Smart Node v1.17.0 is now live, bringing major client updates—most of which raise the default block gas limit to 45M—and a new pruning feature that allows node operators to reduce storage needs by enabling partial history expiry. This is a recommended update for all Node Operators. Full details and upgrade instructions: https://github.com/rocket-pool/smartnode/releases/tag/v1.17.0.

In July 2025, the Rocket Pool community comes together to celebrate Samus, a cherished member who has just become a dad. Community members joined a thread to share their congratulations and offer kind words of support as he embarks on this exciting new chapter.

This thread was a space for Rocket Pool believers to share why they were still here—what they believed in about Rocket Pool and RPL, what it felt like to hold through the lows, and how they could stay positive and proactive. It offered support, reflection, and encouragement, grounded in shared values around decentralization and Ethereum staking. The focus stayed on honest experiences, not blame or mockery—just voices from those still building and believing. Participants received a POAP.

A special guest from Factor.fi shared some exciting DeFi strategies along with details about their incentivised feedback campaign. Join the Rocket Pool community calls on Discord at discord.gg/rocketpool

On March 26, 2025, at Epoch 2048, the Hoodi Testnet upgraded to the Pectra fork. If the upgrade is successful it will lend a strong signal that mainnet is ready for the Pectra upgrade.

The Ethereum community is ecstatic to welcome Danny Ryan as a co-founder of Etherealize. Danny has shown his prowess as a leader, diplomat, and problem solver in the Ethereum ecosystem, and now he'll lay the groundwork to onboard the world to Ethereum. ​Etherealize is an Ethereum Foundation-backed organization dedicated to accelerating institutional adoption of the Ethereum ecosystem by providing research, content, and products tailored for financial institutions. POAP development by superphiz, art by shfryn. All funds from this POAP go directly to etherealize @ etherealize.eth. This POAP is available in two variations, a green ring for an 0.001 Ether donation, and a gold ring for 0.1 Ether donation to Etherealize. Go Danny Go!

It’s been a turbulent week for crypto, with RPL and other altcoins continuing to struggle as the token price hovers near $5. While the market remains uncertain, Rocket Pool has exciting upgrades on the way, such as Saturn on the horizon. Until then, the price action will be a bumpy ride. Community members within the Rocket Pool Discord that share their struggles receive a POAP.

This POAP commemorates the mergening of /r/ethfinance and /r/ethereum. Now the hallowed Ethfinance Daily is a front-page feature within /r/ethereum! Collectors of this POAP made a donation of ~$5 of ETH to the Protocol Guild. /r/ethereum is now a mullet: Ethereum tech on the front page and price action (and more) in the daily. Funds will be collected by the moderator team and distributed directly to the Protocol Guild Multisig address. Learn more about Protocol Guild here: https://linktr.ee/protocolguild