Ethereum withdrawals are now live on the Lido Protocol, empowering users to unstake their stETH directly through the Lido interface at a 1:1 ratio. Whether you're holding stETH or wstETH, the process is designed to be intuitive, secure, and transparent. This comprehensive guide answers the most common questions about Ethereum withdrawals on Lido—covering everything from how to initiate a withdrawal to understanding withdrawal speeds, penalties, and the unique role of Lido’s withdrawal NFTs.
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Understanding Ethereum Withdrawals on Lido
What Are Ethereum Withdrawals?
Ethereum withdrawals allow users to unstake their stETH or wrapped stETH (wstETH) and receive ETH in return. When you withdraw stETH, you get ETH at a 1:1 rate. For wstETH, the protocol automatically unwraps it into stETH behind the scenes before processing the withdrawal. This seamless integration ensures a smooth user experience across both token types.
How Does the Withdrawal Process Work?
The withdrawal process consists of two clear steps:
- Request – Submit your withdrawal request via the Lido dApp by specifying the amount of stETH or wstETH you'd like to unstake.
- Claim – Once your request has been processed and sufficient ETH is available, you can claim your ETH directly to your wallet.
This two-phase system ensures fairness and efficiency across all users, especially during periods of high demand.
How Do I Initiate a Withdrawal?
To begin, visit the official Lido withdrawal portal at stake.lido.fi/withdrawals/request. Select your desired amount of stETH or wstETH, then click "Request withdrawal." Confirm the transaction using your connected wallet. When your request becomes eligible for claiming, return to the Claim tab and finalize the process.
Can I Convert stETH or wstETH to ETH?
Yes. Both stETH and wstETH can be converted to ETH through the withdrawal process. Keep in mind that wstETH is first unwrapped into stETH, so your withdrawal amount will be displayed in stETH terms even if you initiated it with wstETH.
Why Is My wstETH Withdrawal Displayed in stETH?
When you request to withdraw wstETH, the protocol automatically converts it into stETH as part of the underlying process. Since the actual unstaking occurs at the stETH level, your pending request is shown in stETH. This is normal behavior and does not affect the final ETH amount you’ll receive.
Why Is the Claimable Amount Different From My Request?
Occasionally, the amount of ETH you can claim may differ slightly from your original request. This discrepancy can result from slashing penalties or validator malfunctions that impact the total staking rewards pool. These penalties are distributed across all stakers, which may reduce the overall claimable balance.
Are There Minimum or Maximum Withdrawal Limits?
Yes. The minimum withdrawal amount is 100 wei (a tiny fraction of stETH), while the maximum per single request is 1,000 stETH. If you need to withdraw more than 1,000 stETH, the system will automatically split your request into multiple batches—yet you’ll only pay one gas fee for the entire operation.
Is There a Fee for Withdrawing?
Lido does not charge a withdrawal fee. However, standard Ethereum network gas fees apply when confirming transactions through your wallet. These fees fluctuate based on network congestion but are paid directly to miners or validators, not to Lido.
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Withdrawal Speeds and Processing Times
How Long Does an Ethereum Withdrawal Take?
Processing time varies depending on current demand and network conditions. On the Request tab of the Lido interface, you’ll see an estimated waiting time for new requests. After submitting, you can monitor your position in line via the Claim tab, which shows real-time progress toward eligibility.
This transparency helps users decide whether to wait for a direct withdrawal or opt for an instant swap via decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregators.
What Factors Affect Withdrawal Time?
Key factors include:
- The total volume of pending withdrawal requests
- The rate of new ETH deposits into Lido
- Ongoing staking rewards being generated
- Network-wide validator performance
Higher demand typically leads to longer queues, but Lido’s architecture is built to scale efficiently.
What Is Turbo Mode?
Turbo Mode is Lido’s default withdrawal processing state. In this mode, available ETH from incoming deposits and rewards is used to fulfill withdrawal requests quickly—often within 1 to 5 days. This enables fast, efficient unstaking under normal operating conditions.
What Is Bunker Mode?
Bunker Mode is an emergency protocol activated during extreme scenarios that threaten the health of the staking pool—such as mass validator slashings or widespread downtime. While withdrawals still proceed in Bunker Mode, they are processed more slowly to preserve capital stability and ensure fair distribution.
What Triggers Bunker Mode?
Bunker Mode activates under three critical conditions:
- Large-scale slashing events affecting many validators
- Significant drops in network rewards due to validator penalties
- Scenarios where protocol solvency or reward accuracy is at risk
Even in these rare cases, users retain full access to their funds—just with adjusted timing for safety.
Rewards and Penalties
What Is Slashing?
Slashing is a penalty imposed on validators for malicious behavior or prolonged inactivity (e.g., double-signing blocks or going offline). When slashing occurs, affected stakes lose value, and losses are proportionally shared among all stakers in the pool—including those who initiated withdrawals.
While rare, slashing can slightly reduce the final claimable amount due to its impact on overall pool equity.
Do I Earn Staking Rewards After Requesting a Withdrawal?
No. Once you submit a withdrawal request, the staked assets (stETH/wstETH) included in that request stop earning rewards. Only your remaining balance—those tokens not marked for withdrawal—continues to accrue yield.
If Bunker Mode Activates After I Request, Will I Wait Longer?
Yes. While typical wait times range from 1–5 days in Turbo Mode, activation of Bunker Mode may extend processing times significantly. However, your request remains secure and will be fulfilled in due course.
The Lido Withdrawal NFT
What Is the Lido Withdrawal NFT?
Every withdrawal request generates a unique non-fungible token (NFT) that represents your claim. This NFT is automatically minted upon request submission and serves as proof of your pending withdrawal. It visually updates when your claim becomes ready.
Why Isn’t My NFT Updating When Ready to Claim?
Some wallets do not support dynamic NFT image changes. If your NFT doesn’t update automatically, try manually refreshing it by importing the contract address and token ID into your wallet interface. This often triggers the visual update to “Ready to Claim.”
Why Can’t I See the NFT in Mobile MetaMask?
Currently, MetaMask mobile does not display dynamic NFTs properly. To monitor your request status, use the desktop browser extension version of MetaMask or another wallet that supports ERC-721 metadata updates.
Can I Sell My Lido Withdrawal NFT?
Yes—Lido withdrawal NFTs are tradable on platforms like OpenSea. However, each NFT holds intrinsic value equal to the ETH claim it represents. Selling below redemption value results in a direct financial loss. We strongly advise against transferring or selling your NFT unless fully aware of its worth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I cancel my withdrawal request after submitting it?
A: No. Once submitted, withdrawal requests cannot be canceled. However, you can choose when to claim—there's no expiration on unclaimed requests.
Q: Will I lose money if slashing occurs during my withdrawal queue time?
A: Potentially yes. Slashing impacts the overall staking pool equity, which may reduce the final ETH amount you receive upon claiming.
Q: Is it better to withdraw through Lido or swap stETH on a DEX?
A: It depends on urgency. Direct withdrawal ensures full principal but takes time. Swapping offers instant liquidity but may involve slippage or fees.
Q: Does wstETH earn more than stETH?
A: No—they represent the same underlying asset. wstETH is simply a wrapped version that auto-compounds rewards; both track ETH value equally.
Q: Can I delegate my NFT to someone else to claim for me?
A: No. Only the wallet that initiated the request can claim the ETH. The NFT cannot be authorized externally for claiming.
Q: Are withdrawals taxable events?
A: In most jurisdictions, converting staked tokens back to ETH is considered a taxable disposal. Consult a tax professional for guidance.
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