Welcome to the KernelDAO Ecosystem! In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through staking your Ethereum (ETH) in Kelp, KernelDAO’s liquid restaking protocol, to earn rewards while keeping your assets liquid with rsETH. This is perfect for beginners looking to maximize DeFi yields. Let’s dive in

What is Kelp?

Kelp is a leading liquid restaking protocol within KernelDAO, allowing you to restake ETH or liquid staking tokens (LSTs) like stETH or ETHx to secure multiple networks and earn rewards. Your staked assets are represented by rsETH, a liquid token usable across 40+ DeFi platforms like Aave and Balancer. With over $2B in TVL, Kelp is a trusted way to boost your crypto earnings

Why Stake with Kelp?

Liquidity: rsETH lets you use your staked assets in DeFi without locking them up.

Rewards: Earn staking and restaking rewards, plus potential airdrops.

Simplicity: User-friendly interface for beginners.

Security: Audited by top firms like ChainSecurity and SigmaPrime.

Prerequisites

A Web3 wallet (e.g., MetaMask) with ETH or supported LSTs (stETH, ETHx).

Some ETH for gas fees on the Ethereum network.

Basic knowledge of connecting a wallet to a dApp.

Step-by-Step Guide to Stake in Kelp

Step 1: Visit the Kelp Website

Go to kerneldao.com and click on the “Kelp” section or directly visit the Kelp dApp.

Step 2: Connect Your Wallet

Click “Connect Wallet” in the top-right corner.

Select MetaMask (or your preferred Web3 wallet).

Ensure your wallet is set to the Ethereum Mainnet.

Approve the connection in MetaMask.

Step 3: Choose Your Asset.

On the Kelp dApp dashboard, select the “Deposit” tab.

Choose the asset you want to stake: ETH, stETH (from Lido), rsETH (from Kelp), or ETHx (from Stader Labs).

Step 4: Approve and Deposit

Enter the amount of ETH or LSTs you want to stake.

Click “Approve” to allow the Kelp smart contract to interact with your tokens. Confirm the transaction in MetaMask (this incurs a gas fee).

Once approved, click “Deposit” and confirm the second transaction in MetaMask.

Your assets are now staked, and you’ll receive rsETH tokens in your wallet, representing your staked position.

Step 5: Track Your Rewards

Visit the “My Holdings” section in the Kelp dApp to see your rsETH balance and accrued rewards.

Kelp automatically allocates your staked assets to secure services like EigenLayer, earning you staking rewards, restaking rewards, and potential airdrops.

Step 6: Use rsETH in DeFi (Optional)

Your rsETH is a liquid token! You can:

Provide liquidity on platforms like Aave or Balancer.

Trade rsETH on decentralized exchanges.

Hold it to earn ongoing rewards.Check the “Overview” or “Strategy Reports” on the Kelp dApp for integration options.

Step 7: Withdraw (When Needed)

Go to the “Withdraw” tab in the Kelp dApp.

Enter the amount of rsETH to withdraw.

Submit the request. Withdrawals take 3-4 days to process and will appear in the “Claims” section.

Once processed, your ETH or LSTs are returned to your wallet. Note: You won’t earn rewards while in the withdrawal queue.

Tips for Success

Start Small: Test with a small amount to get comfortable with the process.

Check Gas Fees: Ethereum gas fees can be high, so stake during low-fee periods.

Monitor Airdrops: Kelp users may qualify for airdrops (e.g., KERNEL tokens). Check KernelDAO’s official channels for updates.

Stay Safe: Only use the official Kelp website (kerneldao.com). Verify smart contract addresses before approving transactions.

Risks to Understand

Smart Contract Risk: Despite audits, no contract is 100% safe. Only stake what you can afford to lose.

Slashing Risk: If validators misbehave, a portion of your staked assets could be lost.

Market Risk: The value of rsETH and rewards can fluctuate.

Why Kelp Matters

Kelp’s integration with KernelDAO’s ecosystem (Kernel, Kelp, Gain) makes it a powerful tool for earning passive income in DeFi. With $2B+ TVL and 400,000+ restakers, it’s a trusted choice for maximizing your ETH’s potential.

Get Involved.

Follow KernelDAO on X or join their community forums for the latest updates on Kelp and airdrop opportunities. Ready to restake smarter? Start with Kelp today.

Disclaimer: Crypto investments carry risks. Do your own research before staking. This tutorial is for educational purposes only.