EigenLayer is a novel proposal for enhancing the security and innovation of the Ethereum ecosystem by enabling Ethereum stakers to restake their ETH to validate new modules built on top of Ethereum. These modules can include various types of actively validated services (AVSs) such as data availability layers, oracle networks, bridges, consensus protocols, virtual machines, and more. By restaking their ETH, stakers grant the EigenLayer smart contracts the ability to impose additional slashing conditions on their staked ETH, thus extending the cryptoeconomic security of Ethereum to these modules. In return, stakers receive additional fees from providing validation services to these modules.

EigenLayer aims to solve several problems that exist in the current AVS ecosystem, such as:

• Bootstrapping problem: New AVSs have to create their own trust networks or tokens to secure their services, which is difficult and costly.

• Value leakage: AVSs that have their own tokens or trust networks divert fees away from Ethereum, reducing its value accrual and network effects.

• Capital cost: Stakers who secure AVSs have to incur capital cost, which is the opportunity cost and price risk of staking in a new system. This cost can be much higher than the operational cost of providing validation services.

• Trust aggregation: AVSs that rely on different trust networks or tokens have lower security guarantees than Ethereum, as they are subject to the minimum cost of corruption among their dependencies.

EigenLayer introduces two key ideas to address these problems:

• Pooled security via restaking: EigenLayer allows stakers to reuse their ETH capital across multiple modules by restaking it via EigenLayer smart contracts. This way, EigenLayer aggregates ETH security across all modules, increasing their security and value. EigenLayer also acts as a staging system for Ethereum, where new innovations can be tested and integrated back into Ethereum.

• Free-market governance: EigenLayer provides a free-market mechanism for governing how ETH security is supplied by stakers and consumed by modules. Stakers can opt in or out of different modules based on their risk-reward preferences and capabilities. Modules can recruit stakers based on their validation requirements and incentives. This allows for a fast and efficient governance structure that complements the stable and conservative governance of Ethereum.

EigenLayer also enables new applications and possibilities for the Ethereum ecosystem, such as:

• Hyperscale data availability layer: A data availability layer that provides high data rate and low cost by utilizing EigenLayer restaking and horizontal scaling techniques.

• Decentralized sequencers: Sequencers that manage transaction ordering and MEV for rollups by using EigenLayer restaking and quorum signatures.

• Light-node bridges: Bridges that connect Ethereum with other blockchains by using EigenLayer restaking and light client verification.

• Fast-mode bridges for rollups: Bridges that speed up cross-rollup transfers by using EigenLayer restaking and proof verification.

• Oracles: Oracles that provide price feeds or other external data by using EigenLayer restaking and majority trust.

• Event-driven activation: Services that trigger actions based on events such as liquidations or collateral transfers by using EigenLayer restaking and blockspace management.

• Opt-in MEV management: Solutions that mitigate or distribute MEV by using EigenLayer restaking and opt-in validation tasks.

• Settlement chains with ultra-low latency: Chains that provide fast settlement with high economic finality by using EigenLayer restaking and new consensus protocols.

• Single-slot finality: A mechanism that achieves single-slot finality for Ethereum blocks by using EigenLayer restaking and attestation.

EigenLayer is a restaking collective for Ethereum that aims to enhance its security and innovation by enabling stakers to validate new modules built on top of Ethereum. By restaking their ETH, stakers extend the cryptoeconomic security of Ethereum to these modules and receive additional fees. By opting in or out of different modules, stakers participate in a free-market governance mechanism that allows for fast and efficient innovation. By leveraging staker heterogeneity and enabling opt-in validation tasks, EigenLayer expands the blockspace and performance of Ethereum. By enabling new applications such as hyperscale data availability layers, decentralized sequencers, light-node bridges, fast-mode bridges for rollups, oracles, event-driven activation, opt-in MEV management, settlement chains with ultra-low latency, and single-slot finality, EigenLayer enriches the Ethereum ecosystem.

EigenLayer is a novel proposal for enhancing the security and innovation of the Ethereum ecosystem by enabling Ethereum stakers to restake their ETH to validate new modules built on top of Ethereum. These modules can include various types of actively validated services (AVSs) such as data availability layers, oracle networks, bridges, consensus protocols, virtual machines, and more. By restaking their ETH, stakers grant the EigenLayer smart contracts the ability to impose additional slashing conditions on their staked ETH, thus extending the cryptoeconomic security of Ethereum to these modules. In return, stakers receive additional fees from providing validation services to these modules.

EigenLayer aims to solve several problems that exist in the current AVS ecosystem, such as:

• Bootstrapping problem: New AVSs have to create their own trust networks or tokens to secure their services, which is difficult and costly.

• Value leakage: AVSs that have their own tokens or trust networks divert fees away from Ethereum, reducing its value accrual and network effects.

• Capital cost: Stakers who secure AVSs have to incur capital cost, which is the opportunity cost and price risk of staking in a new system. This cost can be much higher than the operational cost of providing validation services.

• Trust aggregation: AVSs that rely on different trust networks or tokens have lower security guarantees than Ethereum, as they are subject to the minimum cost of corruption among their dependencies.

EigenLayer introduces two key ideas to address these problems:

• Pooled security via restaking: EigenLayer allows stakers to reuse their ETH capital across multiple modules by restaking it via EigenLayer smart contracts. This way, EigenLayer aggregates ETH security across all modules, increasing their security and value. EigenLayer also acts as a staging system for Ethereum, where new innovations can be tested and integrated back into Ethereum.

• Free-market governance: EigenLayer provides a free-market mechanism for governing how ETH security is supplied by stakers and consumed by modules. Stakers can opt in or out of different modules based on their risk-reward preferences and capabilities. Modules can recruit stakers based on their validation requirements and incentives. This allows for a fast and efficient governance structure that complements the stable and conservative governance of Ethereum.

EigenLayer also enables new applications and possibilities for the Ethereum ecosystem, such as:

• Hyperscale data availability layer: A data availability layer that provides high data rate and low cost by utilizing EigenLayer restaking and horizontal scaling techniques.

• Decentralized sequencers: Sequencers that manage transaction ordering and MEV for rollups by using EigenLayer restaking and quorum signatures.

• Light-node bridges: Bridges that connect Ethereum with other blockchains by using EigenLayer restaking and light client verification.

• Fast-mode bridges for rollups: Bridges that speed up cross-rollup transfers by using EigenLayer restaking and proof verification.

• Oracles: Oracles that provide price feeds or other external data by using EigenLayer restaking and majority trust.

• Event-driven activation: Services that trigger actions based on events such as liquidations or collateral transfers by using EigenLayer restaking and blockspace management.

• Opt-in MEV management: Solutions that mitigate or distribute MEV by using EigenLayer restaking and opt-in validation tasks.

• Settlement chains with ultra-low latency: Chains that provide fast settlement with high economic finality by using EigenLayer restaking and new consensus protocols.

• Single-slot finality: A mechanism that achieves single-slot finality for Ethereum blocks by using EigenLayer restaking and attestation.

EigenLayer is a restaking collective for Ethereum that aims to enhance its security and innovation by enabling stakers to validate new modules built on top of Ethereum. By restaking their ETH, stakers extend the cryptoeconomic security of Ethereum to these modules and receive additional fees. By opting in or out of different modules, stakers participate in a free-market governance mechanism that allows for fast and efficient innovation. By leveraging staker heterogeneity and enabling opt-in validation tasks, EigenLayer expands the blockspace and performance of Ethereum. By enabling new applications such as hyperscale data availability layers, decentralized sequencers, light-node bridges, fast-mode bridges for rollups, oracles, event-driven activation, opt-in MEV management, settlement chains with ultra-low latency, and single-slot finality, EigenLayer enriches the Ethereum ecosystem.