Pocket Network is excited to now provide Rocket Pool Smartnodes with decentralized RPC endpoints to their ETH1 connection. With Pocket, Smartnodes can interface with Ethereum without the overhead of running their own GETH node or having to pay monthly for expensive infrastructure services. Just as Rocket Pool is decentralizing access to ETH2 staking, Pocket is decentralizing access to Ethereum RPC infrastructure.

How does this work?

Rocket Pool is a next-gen ETH2 staking protocol that allows anyone to participate in ETH2 validation rewards without needing to own the full 32 ETH. Rocket Pool staking is powered by Smartnodes which connects to both a ETH2 Validator and an ETH1 client.Pocket is a decentralized infrastructure protocol made up of a network of node runners from around the world. These node runners receive POKT rewards by providing quality access to popular networks like Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon, Binance Smart Chain, Fuse, and others.Pocket is partnering with Rocket Pool to provide Smartnodes access to free ETH1 endpoints through it’s 1M relays a day free tier program, powered by 6000+ Pocket nodes. The Smartnodes utilizing Pocket will enjoy industry-leading uptime and a worry-free experience. Smartnodes only need to focus on their ETH2 Validator and leave ETH1 to Pocket.

How can a Smartnode get a Pocket endpoint?

Rocket Pool has one of the most streamlined install scripts in the crypto space, and Pocket is one of the default options.

1. In the smartnode-install setup process, select “3” when asked for an ETH1 client.

2. Users can then choose to use the default community endpoint sponsored by Pocket by simply pressing enter, or they can add their own dedicated Pocket endpoint that comes with a Dashboard to monitor traffic using the Pocket Portal.Getting a Pocket endpoint from the Pocket is easy and private. All it requires is an email address.

1. Sign up with an email address at the Pocket Portal signup page.
2. Create an app for “Ethereum Mainnet” and include “Smartnode” or “Rocket Pool” in the App Name.

3. Then in the smartnode-installer, put the prefix “lb/” followed by “Gateway ID” from the Portal. (example: lb/12345...)NOTE: Pocket endpoints are compatible with Smartnodes that utilize the Prysm, Lighthouse, and Teku ETH2 clients. The Nimbus ETH2 client is not compatible with Pocket due to their need for websockets.

Triple-dipping with rewards.

Today, using Pocket for ETH1 is a cost-savings way to run a reliable Smartnode. In the future, there may be a need to migrate to running an ETH1 client, depending on where ETH2’s researchers go with a concept called Proof of Custody.If Smartnodes are required to run ETH1 infrastructure sometime later next year, then at that point, Smartnodes could also monetize those nodes with Pocket. This way the same nodes would be generating ETH and RPL from the Rocket Pool network and POKT from Pocket Network. Ultimately Pocket Validators could further monetize their nodes by operating a Smartnode as well, resulting in both communities adding value to each other.

A decentralized future.

Pocket is a believer in Rocket Pool’s mission to decentralize access to ETH2 validation rewards. Both the Rocket Pool and Pocket Network teams have worked to make this integration possible, and Pocket is excited to provide unstoppable, decentralized infrastructure to the Smartnode community.