Swell plans Layer 2 'restaked rollup' alongside native governance token

Liquid restaking platform Swell Network will launch its own Layer 2 rollup chain, leveraging several features from EigenLayer.

Swell’s rollup will diverge from traditional Layer 2 designs by adopting a “restaked rollup” approach — a specialized Layer 2 framework developed by AltLayer.

To develop the Layer 2 network, Swell will employ Polygon’s chain development kit (CDK) to function as a zkEVM — with AltLayer providing support. The mainnet is planned for the second half of this year. 

This Layer 2 network purports to offer Swell users benefits — including native restaking yield (via Eigen), better scalability and lower fees. The designated gas token for the network will be rswETH, with Swell's upcoming token being used for governance.

Incorporating Eigen’s actively validated services and EigenDA

The network’s restaked rollup structure will incorporate actively validated services (AVS), specialized services built atop EigenLayer, facilitating features like decentralized sequencing and verification through EigenLayer’s restaking mechanism. Additionally, the network will integrate EigenDA to address its data availability requirements.

"Expanding Swell's liquid restaking offerings into the L2 for restaking is the next logical step for the Swell community and DAO. It extends the existing vision of the protocol to deliver the best liquid restaking experience for DeFi," said Swell founder Daniel Dizon.

Swell started as a liquid ETH staking protocol liquid in 2023. Later it shifted focus to liquid restaking products as well. In January, Swell unveiled rswETH, a liquid restaking token that integrates directly with EigenLayer. Swell hosts a total value locked exceeding $1.1 billion across liquid ether staking and liquid restaking products.