and existing ties to Lido’s ecosystem.

CMv2 consolidates legacy 0x01 validators into the 0x02 format, enabling up to 2,048 ETH per validator and reducing Lido’s total validator count by about one-third while cutting attestation messages per epoch by roughly 29%.

The Lido DAO approved the CMv2 migration framework in July 2026, with initial consolidations occurring on mainnet in September 2026 and full migration expected to wrap up by the first quarter of 2027.

Bitwise did not disclose how many validators were consolidated or how much stake moved in the initial phase.

Bonding requirements now apply to all 34 curated operators, increasing capital-at-risk obligations for participants in Lido’s staking infrastructure.