What is this change?

A proposed update to EigenLayer’s incentives program marks a step forward in the evolution of the EigenLayer protocol and ecosystem. These changes may impact Operators’ rewards over time. This guidebook is for Operators who want to strategically allocate their stake in 2026.

Why this change?

A one-size-fits-all approach limits optionality and speed for iterating on incentives as the ecosystem evolves. With the implementation of ELIP-12, the Protocol Council and Incentives Committee will be able to promote the long-term viability and growth of the protocol by setting emissions policy to:

1. Direct rewards to real activity. EigenLayer’s maturing AVS ecosystem—with teams like ETHGas, Infura's DIN, LayerZero, and CAP hitting mainnet with slashable or redistributable stake enabled—needs capital backing to scale. Rewards should flow to services attracting productive stake and emissions may be reduced to idle capital that does not secure AVSs.
2. Reduce overall emissions. Work together to ensure emissions are set at the right level.
3. Focus on quality over quantity. Concentrate incentives on a smaller number of high-quality participants that drive network security and usage, rather than spreading rewards broadly to idle stake.
4. Enable thoughtful discretion. Adapt quickly and avoid blanket policies that can be gamed or exploited.

When will this change go live?

ELIP-12 was recently introduced on the Forum. There will be no changes to EIGEN rewards and emissions until the Protocol Council approves the ELIP and implements the onchain changes needed to create the Incentives Committee and authorize it to allocate emissions. After implementation, the newly established Incentives Committee may begin to propose changes focused on incentivizing productive use of stake and rewarding live AVSs. These changes will be announced on the Incentives Council Forum page.

How Can Operators Prepare for this change?

While reward allocations will shift over time, Operators can start today by running high-quality AVSs that attract productive stake.

Operators should engage with AVS builders about how their services balance risk and reward for Stakers and Operators.  Focus on running high-quality, slashable AVSs. Mainnet services like DIN and CAP represent the type of launches that the current proposal is prioritizing as demonstrating network value. By operating these services and future successful mainnet AVSs, you position yourself to earn EIGEN rewards while contributing to network security and AVS success.

How to Get Started

We recommend Operators review our Operators Guidebook on Slashing to educate themselves on allocating stake to AVSs with slashing enabled.

Begin running these live AVSs at app.eigenlayer.xyz/avs.

Operators FAQs

Q: Are any existing funds or incentives being impacted or changed by this proposal?

A: No, all funds are secure and all rewards that have previously been awarded remain safe. The current incentive structure remains unchanged until a later time if and when the Incentives Council is accepted via governance, stood up, and makes new policy.

Q: Will I still be able to access my stake and rewards?