Solana’s ecosystem continues to evolve, and with market sentiment gradually warming, new infrastructure projects are capturing attention. While recent airdrops like Sanctum saw underwhelming responses, anticipation is building around the next wave of capital-moving innovations. Among them, Solayer has emerged as a leading restaking protocol on Solana, drawing significant traction with over $120 million in total value locked (TVL) by mid-July 2025.
As user demand for enhanced yield and decentralized infrastructure grows, Solayer positions itself at the forefront of Solana’s next-phase development. This article explores what Solayer is, how it works, its unique value proposition, and how users can participate in this promising ecosystem.
What Is Solayer?
Solayer is a restaking protocol built for the Solana blockchain, designed to unlock additional utility from staked SOL assets. By leveraging Solana’s native proof-of-stake (PoS) security, Solayer allows users to re-deploy their staked tokens—such as SOL, mSOL, or JitoSOL—into secure, high-performance decentralized applications (DApps) across the ecosystem.
Unlike traditional staking, which only earns standard PoS rewards, Solayer enables participants to earn multiple yield streams, including:
- Native staking rewards
- Maximum Extractable Value (MEV) gains
- Incentives from Actively Validated Services (AVS)
This multi-layered return model makes Solayer an attractive option for yield-optimized users seeking passive income beyond basic staking.
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The protocol operates without introducing a new token or relying on centralized custodians. Instead, it uses existing validators on the Solana network, ensuring decentralization and minimizing trust assumptions. This approach enhances both security and scalability while empowering DApps to create their own customized AVS-LSTs (Liquid Staked Tokens tailored for specific services).
Think of Solana as a high-speed digital highway. Different DApps are vehicles needing varying levels of speed, priority access, and toll efficiency. Solayer acts as the intelligent traffic coordinator—routing capital efficiently between users, validators, and service providers—maximizing throughput and minimizing congestion.
Key Features That Set Solayer Apart
1. Dual Focus: Exogenous vs. Endogenous AVS
Inspired by Ethereum’s EigenLayer, Solayer reimagines restaking for Solana’s unique architecture. While EigenLayer focuses on extending Ethereum’s security to external Layer 2s and cross-chain systems (Exogenous AVS), Solayer emphasizes Endogenous AVS—services that operate natively within the Solana chain.
Exogenous AVS Examples:
- Cross-chain bridges
- Oracle networks
- Shared sequencers
These benefit from shared security but exist outside the main chain.
Endogenous AVS (Solayer’s Focus):
- High-throughput DApps
- Priority transaction routing
- Customizable blockspace allocation
By focusing on internal applications, Solayer helps DApps secure guaranteed blockspace and faster execution—critical advantages in a network known for speed but occasionally challenged by congestion.
2. Flexible Unbonding & Emergency Exit
One major concern with restaking protocols is lock-up duration and lack of exit flexibility. Solayer addresses this by allowing AVS operators to design their own unbonding mechanisms—up to a maximum of 48 hours. This provides greater agility compared to rigid vesting schedules seen elsewhere.
Additionally, Solayer includes an emergency exit mechanism. If an AVS fails or becomes compromised, users can promptly withdraw their staked assets, reducing exposure to downtime or malicious behavior.
3. No New Token Required
Unlike many restaking platforms that issue governance or utility tokens, Solayer currently operates without launching its own token. This reduces speculative pressure and aligns incentives around actual usage rather than token farming—a refreshing shift toward sustainable growth.
Funding and Ecosystem Support
On July 2, 2025, Solayer announced the close of its Builder Round, attracting backing from prominent figures in the Web3 space despite no formal institutional funding disclosed. Notable supporters include:
- Anatoly Yakovenko, Co-founder of Solana Labs
- Rooter, Founder of Solend
- Richard Wu, Co-founder of Tensor
- Sandeep Nailwal, Co-founder of Polygon
This level of founder-driven support signals strong confidence in Solayer’s technical vision and long-term role in strengthening Solana’s application layer.
How to Participate in Solayer Restaking
Solayer Labs is rolling out a multi-phase points program to reward early adopters. The system prioritizes early engagement and sustained participation through a gamified incentive structure.
Phase Overview:
Phase 1 (May 27 – June 15): Capped at $50 million TVL
- Reached capacity quickly due to high demand
- Deposits above 10 SOL unlocked permanent referral codes
Current Phase (Phase 3): No TVL cap
- Open for all users
- Native SOL deposits earn higher points than LSTs
Users access tasks via the platform dashboard. Completing actions such as inviting friends, depositing LSTs, or maintaining long-term deposits increases point accumulation. These points may influence future airdrop eligibility or governance rights if a token is introduced later.
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Early supporters on the whitelist enjoyed bonus multipliers during initial deposit windows—highlighting the importance of timing in decentralized incentive programs.
Is Restaking Necessary on Solana?
This question sparks debate in the crypto community. Critics argue that since Solana is an integrated blockchain—processing execution, settlement, and data availability on one layer—it doesn’t face the same fragmentation issues as modular chains like Ethereum.
Ryan Connor from Blockworks Research notes that Ethereum’s reliance on Layer 2s creates a natural need for shared security via restaking. In contrast, Solana’s monolithic design reduces dependency on external validation layers.
However, demand for customizable security and performance is growing even within integrated chains. High-frequency DApps, NFT marketplaces, and DeFi protocols increasingly require guaranteed transaction inclusion and scalable infrastructure—needs that Solayer directly addresses.
While restaking introduces potential risks—such as protocol complexity ("stacking risk") or smart contract vulnerabilities—Solayer mitigates these through tight integration with native staking mechanics and transparent validator delegation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use liquid staked tokens (LSTs) like JitoSOL in Solayer?
A: Yes. Solayer supports multiple asset types including native SOL, mSOL, and JitoSOL, giving users flexibility in how they allocate capital.
Q: Is there a minimum deposit requirement?
A: There is no strict minimum, but larger deposits (e.g., 10 SOL or more) unlock additional benefits such as referral codes and higher point multipliers.
Q: Does Solayer have its own token?
A: Not yet. The project has not launched a native token, though future issuance remains possible based on community governance or incentive needs.
Q: How does Solayer ensure security?
A: It leverages Solana’s existing PoS validator set, avoiding reliance on third-party custodians or new trust assumptions. This maintains decentralization while enabling advanced use cases.
Q: What happens if an AVS fails?
A: Users can trigger an emergency exit to reclaim their staked assets quickly, thanks to built-in safety mechanisms managed by the delegation manager.
Q: Are there withdrawal penalties or long lock-up periods?
A: No. Unbonding periods are capped at 48 hours, and AVS operators can customize release schedules for greater flexibility.
The Road Ahead for Solayer
With over $120 million TVL and strong builder momentum, Solayer stands out as the most adopted restaking solution on Solana. Its focus on endogenous services fills a critical gap in application-level scalability and security—offering tangible utility beyond speculative token incentives.
As more DApps seek reliable infrastructure to handle peak loads and priority transactions, protocols like Solayer could become foundational to Solana’s next growth cycle.
Whether or not a native token launches in the future, the project’s emphasis on real-world usability, user safety, and developer empowerment sets a high bar for innovation in the restaking space.
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By combining yield optimization with robust infrastructure support, Solayer isn’t just another DeFi trend—it’s shaping up to be a core pillar of Solana’s evolving ecosystem.
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