EigenLayer Restaking Guide 2026: Earn Extra Yield on Staked ETH

EigenLayer lets you restake your ETH or liquid staking tokens to secure additional protocols and earn extra rewards. This guide covers how restaking works, the risks, and how to get started.

EigenLayer is a restaking protocol on Ethereum that lets ETH stakers "restake" — extend their ETH security to secure additional protocols (called AVSs — Actively Validated Services) and earn extra yield on top of native ETH staking returns.

How Restaking Works

You deposit stETH (or native ETH) into EigenLayer. Your stake now secures both Ethereum AND one or more AVSs. If you misbehave on any secured service (equivocation, malicious validation), your stake can be slashed by that AVS. In exchange for this additional risk, AVSs pay additional token rewards to restakers.

Liquid Restaking Tokens (LRTs)

Restaking Risks