Ethereum’s Restaking Race: Top 5 Projects to Know
1. Ekox – One Move, Endless Yield
Ekox is a next-generation restaking protocol designed to make participation simple, automated, and rewarding. By combining stake + restake yields, it creates sustainable income opportunities while strengthening Ethereum’s security.
At its core is the native LRT token exETH, giving ETH holders liquid access to rewards without losing flexibility. That means more yield while keeping full control of your capital.
The project has already crossed $70M TVL on testnet, processed over 500,000 transactions, and built visibility through global events. Right now, it’s live with a $300,000 BuzzDrop on ChainGPT Pad, giving early participants direct access to $EKOX.
2. EigenLayer
EigenLayer is the original pioneer of Ethereum restaking. It allows ETH stakers to “reuse” their stake to secure additional protocols, effectively extending Ethereum’s trust network. For protocols, this unlocks fast bootstrapping of security; for stakers, it introduces new yield streams on top of their ETH rewards.
EigenLayer dominates the restaking sector by TVL, but its mechanics are relatively complex compared to newer user-first designs like Ekox. The tradeoff: greater flexibility for builders, but steeper learning curves for retail stakers.
3. Karak
Karak positions itself as a modular restaking hub. With flexible vault structures and a focus on slashing protection, Karak allows multiple ecosystems—not just Ethereum—to leverage restaked assets for security.
The project has gained attention for its ambitions to extend restaking beyond ETH, exploring a multi-chain restaking economy. While still in its early days, Karak is considered a serious contender to EigenLayer’s dominance.
4. Puffer Finance
Puffer Finance aims to improve validator decentralization while maximizing capital efficiency. Its approach centers on secure-signer infrastructure and high-performance validators, designed to lower barriers for solo stakers.
By opening restaking opportunities to a wider base of validators, Puffer positions itself as the protocol that could make Ethereum’s restaking landscape more inclusive and distributed—appealing to those who prioritize decentralization alongside yield.
5. Stader ETHx
Stader has long been recognized for its multi-chain liquid staking solutions, and ETHx is its Ethereum-native product with restaking compatibility. ETHx allows users to participate in EigenLayer restaking while keeping liquidity through a staked ETH derivative.
With Stader’s established reputation across multiple ecosystems, ETHx provides stakers with a more conservative entry point into restaking, combining the security of a trusted staking provider with exposure to Ethereum’s emerging restaking economy.