What is the 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 Stakers’ rewards over time. This guidebook is for Stakers 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 proposing changes focused on incentivizing productive use of stake and rewarding live AVSs. These changes will be announced on the Incentives Committee Forum page.

Where can stakers now allocate stake?

While reward allocation will shift over time if ELIP-12 is adopted, Stakers can start today by delegating their stake to Operators with productive use of stake, such as AVSs with slashable or redistributable stake.

Services like DIN, EigenZero, and CAP represent the type of mainnet launches the current proposal is prioritizing**.** By supporting Operators running these types of services and future successful mainnet AVSs, you position yourself to earn EIGEN rewards while contributing to network security.

How to Get Started

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

Begin allocating your stake towards Operators running live AVSs at app.eigenlayer.xyz/operator.

Staker 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.