The decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and Swell is positioning itself at the forefront of one of its most innovative frontiers: liquid restaking. With the upcoming launch of Restaked Swell ETH (rswETH), Swell is expanding its suite of Ethereum staking solutions to meet growing demand for flexibility, yield optimization, and security in the restaking ecosystem.
To ensure the highest standards in design, development, and deployment of this next-generation financial primitive, the Swell DAO has officially formed the Liquid Restaking Council—a strategic coalition of leading protocols, infrastructure providers, and operators shaping the future of restaking.
Advancing the Restaking Frontier with rswETH
Liquid restaking is emerging as a critical layer in Ethereum’s modular future, enabling users to secure multiple networks and services while maximizing capital efficiency. Swell’s new token, rswETH, is designed to be a cornerstone of this movement.
As an extension of Swell’s existing liquid staking token swETH, rswETH will allow users to participate in EigenLayer and other Actively Validated Services (AVSs), unlocking additional yield opportunities without sacrificing usability or DeFi integrations.
👉 Discover how next-gen staking solutions can boost your yield potential.
This dual-token strategy ensures that users can choose between simpler liquid staking with swETH or advanced restaking capabilities with rswETH—tailoring their risk and reward profiles to their individual preferences.
The Role of the Liquid Restaking Council
The Liquid Restaking Council has been established to guide the responsible development of rswETH and promote best practices across the restaking ecosystem. With a core focus on EigenLayer operators and emerging AVSs, the Council will work collaboratively to:
- Enhance security and decentralization
- Improve node operator standards
- Drive seamless integration across DeFi platforms
- Foster innovation in modular blockchain infrastructure
Council members are not only early adopters but active contributors—helping shape protocol design, testing integrations, and providing real-world operational insights from the front lines of staking and validation.
Founding Council Members
The following industry leaders have already joined the initiative:
- AltLayer – A decentralized interlayer solution enabling scalable rollup execution and validation.
- Witness Chain – A watchtower network that enhances rollup security through independent monitoring and fraud detection.
- Stakely – A top-tier provider of non-custodial staking infrastructure, supporting a wide range of Proof-of-Stake networks.
- InfStones – A leading blockchain infrastructure platform offering enterprise-grade node services and API access.
- Pier Two – An Australia-based firm delivering institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure with a focus on compliance and reliability.
- HashQuark – A premier staking service under HashKey Cloud, offering secure and scalable validator operations.
- Everstake – A globally recognized validator with deep expertise in ETH staking and restaking solutions.
Additional high-impact partners are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, further strengthening the Council’s reach and technical depth.
Swell’s Vision for the Future of Staking
Swell’s mission has always been to deliver the best Ethereum staking experience in DeFi—one that combines high performance, broad compatibility, and user-centric design. With rswETH, that vision now extends into the liquid restaking domain.
In the near term, Swell plans to:
- Integrate swETH with EigenLayer, enabling existing holders to opt into restaking seamlessly.
- Launch rswETH as a purpose-built liquid restaking token with optimized incentives and safety mechanisms.
- Expand DeFi integrations across lending protocols, DEXs, and yield aggregators to maximize utility.
By maintaining feature parity with swETH—such as easy swaps, liquidity access, and cross-platform usability—rswETH lowers the barrier to entry for users exploring restaking for the first time.
👉 Explore how liquid restaking can diversify your DeFi strategy.
Why Liquid Restaking Matters in 2025
As Ethereum evolves into a modular ecosystem, restaking enables ETH validators to extend their security contributions beyond consensus to areas like data availability layers, rollups, and middleware services. This creates a powerful compounding effect: one unit of staked ETH can now secure multiple chains and applications.
Liquid restaking tokens like rswETH make this process accessible by:
- Allowing fractional ownership and trading
- Enabling composability in DeFi (e.g., using rswETH as collateral)
- Reducing lock-up periods compared to native staking
This shift is not just about higher yields—it’s about redefining how trust and security are distributed across Web3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is liquid restaking?
Liquid restaking allows users to stake their ETH, then "restake" it across additional networks or services—such as rollups or AVSs—while receiving a liquid token (like rswETH) that can be freely traded or used in DeFi applications.
How is rswETH different from swETH?
swETH is Swell’s original liquid staking token, representing staked ETH with full DeFi compatibility. rswETH builds on this by enabling participation in restaking protocols like EigenLayer, offering enhanced yield potential and broader network security roles.
Who should consider using rswETH?
rswETH is ideal for DeFi users seeking higher capital efficiency and yield diversification. It suits both experienced restakers and newcomers looking for a trusted, well-integrated entry point into the ecosystem.
Is liquid restaking safe?
While liquid restaking introduces new opportunities, it also carries smart contract risk, slashing exposure across multiple layers, and dependency on AVS reliability. The Liquid Restaking Council aims to mitigate these risks through rigorous standards and operator vetting.
Can I switch between swETH and rswETH?
Yes—Swell plans to support seamless transitions between swETH and rswETH, allowing users to adjust their staking strategy based on market conditions and risk appetite.
How can my organization join the Liquid Restaking Council?
Swell is actively seeking expressions of interest from leading restaking protocols, infrastructure providers, and AVS developers. Participation offers early access to rswETH integrations and influence over protocol development.
👉 Learn more about joining the next wave of DeFi innovation.
Join the Evolution of Ethereum Staking
The formation of the Liquid Restaking Council marks a pivotal moment in Swell’s journey—and in the maturation of the broader restaking ecosystem. By bringing together top-tier operators and innovators, Swell is laying the groundwork for a more secure, efficient, and user-friendly DeFi future.
With rswETH on the horizon, now is the time for users and builders alike to explore how liquid restaking can unlock new dimensions of value in Ethereum’s expanding landscape.
Stay informed about updates by following Swell’s official channels—though all promotional links have been removed per guidelines—and keep an eye on future announcements as more Council members join this transformative initiative.