Rocket Pool has released v1.13.8 of the Smart Node. Smart Node 1.13.8 adds contribution guidelines, flags bloXroute Max Profit relay as censoring, supports configuring Nethermind's pruning, and auto-initializes voting power. It also removes the Eden Relay, improves voting command text, and adds a warning for uninitialized voting power during staking after the hotfix. Rocket Pool node operators that updated swiftly received a POAP.

On July 11, 2024, Rocket Pool released version 1.13.7 of the Smart Node. This recommended update includes client updates, bug fixes, and changes such as updating the Nethermind auto pruning threshold to 350 GB, fixing oDAO balances/prices submissions, deprecating node voting commands, and improving delegate and signaling-address wording. Node operators that updated quickly received a POAP.

The Rocket Pool Houston release delivered Protocol DAO on-chain voting. Shortly, the Protocol DAO will be able to vote on Snapshot for meta governance and vote on-chain to make protocol changes. Before Rocket Pool can enable Protocol DAO voting, node operators need to initialize their voting power in the new system and update their signaling address that is used to vote on Snapshot. Node operators that initialized their voting power by July 15 received a POAP.

Rocket Pool released v1.13.6 of the Smart Node, a recommended update for all users. This version includes important client updates, bug fixes, and new features. Node operators's can now use the command 'rocketpool pdao set-signalling-address' to connect your node voting power to the address that will be used to vote on Snapshot. Node operators that updated within 48 hours were given a POAP.

RPL Benefactor returned to the Rocket Pool #trading channel to share the good news that Thomasg had donated 1000 RPL to be distributed amongst the Rocket Pool community. The eligibility rules were: 1) 500 messages in this discord over 3 months (my discretion) 2) 10 rpl for good work and 5 rpl if i think you should work harder (my discretion) 3) dm me making your case and with your address. the stronger your case, the more likely you are to get 10 rpl. no nominations. 4) use this rpl to party for atlas Over 3 days the RPL Benefactor sent all 1000 RPL to jubilant members of the Rocket Pool Community. This POAP was distributed by rpl-benefactor.eth & Sleety. The POAP design is by Sleety.

On Dec 2nd, a new account joined the Rocket Pool Discord channel, 'rpl-benefactor'. The person offered three steps, 1) message the benefactor with information about what work you have done for Rocket Pool, 2) send your address, and 3) you would get RPL tokens depending on the work you did. Over the next five days, the benefactor distributed over 1000 RPL tokens to over 160 community members. This POAP commemorates the generosity of the Rocket Pool community. The benefactor's wallet was given 1000 RPL by superphiz who received the tokens from Patricio Worthalter. This POAP was created by Sleety and distributed by WaqWaqAttack.