EigenLayer

What EigenLayer is (and what “restaking” means)

EigenLayer is a restaking protocol on Ethereum. Restaking is the idea of taking an existing staking position (or a liquid staking token) and opting into additional services and risks in exchange for additional rewards. In the points era, restaking protocols often become “points hubs” because they can sit between users and many downstream systems.

If you’re new to the category, read this first: Restaking points programs: common mechanics + risks.

Why EigenLayer shows up in points farming

Points campaigns around restaking often reward:

• early participation;
• specific assets or staking routes;
• specific integrations (for example: using a partner app or vault);
• activity over time (snapshots, multipliers, and season cutoffs).

The important caveat is that the scoring rules are not always public and can change without notice. Treat any “do X for guaranteed points” claim as marketing until you can verify it from official sources.

What we track for EigenLayer on DeFi Farmer

This page is meant to be a safer “hub” so you can:

• see the programs we track and their timelines;
• use official source links without hunting through social posts;
• read editorial notes and verification timestamps.

We don’t try to turn this into a “strategy guide.” Instead, we focus on the parts that protect you: sources, dates, and risk framing.

Restaking risk: what to take seriously

Restaking changes the risk profile of your position. The headline risks to understand are:

• Slashing / penalty risk: additional services can introduce additional failure modes. You should understand what behaviors can lead to penalties.
• Smart contract risk: you are interacting with more contracts than plain staking.
• Complexity risk: more moving parts means more ways to make a costly mistake (wrong chain, wrong token, wrong approvals).
• Liquidity and exit risk: if you go through wrappers or vaults, you might add delay, withdrawal limits, or secondary-market liquidity risk.

Points are not a risk control. If you can’t explain the failure mode, assume it can happen.

What to verify before you assume you’re eligible

Restaking campaigns often have more rules than they first appear. Before you assume “I deposited, so I’m good,” verify:

• Which asset counts (native stake vs liquid staking token vs wrapper vs vault share).
• Which route counts (direct vs via a partner integration).
• Which chain counts (some actions on L2s do not count for Ethereum-first programs).
• Timing rules (snapshots, season boundaries, and minimum holding periods).

If the rules are not published in official sources, treat them as unknown.

Restaking vs liquid restaking vs vaults (why the distinction matters)

From a points perspective, many users treat these as interchangeable. They are not.

• Restaking directly can mean you interact with EigenLayer-native contracts and accept the protocol’s rules directly.
• Liquid restaking usually introduces a tokenized position. That can add liquidity benefits, but it can also add wrapper and integration risks.
• Vaults and “one-click” routes can simplify UX, but they can also change what you actually hold and how you exit.

If a campaign is strict about eligibility, “similar exposure” is not the same as “the same route.” Always verify what the program considers eligible, and don’t assume a wrapper inherits points.

A safer workflow for EigenLayer-related campaigns

This is a safety checklist, not a recommendation.

1. Start from official sources. Use the Sources section on this page. Phishing domains are common in restaking because the user intent is high-value.
2. Understand what asset you are holding (native stake vs liquid staking token vs liquid restaking token vs vault share).
3. Keep approvals tight and avoid “infinite approval” when you don’t need it. See: Token approvals and Permit2.
4. Expect snapshots and keep records. See: Points program timelines and snapshots.
5. Plan your exit before you enter. See: Points farming exit plan.

FAQ (EigenLayer + points)

Does restaking guarantee an airdrop?

No. Points and incentives can change, stop, or never convert into tokens. Treat points as uncertainty, not income.

Is restaking “higher yield staking”?

Restaking can increase potential rewards, but it can also add new risks. The correct comparison is not yield vs yield; it’s risk vs risk.

How do I verify an EigenLayer-related campaign is real?

Use: How to verify a points program is real and cross-check official sources. If the only evidence is a random “airdrop list” site, treat it as unverified.

What’s the most common restaking mistake?

Adding layers you don’t understand. Restaking can involve wrappers, vaults, and cross-chain steps. Each layer can change the exit path, the risks, and the way eligibility is tracked.

Official references (primary sources)

• Website: eigenlayer.xyz
• Docs: EigenLayer docs (EigenCloud)
• X / Twitter: @eigenlayer

Next steps

• Browse restaking programs: Restaking category
• Browse all programs: Points directory
• Use the directory filters to compare campaigns by chain, status, and last verified date.