Ethereum Staking Platform EigenLayer Launches Mainnet

Ethereum’s staking platform, EigenLayer, initiated its mainnet release, introducing new features such actively validated services (AVSs).

Earlier today, EigenLayer, an Ethereum staking platform, made an announcement about its mainnet launch. EigenLayer has several new features, including the ability to register with the platform, the ability to opt-in to run actively validated services (AVSs), and the ability to delegate stakes to selected operators for restakers. Operators can also register with the protocols for AVSs.

EigenDA, an upgraded data availability (DA) service based on EigenLayer, went live on the mainnet. To aid different blockchain protocols in storing transaction data and other information, Eigen Labs created EigenDA, an AVS. When a rollup transaction’s computed state reaches finalization on the rollup bridge, EigenDA safely saves it.

The restaking procedure has undergone changes, such as adding validator withdrawal credentials to an EigenPod or depositing liquid staking tokens (LSTs). Active restaking now involves assigning tasks to one of the top 200 operators in terms of delegated stake, who are now operating AVSs due to the activation of operators and EigenDA.

The mainnet does not implement slashing, a punishment where validators could lose part of their staked ETH for misconduct or protocol violations. It also doesn’t help with AVSs paying operators in protocol.

At the same time, operators can choose to register as operators or opt in to AVSs like EigenDA in order to execute AVSs. We now allow the top 200 operators by delegated stake to run AVSs, with the hope that this number will steadily increase as the protocol gains traction. The fact that more than ten AVSs are actively testing on Holesky gives EigenLayer even more reason to believe that the mainnet will soon see the debut of even more AVSs.

Additionally, EigenDA intends to resolve Ethereum blockspace restrictions, which will pave the way for the creation of new apps and services. EigenLayer believes that EigenDA will make a significant contribution to achieving this goal by providing cost-effective scalability for rollups. In the upcoming weeks, rollups will get access to EigenDA on the mainnet. In the meantime, Holesky is a great place for rollup developers to keep testing their work.

EigenLayer Breaks Through to LRT Ecosystem Powerhouse, Exceeding $13.4B in TVL

EigenLayer users can stake Ethereum to obtain LSTs, which they can then stake again for additional rewards. EigenPod, a user-managed smart contract, facilitates native restaking and maintains balance tracking.

Recently, the liquid restaking token (LRT) ecosystem has been successful. There are more than 4.1 million ETH staked in EigenLayer at the moment. In recent weeks, 70% of newly-minted Ethereum validators have chosen to restore assets on EigenLayer. When it comes to total value locked (TVL), EigenLayer presently has about $13.4 billion, says DeFiLlama.