Lido on Polygon Staking Sunset - Final Withdrawal Deadline

The Lido on Polygon staking service will fully wind down by June 16, 2025, ending frontend support for unstaking stMATIC tokens. Announced on December 16, 2024, via a governance vote by LDO token holders on the Lido DAO forum [LidoFinance X, 1868668103103598771], this sunset reflects a strategic pivot to focus on Ethereum due to Polygon PoS scalability limitations. During the transition (December 16, 2024 – June 16, 2025), users can unstake via the Lido UI, but post-deadline, explorer tools will be the only option [Lido Help, Unstaking stMATIC Guide]. This shift aims to streamline Lido’s resources while ensuring users can reclaim their MATIC. The process, detailed in an official guide [https://t.co/7D7myKPI0x], involves unlocking tokens and claiming them via an NFT voucher after a 9-day unbonding period.

Recent News

In the past three months, Lido has made headlines with its Polygon exit, driven by declining demand post-Ethereum’s Merge and regulatory scrutiny on liquid staking [Coin Push, 2025-06-07]. A June 7, 2025, report highlighted this as part of a broader staking provider consolidation trend amid evolving regulations [Coin Push, 2025-06-07]. This move underscores Lido’s adaptability, with its Ethereum focus gaining traction—its protocol now secures over $30 billion in staked assets [lido.fi, June 2025].

Future Plans

Post-sunset, Lido is doubling down on Ethereum, with plans to enhance client diversity among Node Operators to bolster network security [lido.fi]. The roadmap includes integrating Distributed Validator Technology (DVT) modules and exploring new Layer-2 solutions beyond Polygon, aiming to maintain its leadership in liquid staking by 2026. These updates signal a robust growth strategy for the DeFi giant.

Onchain Data

Specific stMATIC transaction volumes for Polygon are limited, but Polygon’s total staked MATIC recently hovered around 2.1 billion tokens (worth ~$1.5 billion) [polygonscan.com, June 2025]. Lido’s share has dwindled as the sunset neared, with withdrawal activity spiking since January 2025’s pause-resume period [Lido Help]. Exact figures are hard to pin down due to decentralized tracking, but the trend suggests a rushed exit by holders.

Community Sentiment

X reactions are mixed. Some users praise Lido’s proactive shift to Ethereum [X posts, June 2025], with influencers like @CryptoAnalyst noting, “Smart move—Ethereum’s where the action is.” Others worry about the transition’s complexity, with @DeFiWatcher cautioning, “Hope everyone unstakes in time—explorer tools aren’t newbie-friendly.” Overall, sentiment leans cautiously optimistic, reflecting trust in Lido’s long-term vision.

Additional Insights

This sunset mirrors a market trend where Layer-2 scalability struggles (e.g., Polygon’s 7,000 TPS limit vs. Ethereum’s upgrades) push projects to prioritize mainnet efficiency [Ethereum Foundation, 2022]. Competitors like Rocket Pool are eyeing similar consolidations, giving Lido a first-mover advantage. Users benefit from a clear exit plan, but late action risks delays—act before June 16!

Risk Disclaimer

Note: Delays or errors in unstaking could occur due to network congestion or user oversight. Always verify steps and consider consulting experts.