Everstake has partnered with Digital Shield to support a security-first approach to non-custodial staking for self-custody users. As staking becomes a foundational component of Proof-of-Stake networks, the reliability of validator infrastructure and the clarity of custody boundaries are increasingly important. This partnership brings together hardware-based key protection and non-custodial validator operations to support secure participation in Ethereum and Solana staking without transferring asset control.
In this article, we examine how the Everstake and Digital Shield partnership addresses practical challenges around self-custody and non-custodial delegation. We outline the scope of the collaboration, explain why secure key management and infrastructure quality matter for ETH and SOL staking, and describe how combining hardware wallets with mature validator operations can help users approach staking with greater confidence and transparency.
What is Digital Shield?
Digital Shield is a security-first hardware wallet ecosystem and self-custody solution designed to help users safeguard and manage their crypto assets with a strong emphasis on key security and transparency. At its core, Digital Shield combines a hardware device, mobile application, and blockchain data services into a unified system that prioritizes offline private key protection and user-controlled signing.
The platform’s hardware wallet is built around a CC EAL6+ certified secure chip, a high-security standard commonly used in military- and financial-grade systems. This chip stores private keys offline and isolates them from internet-connected environments, reducing exposure to remote attack vectors while keeping asset ownership firmly in the user’s control.
In addition to the hardware device, Digital Shield offers a companion mobile app that pairs with the wallet for asset management, balance tracking, and transaction execution. The ecosystem also includes tools for real-time account notifications, multi-chain asset support, and a cloud-based blockchain explorer — all designed to bring an intuitive user experience without compromising on security.
By focusing on cold key isolation, open-source transparency, and a seamless interaction model between device and software, Digital Shield positions itself as a foundation for secure self-custody in Web3, appealing to users who want to retain full control over their keys and assets while engaging with decentralized networks.
Why this partnership matters
As Proof-of-Stake networks continue to scale, staking increasingly functions as part of the network’s core infrastructure rather than an optional feature. Validator performance, operational reliability, and clearly defined custody models directly influence how users and institutions participate in Ethereum and Solana over the long term. In parallel, self-custody has become a preferred security model for many participants, reinforcing the need for staking setups that preserve direct asset ownership.
In practice, non-custodial staking still introduces complexity. Users are responsible for key management and delegation decisions, while the quality of validator infrastructure varies widely across the ecosystem. Limited transparency around operational practices and security standards can make it difficult to assess risk, even when custody remains fully with the user.
The partnership between Everstake and Digital Shield brings together two complementary layers required for sustainable non-custodial staking. Hardware-based key isolation helps establish clear ownership boundaries, while enterprise-grade validator operations provide the uptime, monitoring, and security processes needed for consistent participation in Ethereum and Solana staking. This alignment supports a more predictable and security-aware staking experience for self-custody users.
Scope of the partnership
The partnership between Everstake and Digital Shield is focused on supporting non-custodial staking for self-custody users, with a clearly defined initial scope.
At this stage, the partnership includes:
- Support for non-custodial staking on Ethereum and Solana, two mature Proof-of-Stake networks with active self-custody communities
- Alignment between hardware-based key protection and validator infrastructure, ensuring clear separation between asset ownership and validator operations
- Educational and informational guidance around non-custodial delegation, validator selection, and common operational and security considerations
- An emphasis on transparency in staking mechanics, helping users better understand custody boundaries and infrastructure responsibilities
The partnership does not involve custodial staking or asset management. Users retain full control over their private keys at all times, while validator operations are handled independently through Everstake’s non-custodial infrastructure.
The scope of the collaboration is designed to remain flexible. While Ethereum and Solana define the current focus, additional networks or deeper technical alignment may be explored over time, based on ecosystem maturity and user demand.
Why Everstake
Everstake is the largest global non-custodial staking provider serving both institutional and retail clients. Founded in 2018 by blockchain engineers, the company is trusted by over 1,000,000 users and supports approximately $7 billion in staked assets. Everstake delivers institutional-grade validator infrastructure with 99.98% uptime, designed for reliability and performance at scale.
Everstake supports asset managers, custodians, wallets, exchanges, and blockchain protocols by providing API-first, compliant staking infrastructure. Its operations are backed by SOC 2 Type II and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certifications, aligned with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and compliant with GDPR and CCPA requirements. A globally distributed team of over 100 professionals works to make non-custodial staking more accessible while strengthening the foundations of decentralized finance.
Why Digital Shield
Digital Shield is designed around a security-first approach to self-custody, with a strong focus on protecting private keys at the hardware level. Its hardware wallet uses a CC EAL6+ certified secure chip to generate and store keys offline, reducing exposure to remote attack vectors and reinforcing a clear separation between key management and internet-connected environments.
The Digital Shield ecosystem combines the hardware device with a companion mobile application, enabling users to manage assets and interact with blockchain networks while keeping signing operations isolated within the secure element. This model supports everyday Web3 use without introducing custodial risk or sacrificing usability.
By prioritizing offline key control, transparent security design, and a self-custody-first architecture, Digital Shield provides a solid foundation for users who want to participate in staking and other on-chain activities while maintaining full ownership and control over their assets.
Commenting on the partnership, Ken, Chief Marketing Officer at Digital Shield, highlighted the shared focus on security and user control:
“At Digital Shield, we believe that self-custody should not require trade-offs between security and usability. Partnering with Everstake allows us to combine hardware-grade key protection with mature, non-custodial staking infrastructure. Together, we aim to help users participate in Proof-of-Stake networks with greater clarity and confidence, while keeping ownership and control where they belong — with the user.”
Last Words
The partnership between Everstake and Digital Shield reflects a shared focus on security-first, non-custodial participation in Proof-of-Stake networks. By combining hardware-based self-custody with mature validator infrastructure, the collaboration supports a more transparent and resilient staking experience for users.
With an initial focus on Ethereum and Solana, the partnership addresses practical considerations around key management, delegation, and infrastructure reliability, while preserving full user control over assets. As staking continues to play a central role in blockchain networks, aligning self-custody tools with dependable non-custodial infrastructure helps create a clearer path for long-term, security-aware participation.
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Everstake, Inc. or any of its affiliates is a software platform that provides infrastructure tools and resources for users but does not offer investment advice or investment opportunities, manage funds, facilitate collective investment schemes, provide financial services or take custody of, or otherwise hold or manage, customer assets. Everstake, Inc. or any of its affiliates does not conduct any independent diligence on or substantive review of any blockchain asset, digital currency, cryptocurrency or associated funds. Everstake, Inc. or any of its affiliates’s provision of technology services allowing a user to stake digital assets is not an endorsement or a recommendation of any digital assets by it. Users are fully and solely responsible for evaluating whether to stake digital assets.
