Biggest Ethereum Staker Lets Protocol Users Make Withdrawals

Ethereum may be facing its biggest test since the much ballyhooed software upgrade of the most commercially-successful blockchain last month.

Lido Finance, the largest holder of so-called staked Ether, which is used to order transactions on the network, is allowing users to withdraw tokens from the protocol for the first time. For months now, industry observers have speculated that could lead to large outflows from Lido, potentially pressuring the price of Ether. Lido has about a 30% market share.

The Ethereum network enabled withdrawals of staked Ether in April through a upgrade called Shanghai or Shapella, and most other major …