What types of withdrawals exist?

Shanghai will enable two types of withdrawals on the Consensus layer: partial withdrawals (referred to as skimming) and full withdrawals (unstaking).

When skimming, a validator will withdraw their balance above 32 ETH, the staking rewards can be sent to an Ethereum address of your choice and the rewards are liquid and can be used immediately. Skimming is automatic once the validator has their withdrawal credentials set to a valid Ethereum address.

In a full withdrawal, a validator may remove their 32 ETH stake from the Beacon chain. The full balance of the validator is then unlocked and liquid, and is able to be used after the exit and withdrawal is processed.

Execution layer withdrawals are already enabled. As a solo staker, 100% of these returns go to an address of your choice.

Pre-Shanghai

Post-Shanghai Partial Withdrawal

Post-Shanghai Full Withdrawal