EigenLayer Unchains AVSs: Base Gets the First Taste 🍷

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Ah, the digital age—where progress is measured not in years, but in the blink of an Ethereum transaction fee. EigenLayer, that stalwart guardian of decentralized dreams, has unveiled a new feature that allows developers to run Actively Validated Services (AVSs) beyond the confines of Ethereum. And where does this grand experiment begin? With Base, of course—a Layer 2 network that promises to be the balm for Ethereum’s high fees and glacial speeds. 🏎️💨

The announcement, made on July 24 via the company’s EigenCloud X account, was met with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for a rare Chekhov play. Until now, AVSs were shackled to Ethereum’s mainnet, where growth was as slow as a Russian winter. But fear not! With the new Multi-Chain Verification feature, AVSs can now frolic on Layer 2 networks like Base, unburdened by the chains of their former existence. 🦋

Developers, those tireless architects of the digital realm, can now set up shop on new chains with the ease of adjusting a few contract parameters. EigenLayer has released this feature as a public preview on Base Sepolia, a testnet where dreams are tested before they become reality. AVSs joining the preview can begin experimenting with multi-chain setups, though one wonders if they’ll also experiment with the finer points of existential despair. 🧪

Operator data will update daily, and critical changes—such as slashing or removing node operators—will sync immediately across all supported chains. Mainnet support is expected in the coming months, though in the world of blockchain, “coming months” is a phrase as reliable as a Chekhovian protagonist’s resolve. 🗓️

This release is part of EigenLayer’s grand vision to build a “verifiable cloud” for decentralized apps and services, a vision that culminated in the launch of EigenCloud on June 17. With over $17 billion in ETH and EIGEN staked, according to DeFiLlama data, EigenLayer is positioning itself as the backbone of web3 infrastructure. One can only hope it doesn’t suffer the same fate as Chekhov’s characters—perpetually on the brink of something, yet never quite achieving it. 💸

The rollout follows the July 22 introduction of EigenCloud’s Redistribution feature, which allows AVSs to redirect slashed funds to reward users or cover losses instead of burning them. Because, as we all know, nothing says “decentralization” like a well-managed redistribution of wealth. 🔄

EigenLayer’s Ongoing Upgrades and Partnerships

EigenLayer has also made technical upgrades to improve performance and reduce costs, because what is life without a little optimization? These include support for the BLS12-381 cryptographic curve, which increases scalability, and MOOCOW, an update to validator efficiency. MOOCOW—a name that evokes both bovine tranquility and technological prowess. 🐮

The protocol is working with major partners like Infura, LayerZero (ZRO), and Pier Two, which manages over $1 billion in delegated assets. Together, these updates showcase EigenCloud’s commitment to building secure, flexible tools for developers working across chains. Though one must wonder: in a world of constant upgrades, is there ever a moment to simply be? 🤝

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2025-07-25 11:22