EigenLayer is an Ethereum-based protocol that introduces a novel concept known as “restaking,” allowing Ethereum stakers to extend their staked ETH (or liquid staking tokens) to secure additional services. This mechanism enables services, known as Actively Validated Services (AVSs), to leverage the pooled security of Ethereum’s validator network, reducing capital costs and increasing security guarantees for all participants in the ecosystem. EigenLayer’s restaking feature opens up opportunities for decentralized innovation, making it easier for developers to build new services without having to bootstrap their own security networks.
In 2024, EigenLayer launched its mainnet and successfully onboarded the first set of AVSs, starting with EigenDA, a scalable data availability solution designed to address Ethereum’s data throughput limitations. The launch attracted over 4.1 million ETH in restaked assets and saw participation from over 70% of new Ethereum validators. The protocol’s mainnet functionality allows restakers to delegate their assets to operators who run AVSs, providing additional cryptoeconomic security to these services. This setup establishes EigenLayer as a foundation for building a decentralized network of innovative services leveraging Ethereum’s trust layer.
The future vision for EigenLayer includes further integration of AVSs, slashing mechanisms for security enforcement, and expanding its operator set. With EigenDA expected to play a pivotal role in scaling rollups and improving Ethereum’s data availability, EigenLayer aims to become the go-to infrastructure for developers building highly secure and scalable decentralized applications on Ethereum.
