Figment Achieves Full NORS Certification for Ethereum, Setting New Benchmark for Institutional Staking Infrastructure
Figment, the largest independent provider of institutional staking infrastructure, has announced a major milestone in its commitment to operational excellence: the company has achieved full certification under the Node Operator Risk Standard (NORS) for Ethereum. NORS, an industry-recognized framework, independently evaluates node operators across critical dimensions of security, operational resilience, and governance, providing institutions with an objective standard for assessing staking infrastructure.
This achievement marks Figment as the first company in both North America and Europe to successfully complete full NORS certification, underscoring its leadership in building robust, enterprise-grade staking solutions.
Objective Validation of Operational Excellence
Institutional staking requires more than just strong performance promises – it requires objective, independently validated operational excellence,” said Annalea Sanders, Chief Operating & Information Security Officer at Figment. “Achieving full NORS certification demonstrates that our systems, controls, and governance processes are not only robust but have also been proven through evidence-based audits.”
By achieving NORS certification, Figment provides institutional clients with a clear, trusted signal that its staking infrastructure operates at the highest standard, with verified controls, resilient systems, and rigorous operational processes.
NORS: A Unique Standard for Ethereum Node Operator Risk
The Node Operator Risk Standard is the first certification framework designed specifically to address the operational risks faced by Ethereum node operators. Unlike self-declared best practices, NORS requires operators to substantiate their procedures through audited documentation, technical evidence, and verified controls.
The certification evaluates multiple facets of validator operations, including:
- Slashing Prevention: Implementing protocols and systems that minimize the risk of financial penalties from misbehaving validators.
- Validator Diversity: Ensuring balanced validator participation to strengthen decentralization and reduce systemic risk.
- Key Management Practices: Secure handling and storage of validator keys, critical to safeguarding staked assets.
- Operational Reliability and Fail-Safety: Demonstrating consistent uptime, failover mechanisms, and resiliency in critical infrastructure.
Developed by a consortium of industry leaders and risk management experts, NORS aims to improve transparency, trust, and operational rigor in staking infrastructure.
Institutional Clarity Through Unified Standards
The growing influx of institutional capital into staked digital assets has highlighted the need for standardized operational frameworks. Historically, institutional investors faced a fragmented landscape of staking providers, each claiming high levels of operational excellence without uniform verification.
NORS addresses this gap by introducing a standardized Risk Control Matrix (RCM) that objectively measures the risk profile of node operators. Institutions can now evaluate staking providers with greater confidence, comparing operations based on independently validated evidence rather than marketing claims.
Chris Matta, CEO of Liquid Collective, commented, “NORS was created to provide institutions with a unified, independently validated framework for evaluating staking infrastructure. Figment’s full certification demonstrates the maturity of its controls and the rigor of its operational practices in meeting enterprise-level requirements.”
Mitigating Real Risks at Scale
Full NORS certification signals more than procedural compliance—it reflects operational maturity in managing the complex risks associated with staking Ethereum at scale. These include:
- Relay failures and network interruptions
- MEV (Miner Extractable Value) complexity and optimization
- Validator churn and performance fluctuations
- Slashing events and associated financial penalties
By adhering to NORS, Figment demonstrates its ability to manage these risks with systems and controls designed to minimize disruptions and protect institutional stakeholders.
Strengthening a Multi-Layered Compliance Program
NORS certification complements Figment’s broader suite of independently verified standards, reinforcing the company’s commitment to security, governance, and institutional trust. This portfolio includes:
- SOC 1 Type I (Rewards Reporting): Extended to include staking rewards operations, ensuring accurate financial reporting.
- SOC 2 Type II: A multi-year audited program for infrastructure and services.
- ISO 27001: A global information security standard covering Figment’s Information Security Management System (ISMS).
- OFAC-Compliant MEV Relays: Allow MEV-optimized performance with built-in sanctions verification controls.
Together, these certifications provide multi-layered protection and assurance, covering infrastructure, governance, and operational processes for institutional clients.
Outlook: Raising the Bar for Institutional Staking
As digital asset markets mature and institutional capital continues to flow into staked assets, the operational discipline of staking infrastructure is becoming increasingly critical. Figment’s NORS certification sets a new benchmark for the industry, demonstrating that operational excellence can be independently validated and objectively assessed.
Looking ahead, Figment plans to continue leading the development of institutional staking standards. By contributing to the definition of higher operational requirements and operationalizing them through independently validated controls, the company aims to strengthen trust, transparency, and resilience in the Ethereum staking ecosystem.
With this achievement, Figment reinforces its position as a trusted partner for institutions seeking secure, scalable, and reliable staking infrastructure, driving the evolution of the industry toward higher standards and greater accountability.
