Massive confiscation incident on Ethereum: 39 validators are punished for operator errors related to SSV Network

Huobi HTX reported that on September 10, a rare large-scale fine occurred on Ethereum, and 39 validators were punished for operator errors related to SSV Network. This is one of the largest coordinated fines and confiscations since Ethereum switched to the Proof of Stake (PoS) mechanism in 2022. According to data from blockchain browser Beaconcha.in, the penalties of these validators highlight the risks of poor infrastructure maintenance during staking. In Ethereum's PoS mechanism, if a validator experiences malicious or wrong behaviors such as double signing and verification of multiple blocks in the same slot, a certain amount of Ethereum will be confiscated. In this incident, 39 verifiers caused the operator's operational errors to occur. The specific reasons for the error may include infrastructure configuration problems, signature errors, etc. Confiscated validators will face severe punishment. According to Ethereum's confiscated mechanism, some of their pledged Ether will be burned, up to 1 ETH, and the validators will be gradually removed from the network within 36 days. During the exit period, the ether of the confiscated verifiers will gradually decrease, and a "association penalty" will be received on the 18th day. If more verifiers are confiscated at the same time, the penalty will be even greater.