Restaking

Intermediate
Жаңыртылган Aug 24, 2026

What Is Restaking?

Restaking is the practice of taking crypto that is already staked, most often ether (ETH), and using that same staked value to help secure additional services or networks. In return, the restaked assets can earn extra rewards on top of the normal staking yield, while also taking on additional risk.

The idea became widely known through EigenLayer, a protocol on Ethereum, though similar restaking approaches now exist on other protocols and networks, including for assets beyond ETH. 

Instead of a staked asset securing only its base network, restaking lets that asset also back other systems, often called actively validated services (AVSs). This can include tools like data availability layers, oracles, and bridges that need their own economic security.

How Restaking Works

At a high level, a user or protocol commits staked assets to a restaking protocol, such as EigenLayer, and opts them into one or more AVSs. Operators then use that committed stake to help run and secure those services. 

Because the same stake now supports more than one system, it can earn more than one source of rewards. This is sometimes described as shared security, since new services can borrow an existing trust base rather than building one from scratch.

Liquid Restaking Tokens (LRTs)

A liquid restaking token, or LRT, is a token you receive when a protocol restakes your assets for you while keeping them liquid. It extends the liquid staking model by adding a second layer. You deposit ETH or a liquid staking token, the protocol restakes it, and you receive an LRT that represents your claim on the underlying position and its rewards.

Because the LRT is a transferable token, it can often be traded, lent, or used as collateral in other decentralized finance (DeFi) applications while the underlying stake keeps working. This is the main appeal: exposure to potential restaking rewards without fully locking up the assets.

Risks to Keep in Mind

Restaking adds reward potential, but it also stacks risks. One is slashing: if an operator or service misbehaves, part of the restaked value can be penalized. Another is smart contract risk, since restaking relies on multiple contract layers where bugs can cause losses. 

LRTs can also face liquidity or depeg risk, trading below the value of the underlying asset during periods of stress, and using an LRT as collateral can add liquidation risk. Because these risks layer on top of each other, outcomes can vary widely.