Rocket Pool has released Smart Node v1.15.7, a major update featuring critical client upgrades, oDAO health check fixes, and a major consolidation of legacy repositories into the main smartnode repo for easier future development. Node operators who upgrade are eligible to claim a commemorative POAP. Release details and update instructions are available here: https://github.com/rocket-pool/smartnode/releases/tag/v1.15.7.

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.

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.

The Rocket Pool Smartnode v1.14.0 release includes mandatory client updates for Nethermind, Prysm, Besu, and Reth, alongside Smart Node changes such as removing the 16 ETH minipool option, enhancing deposit prompts, and optimizing RPC calls for oDAO nodes. Minor adjustments were also made to accommodate Saturn-0 and update messages. Shortly after, version 1.14.1 was released to address a breaking change in Prysm and update Lodestar, which is only necessary for Prysm users. Node operators that updated within 72 hours received a POAP.

The contributors to the Rocket Pool #support channel work in the shadows, helping to keep the validators from Rocket Pool node operators functional while protecting us all from scammers. In October, 2024 the community shared stories of why they are thankful for #support.

Rocket Pool has released v1.13.10 of the Smart Node, a recommended update featuring important bug fixes, client updates, and minor enhancements. This version includes updates to Geth, Besu, Reth, Teku, Nimbus, and Nethermind, along with new MEV-Boost support for the Holesky testnet and optimizations for oDAO RPC calls. Additional improvements include Reth peer parameter controls, cleanup for V10, and fixes to various issues. Rocket Pool node operators that were the first to upgrade received a POAP. This month's POAP was designed by talented Icelandic community member IcelandCalling.eth.

On September 23, 2024, the Constellation testnet officially went live! Constellation is a protocol built on Rocket Pool that enhances capital efficiency, boosts scalability, and mitigates asset concentration risk. Node operators who participated in setting up Constellation on Holesky, helping test one of the most impactful products built on Rocket Pool, were awarded a POAP as recognition for their contribution.

As Rocket Pool launches to a new beginning with RP v2, the community takes a trip down memory lane. In the POAP, Stakeman wearing new merch from the soon to be RP Store, represents the future memories we will make as he supports our trip down memory lane for the Rocket Pool community. We are here (at the star in the center) celebrating this amazing crypto-journey and ready to Face Down any challenges together. Familiar faces and the colorful situations we’ve found ourselves in adorn the landscape of our journey. To get this POAP, community members reminisce (in the discord) over past events.

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 August 5, a shaky market led to super low prices for the RPL (Rocket Pool) token. As the token dipped below $10, community members shared the state of their portfolios. This POAP was given to members who participated in and witnessed this catastrophic market event.