Definition

Liquid restaking (LRT)

Re-using already-staked ETH (typically held as a liquid staking token) to secure additional services, earning extra yield in exchange for additional slashing exposure.

EigenLayer introduced restaking on Ethereum in 2024. The flow: take stETH/cbETH/rETH, deposit into EigenLayer, opt in to "secure" specific Actively Validated Services (AVSs). Each AVS pays additional yield; if the validator fails its duties on any AVS, restakers get slashed.

Liquid restaking tokens (LRTs) like ezETH, weETH, rsETH wrap the EigenLayer position so it can still be used in DeFi. Yields on LRTs are higher than vanilla LSTs (target 5-10% vs 3-5%) but with stacked slashing risk and additional smart-contract layers.

Why it matters

Restaking is the largest DeFi primitive launched in 2024. Multi-billion-dollar TVL, but the slashing-risk multiplication is genuinely novel — protocols failing in cascades is plausible.

How CryptoRadar24 tracks it

CryptoRadar24 includes major LRT protocols in DeFi TVL snapshots and reports on slashing or de-peg events.

Related terms

Liquid staking
Staking native tokens (ETH, SOL, etc.) through a protocol that issues a tradable receipt token, allowing the staked position to remain liquid and used elsewhere in DeFi.
Total Value Locked (TVL)
Aggregate value of crypto assets deposited in DeFi protocols.
Yield Farming
Earning rewards by providing liquidity or staking tokens in DeFi protocols.

FAQ

What's the difference between LST and LRT?

LST (liquid staking token, like stETH) is a single staked-ETH position. LRT (liquid restaking token, like ezETH) takes that LST and re-stakes it on EigenLayer for additional yield + risk.

How is restaking yield generated?

AVSs (Actively Validated Services) pay restakers for securing them — oracles, bridges, data availability layers, etc. The yield is fees from those services, not protocol issuance.

Is restaking safe?

It's strictly riskier than vanilla staking. You add EigenLayer smart-contract risk + AVS-specific slashing risk on top of existing ETH staking risk.

What is points farming?

Many LRT protocols launched with off-chain "points" promising future token airdrops based on usage. This drove massive deposits in 2024 — most major LRTs converted points to tokens by late 2024-2025.