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Meta Pool Review 2026: DAO-Run Liquid Staking on NEAR

Meta Pool is a DAO-governed liquid staking protocol that began on NEAR in 2021 and now also covers ETH and SOL. It gives stakers a liquid token, stNEAR, but fees are not published in the sources reviewed.

By the DappsAtlas editorial team · Updated Nov 4, 2026

DappsAtlas score

7.4/10

Good

Visit Meta Pool Near

Our verdict on Meta Pool Near

7.4/10

Meta Pool suits NEAR holders who want staking rewards while keeping a liquid token, and those who like DAO governance. Its main strengths are a track record since 2021, stNEAR and a broader multi-network offering with visible on-chain proposals. The main caveat is that fees are not published in the sources reviewed, and TVL figures differ between the homepage and DefiLlama. Check the audit reports, fees and unstaking terms before depositing.

Score breakdown

How Meta Pool Near scores

Security: 7.0/10
Ease of use: 7.5/10
Fees: n/a
Features: 7.5/10

Scores run from 0 to 10 and are based only on facts we could verify. Where information was missing we mark the score n/a rather than guess.

What is Meta Pool Near?

Meta Pool is a liquid staking protocol built on the NEAR blockchain. Its homepage says it has been running since 2021 and is governed by the Meta Pool DAO. It now lists liquid staking for NEAR, ETH and SOL.

DefiLlama lists it under Liquid Staking on NEAR and Aurora, with about $87 million in TVL and a 12.5% drop over seven days. The homepage reports $120 M total value locked, 21.0 K stakers and $31.0 M distributed in staking rewards. The two TVL figures differ, likely because of scope and timing, which the project does not explain.

Beyond staking, the project runs a Node Studio program for validators, an incubator with a 2026 cohort, and Build Buddies meetups in Latin America and Asia. Governance runs through on-chain proposals called MPIPs, voted on with the mpDAO token.

How Meta Pool Near works

You deposit NEAR, ETH or SOL into Meta Pool and receive a liquid token, such as stNEAR on NEAR. The protocol delegates the pooled assets to validators, which earn staking rewards for securing the network. Those rewards accrue to the liquid token holders.

Because you hold a token rather than a locked position, you can keep it in your wallet or use it elsewhere in DeFi where supported. Meta Pool is DAO-governed, and mpDAO holders vote on proposals, including how stake is allocated to validators.

The homepage gives an APY for each supported network. The rates are variable, so treat them as indicative.

7 features

Key features

stNEAR liquid staking

Stake NEAR and receive stNEAR, which stays liquid while the underlying NEAR earns staking rewards.

Multi-network staking

The homepage lists liquid staking for NEAR, ETH and SOL, beyond the original NEAR product.

On-chain DAO governance

Holders of mpDAO vote on MPIPs covering validator fees, treasury and other protocol decisions. Recent examples include a buyback-and-burn program.

Validator allocation voting

Stake can be allocated to validators through DAO voting.

Node Studio

A program for running a validator with one-click deployment, no server management and round-the-clock monitoring and support.

Metapool Incubator

A program where builders work alongside the DAO. Cohort 01 of 2026 lists two active projects, and applications are open.

Build Buddies meetups

Community meetups for developers and founders in Latin America and Asia, run by Meta Pool.

Pros and cons

What we like

Operating since 2021 according to the homepage, a longer track record than many newer staking protocols.
Offers a liquid token, stNEAR, so staked NEAR is not locked away.
Supports NEAR, ETH and SOL staking from a single brand.
DAO governance with visible on-chain proposals such as MPIP-32, MPIP-31 and MPIP-28.
DefiLlama lists two audits.
Homepage figures show a sizeable user base of 21.0 K stakers.

Watch out for

TVL fell 12.5% over seven days according to DefiLlama, a reminder that liquid staking balances can move quickly.
The homepage shows $120 M TVL while DefiLlama lists about $87 million for the NEAR and Aurora deployment, so figures differ by source and scope.
Liquid staking adds smart-contract risk on top of validator and network risk that plain staking has.
Fees, such as the protocol's cut of staking rewards or unstaking costs, are not stated publicly reviewed.
Governance rests on mpDAO holders and on-chain proposals, so outcomes depend on token-holder participation.
Quoted APYs vary by network and change over time, so the homepage figures are only a snapshot.

Meta Pool Near fees

Public sources reviewed do not publish a fee schedule. Liquid staking protocols commonly take a share of staking rewards and may charge for instant unstaking, but Meta Pool's specific terms are not stated here.

Users should check the docs and the app's stake and unstake screens for current fees, along with normal network transaction costs on NEAR, Ethereum or Solana.

Is Meta Pool Near safe?

DefiLlama lists two audits, but public sources reviewed do not name the auditors, dates or findings. Check the docs for the reports before depositing. Liquid staking involves smart-contract risk, validator risk and the risk that the liquid token trades below the value of the underlying asset.

The protocol is DAO-governed, so changes come through on-chain proposals voted by mpDAO holders. The project does not mention any past incidents, custody details or regulatory status. This is not financial advice.

6 steps

How to get started with Meta Pool Near

1
Read the docs and the audit information on the official site before depositing.
2
Set up a wallet compatible with the network you want to stake on, such as a NEAR wallet.
3
Fund the wallet with the asset you plan to stake and keep a little extra for network fees.
4
Open the app, choose the network, and review the current APY, fees and unstaking terms.
5
Stake and receive the liquid token, such as stNEAR for NEAR.
6
Optionally, get mpDAO to vote on proposals or follow active MPIPs.

Open Meta Pool Near

Who Meta Pool Near is for

Meta Pool is for NEAR holders who want to earn staking rewards without locking funds, and for ETH or SOL holders interested in a DAO-governed staking option. It also suits people who want a say in governance through mpDAO, or who want to run a validator through Node Studio.

Meta Pool Near FAQs

What is Meta Pool?

Meta Pool is a liquid staking protocol that started on the NEAR blockchain in 2021. Its homepage now lists liquid staking for NEAR, ETH and SOL, governed by the Meta Pool DAO.

What is stNEAR?

stNEAR is the liquid staking token you receive when you stake NEAR with Meta Pool. It represents your staked position and earns staking rewards while you keep a tradable token.

What APY does Meta Pool offer?

The homepage listed 4.11% APY for NEAR, 9.61% for Solana and 2.19% for Ethereum at the time the page was captured. These rates change with network conditions, so check the app for current numbers.

What is the mpDAO token?

mpDAO is the governance token. Holders can vote on on-chain proposals called MPIPs, which cover items such as validator fees, treasury allocation and a buyback-and-burn program.

Is Meta Pool audited?

DefiLlama lists two audits for Meta Pool, but public sources reviewed do not name the auditors or the findings. Liquid staking still carries smart-contract risk, so read the audit reports in the docs before depositing.

Does Meta Pool offer anything besides staking?

Yes. Node Studio is described as a way to run a validator in three clicks, with one-click deployment, no server management and 24/7 monitoring and support.

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