From DVT to Interoperability: Introducing Compose

Compose is a first-of-its-kind, interoperability layer for Ethereum rollups built as a Based Application (bApp) and the perfect addition to SSV Network’s ecosystem of critical infrastructure. This blog will dive into why SSV DAO is building the Compose bApp, why now is the perfect time for Compose, and the relationship between Compose and the SSV Network protocol, DAO, Token, and Community.

SSV Network is the home of Compose

Since inception, SSV Network has been dedicated to developing critical Ethereum-native infrastructure. From the very beginning, SSV DAO has helped lead the charge in Ethereum staking. From the biggest paradigm shift: the transition from Proof-of-Work to Proof-of-Stake, to now, where DVT has become the gold standard for staking, integrated by the leading staking protocols, node operators, and even world-class exchanges.

SSV Network Distributed Validator Technology (DVT) went live nearly 2 years ago to address correlation and security risks that can compromise a legacy validator setup. The technology was designed to empower all staking participants, while also helping to decentralize the Ethereum consensus layer. The results speak for themselves:

~14% of Ethereum’s validators run on SSV.
~5M ETH ($23B)+ in staked ETH secured.
One of the most diverse node operator sets in Ethereum.
An entire staking ecosystem built on top of SSV.

SSV was never “just another staking protocol.” It was, and remains, a critical infrastructure supporting Ethereum into the future.

Today, the SSV DAO unveils the next extension of that vision: Compose

The Compose logo is based on the concept of Kintsugi, where the gaps of the SSV logo are filled in, emphasizing the union under an aligned mission, but also the differences of the two solutions in how they approach that mission.

Why Compose Matters

Ethereum’s rollup-centric roadmap has been a huge success in scaling transaction throughput and reducing costs. Today, the vast majority of activity is happening on rollups. But it has also created fragmentation:

Liquidity is scattered across 100+ rollups. Teams need to redeploy across rollups to capture fragmented value.
UX is broken. Moving tokens or using apps across chains requires bridges, liquidity, wait times, and wrapped assets.
Composability is lost. The atomic “DeFi Lego” experience of Ethereum L1 doesn’t work across rollups.
L1 value accrual is crucial for keeping validators (ETH holders) invested in the long term as Rollups take the lion's share of activity.

The network effect that once made Ethereum unstoppable is at risk.

Compose is how we bring it back.

Compose is a Based Application (bApp)

Compose is not a “new chapter” for SSV Network — it’s the first Based Application (bApp) built on Ethereum’s validator set, focused on solving fragmentation. Compose is a based interoperability layer that uses a Shared Publisher (SP) architecture that extends Ethereum validators' capabilities to power synchronous composability across all rollups unlocking a new reward stream for them and unifying Ethereum’s Rollup ecosystem.

With DVT, validators become the future-proof backbone of Ethereum.
With Compose, validators can help orchestrate the multi-chain economy.

Based Applications are apps or services that extend the functionality and security of Ethereum L1 validators. They leverage validators’ neutrality, reliability, and economic alignment to provide new services to the ecosystem. Initially, through SSV, validators can opt into Compose; however, the goal is to transition to a fully permissionless system that relies on the entire Ethereum validator set.

Compose is the first bApp of its kind. By separating sequencing from publishing in the last leg of the block creation process from L2 -> L1, the SP provides synchronous composability from L2 -> L2, without introducing new trust assumptions, wrapped tokens, or fragmented liquidity pools. Thereafter, Ethereum validators publish the superblock, which contains all the multi-chain transactions.

Rewards & Alignment: Validators running through the SSV protocol earn ETH staking rewards plus additional yield from powering synchronous composability. This turns validators into true multi-service providers, aligning rollups with Ethereum values.

In short: Compose runs on SSV-powered validators (transitioning to permissionless in the future). The SSV Network enables hundreds of thousands of validators to participate as publishers, thereby securing Ethereum’s cross-rollup future without compromising decentralization in the final block publishing steps.

This is an extension of the same mission that began with SSV: supporting Ethereum by supporting its validator set.

Why a Shared Publisher?

At its core, Compose introduces the Shared Publisher (SP) — a coordination layer that enables:

Each rollup keeps sovereignty over its sequencer.
Sequencers coordinate via a two-phase commit protocol to ensure atomicity.
Validators serving as the publishers aggregate and finalize ZK bundles from across rollups in the same L2 block.

The result: atomic, synchronous execution across all rollups, secured by Ethereum’s validator set.

The Validator Evolution: From Attesters to Composers

Validators are no longer just “signing attestations.” Over the years, they’ve taken on more roles. The SSV ecosystem has always supported Ethereum validators, and Compose is the next natural step.

Staking security (the foundation).
MEV capture through MEV-Boost.
Sequencing for based rollups.
Pre-confirmations for faster UX.
ZK proving in the near future.

Compose is the next step in this journey.

Still earn ETH staking rewards (the baseline).
Earn additional yield by powering synchronous composability.
Route interop fees back to validators and Ethereum itself, instead of leaking value to bridges or custodians.

What this means for the SSV Community

Compose is a project of the SSV DAO, built by and for the SSV community.

While the exact economics are still in design, here’s what SSV token holders can expect:

Extra revenue streams: Validators earn fees from Compose in addition to staking rewards.
More fees to the SSV DAO: Strengthening the protocol treasury.
Reduced reliance on incentivized mainnet program as the organic economic activity replaces subsidies.

Disclaimer: Some elements of the Compose roadmap remain subject to DAO approval.

SSV Network is the foundation, not an afterthought

SSV Network remains a priority. The ecosystem is moments away from launching its second SSV node client on mainnet - Anchor.

Beyond that, there is much more to come. Now that SSV is the second-largest staking provider in Ethereum, the protocol has an opportunity to secure the next wave of institutional capital as regulatory clarity and interest in ETH staking are peaking.

Compose is an extension of SSV. It will leverage the best and most diverse validator set in the crypto space to connect every corner of Ethereum.

The SSV token

The $SSV token will continue being the ssv.network native token. Compose still requires a lot of building to be done before introducing tokenomics. SSV Network is an enabler for Compose through the bApp framework; the SSV DAO is exploring how it can be incorporated into any future design of economics and incentives.

The Vision: Connecting Every Corner of Ethereum

The vision of connecting all rollups is within reach. With SSV Network and Compose, all Ethereum rollups will become fully composable, instantly and atomically. There will be no difference between having your tokens on Base, Arbitrum, or Optimism and still using dApps on other rollups. It's a huge undertaking, but the SSV ecosystem has shown it can go big before.

What the future can look like with Compose:

SSV DAO: More fees generated and routed to the SSV Network DAO. Increased staking rewards also reduce the reliance on the incentivized mainnet program.
SSV Validators: New revenue stream from coordinating/publishing cross-rollup bundles. Higher reliability along with new roles make validator contributions more sustainable.
SSV Token: Future rewards/economic benefits from Compose will trickle to the SSV DAO and holders (still in design).
SSV community: Connecting every corner of Ethereum promises to bring many new friends onboard.
Rollups: Keep your sequencer; gain atomic L2↔L2 transactions and L2↔L1 execution. You get higher throughput and shared network effects without becoming a tenant of a single rollup ecosystem.
Rollup Users: One-click actions that span chains, settle together. No bridge purgatory; fewer stuck or waiting times. Any dApp, any token, any chain, instantly.
dApp developers: Build once, compose everywhere. No more fractured user bases and deployments.