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DeFi in Crisis: Restaking Protocols Are Devouring Liquidity

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The DeFi space is expanding, with liquid staking and restaking protocols gaining more and more  attention. These developments allow users to stake and reuse assets multiple times, offering the potential for higher yields. However, as these systems become more complex, they also introduce potential systemic vulnerabilities.

Projects like EigenLayer are pushing the limits of yield maximization, but are these returns sustainable? The question remains whether these innovations are setting DeFi up for lasting success or creating the next wave of risks.

The Growing Influence

Restaking protocols, led by platforms like EigenLayer, have become a major force in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. Restaking refers to the process where users take assets staked on one protocol, such as Ethereum’s liquid staking tokens (LSTs), and stake them again on another platform to earn additional yields.

This process has unlocked significant earning potential, driving restaking’s rise. In 2024, liquid restaking tokens (LRTs) saw an enormous 4,900% growth in Total Value Locked (TVL), surpassing $15 billion from a mere $280 million in early 2024​. 

“The push for higher yields is a key to keeping staking attractive, especially as the total amount of ETH staked on the Beacon Chain grows and the average APY (annual percentage yield) declines. This is one of the main reasons DeFi and restaking protocols have been so well-received,” Alon Muroch, CEO and Founder at SSV.Labs, told BeInCrypto in an exclusive interview.

Read more: Ethereum Restaking: What Is it and How Does it Work?

Liquid Restaking Protocols TVL
Liquid Restaking Protocols TVL. Source: DeFiLLama

Restaking protocols offer users opportunities to maximize returns on their staked assets without having to sacrifice liquidity. However, as restaking scales, concerns about liquidity and security risks are emerging.

“Each additional layer in restaking increases both risk and reward, making it a choice that users must make based on their risk tolerance. While it introduces more potential points of failure, it also opens up opportunities for significantly greater returns. Ultimately, the user has the freedom to decide the level of exposure they are comfortable with,” Muroch added.

Balancing the Promise and Peril of Restaking

Although the ability to re-use staked assets has been celebrated as an innovation, it simultaneously introduces new layers of exposure. In essence, restaking involves leveraging staked assets across different protocols, which may sound appealing for yield optimization, but it creates systemic vulnerabilities.

Muroch identified several main problems associated with restaking:

  • Smart Contract Vulnerabilities. The complexity of restaking mechanisms increases the potential for bugs and exploits in the smart contracts governing these protocols. Users may lose funds if a contract is compromised.
  • Complexity and Lack of Understanding. As restaking strategies become more complex, there is a risk that users may not fully understand the risks they are taking on. Some Actively Validated Services (AVSs) have higher risk than others due to more/complex slashing criteria for different AVSs.
  • Slashing Risks. If a validator is found guilty of malicious behavior, a portion of their restaked ETH can be slashed. This risk is compounded because node operators are subject to slashing conditions for both the Ethereum base layer and any additional AVSs.

Moreover, the financial architecture behind restaking has left DeFi exposed to potential liquidity drains. For example, EigenLayer’s current restaking system allows users to restake liquid staking tokens (LSTs) multiple times, amplifying liquidity challenges. These risks were evident in the Ankr exploit, where a hacker minted 6 quadrillion fake aBNBc tokens, crashing the price of liquid staking derivatives across various protocols.

The unclear regulatory frameworks add to the complexity of restaking. Muroch cautions that regulators will likely take a cautious approach to restaking, seeing it as distinct from traditional staking because of its added layers of risk and complexity. They may impose stricter regulations to protect investors and ensure the stability of the financial ecosystem as these protocols gain traction.

The Threat of Over-Restaking

EigenLayer, one of the biggest restaking protocols, has garnered over $19 billion in TVL by mid-2024​. While this impressive expansion demonstrates the market’s appetite for higher yields, it raises questions about the sustainability of these protocols. 

The dominance of EigenLayer also poses a unique threat to Ethereum’s overall security. Since these restaking platforms are handling large quantities of staked ETH, any major failure could directly impact Ethereum’s security model.

Experts, including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, have voiced concerns that if a restaking protocol failed, it could lead to calls for a hard fork of Ethereum to “undo” the damage, an outcome that threatens the network’s decentralized consensus​.

Read more: How to Participate in an EigenLayer Airdrop: A Step-by-Step Guide

EigenLayer Restaking Ecosystem
EigenLayer Restaking Ecosystem. Source: staking rewards

Muroch, however, downplayed the severity of the situation, describing it as “theoretically bad, but practically quite unlikely.” 

“If a significant amount of Ether is locked in EigenLayer and a large operator suffers a major slashing event, it could lead to a cascade of slashing damage. In a worst-case scenario, this could compromise the extended security of the Ethereum network. However, it would take the slashed operator not fixing the problem for a long period of time for Ethereum’s security to be threatened,” he explained.

He also highlighted an important upside, noting that restaking raises the cost of corruption for potential attackers. This shift strengthens security by focusing not just on individual protocols but on the total sum of all staked assets.

Hidden Dangers of Yield Optimization

The pursuit of higher yields has led stakers to adopt increasingly complex strategies, which carries both financial and technical risks. Financially, restaking protocols encourage users to stake their assets across multiple platforms, tying up more capital in interconnected systems. This raises systemic financial risks, as vulnerabilities in one protocol could trigger broader consequences across the ecosystem.

Muroch cautions that restaking is still a relatively new concept, making it difficult to predict its long-term effects. The potential for unforeseen issues, especially in volatile markets, adds uncertainty to the future of these strategies.

“Staking rewards have only recently been introduced, meaning it will take some time to fully understand their long-term effects. As always, there are ‘unknown unknowns’ that could arise. In the future, if the value of restaked assets were to drop sharply, the heavy reliance on rehypothecation and complex financial derivatives could trigger a liquidity crisis,” he said.

This would likely cause users to liquidate their positions en masse, worsening market volatility. In such a case, confidence in the underlying protocols might erode further, potentially causing widespread destabilization in the DeFi space.

“At this point it’s really speculative. Looking back to the past in DeFi, trying to milk yields as hard as possible tends to end badly,” Muroch warned.

Ultimately, the success of restaking protocols hinges on their ability to balance maximizing yields with managing the inherent financial and technical risks they introduce. As these systems mature, the sector is beginning to diversify. New competitors are launching their own restaking solutions, which could help decentralize risk currently concentrated in platforms like EigenLayer.

This shift may reduce the systemic vulnerabilities tied to one dominant protocol, leading to a more stable and resilient DeFi ecosystem over time.

“As excitement wanes, the sustainability of these protocols will be tested, and their true value will need to be assessed in a more stable market environment. This transition could reveal whether the innovations are robust or merely speculative trends,” Muroch concluded.

Disclaimer

Following the Trust Project guidelines, this feature article presents opinions and perspectives from industry experts or individuals. BeInCrypto is dedicated to transparent reporting, but the views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of BeInCrypto or its staff. Readers should verify information independently and consult with a professional before making decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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GOAT Price Sees Slower Growth After Reaching $1B Market Cap

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GOAT price has skyrocketed 214.29% in one month, recently breaking into the $1 billion market cap and securing its place as the 10th largest meme coin. It now stands just ahead of MOG, which closely trails its position in the rankings.

However, recent indicators suggest that GOAT’s uptrend may be weakening, raising questions about whether it can sustain its rally or face a potential correction.

GOAT BBTrend Is Negative For The First Time In 4 Days

GOAT BBTrend has turned negative for the first time since November 17, now sitting at -0.54. This shift suggests that bearish momentum is beginning to take hold, with the asset’s recent upward trajectory starting to weaken potentially.

BBTrend measures the strength and direction of price trends using Bollinger Bands, with positive values indicating an uptrend and negative values signaling a downtrend. A negative BBTrend reflects increased downward pressure, which could indicate the start of a broader market shift.

GOAT BBTrend.
GOAT BBTrend. Source: TradingView

GOAT has had an impressive November, gaining 61% and reaching a new all-time high on November 17.

However, the current negative BBTrend, if it persists and grows, could signal the potential for further bearish momentum.

GOAT Is In A Neutral Zone

GOAT’s RSI has dropped to 52, down from over 70 a few days ago when it reached its all-time high. This decline indicates that buying momentum has cooled off, and the market has moved out of the overbought zone.

The drop suggests a shift toward a more neutral sentiment as traders consolidate gains and the strong bullish pressure seen earlier subsides.

GOAT RSI.
GOAT RSI. Source: TradingView

RSI measures the strength and velocity of price changes, with values above 70 indicating overbought conditions and below 30 signaling oversold levels. At 52, GOAT’s RSI is in a neutral zone, neither signaling strong bullish nor bearish momentum.

This could mean the current uptrend is losing strength, and the price may consolidate or move sideways unless renewed buying pressure reignites upward momentum.

GOAT Price Prediction: A New Surge Until $1.50?

If GOAT current uptrend regains strength, it could retest its all-time high of $1.37, establishing its market cap above $1 billion, a fundamental threshold for being among the biggest meme coins in the market today.

Breaking above this level could pave the way for further gains, potentially reaching the next thresholds at $1.40 or even $1.50, signaling renewed bullish momentum and market confidence.

GOAT Price Analysis.
GOAT Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, as shown by indicators like RSI and BBTrend, the uptrend may be losing steam. If a downtrend emerges, GOAT price could test its nearest support zones at $0.80 and $0.69.

Should these levels fail to hold, the price could fall further, potentially reaching $0.419, putting its position in the top 10 ranking of biggest meme coins at risk.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Ripple (XRP) Price Hits 109% Monthly Gain as Indicators Weaken

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Ripple (XRP) price has experienced a significant rally, rising 51.33% in the last seven days and an impressive 109.09% over the past month. This strong momentum has propelled XRP into a bullish phase, with key indicators like EMA lines supporting its upward trajectory.

However, signs of weakening momentum, such as a declining RSI and negative CMF, suggest that caution may be warranted. Whether XRP continues to push higher or faces a steep correction will depend on how the market reacts to these shifting dynamics.

XRP RSI Is Below The Overbought Zone

XRP’s RSI has dropped to 60 after nearly hitting 90 on November 16 and staying above 70 between November 15 and November 17.

This decline indicates that Ripple has moved out of the overbought zone, where intense buying pressure previously drove its price higher. The drop suggests that the market is cooling off, with traders potentially taking profits after the strong rally.

XRP RSI.
XRP RSI. Source: TradingView

The RSI measures the speed and magnitude of price changes, with values above 70 indicating overbought conditions and below 30 signaling oversold levels. At 60, XRP’s RSI reflects a still-positive momentum but shows a more balanced sentiment compared to the previous surge.

While the uptrend remains intact, the lower RSI could indicate a slower pace of gains, with the possibility of consolidation as the market stabilizes. If buying pressure returns, XRP price could extend its upward movement, but a further decline in RSI might signal a weakening bullish momentum.

Ripple CMF Is Now Negative After Staying Positive For 14 Days

XRP Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) is currently at -0.12, after showing positive levels between November 5 and November 19. That is also its lowest level since October 31. This shift into negative territory reflects increased selling pressure and a potential outflow of capital from the asset.

The transition from positive CMF values earlier this month signals a weakening in bullish momentum as more market participants reduce exposure to Ripple.

XRP CMF.
XRP CMF. Source: TradingView

The CMF measures the volume and flow of money into or out of an asset, with positive values indicating capital inflow (bullish) and negative values showing capital outflow (bearish).

XRP’s CMF at -0.12 suggests that bearish sentiment is beginning to gain traction, potentially putting pressure on its price despite the recent uptrend. If the CMF remains negative or declines further, it could indicate sustained selling pressure, challenging Ripple’s ability to continue its upward movement.

Ripple Price Prediction: Biggest Price Since 2021?

XRP’s EMA lines currently display a bullish setup, with short-term lines positioned above the long-term lines and the price trading above all of them.

However, the narrowing distance between the price and some of these lines suggests a potential slowdown in bullish momentum. This could signal that the uptrend is weakening, leaving XRP price vulnerable to a shift in market sentiment.

XRP Price Analysis.
XRP Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

If a downtrend emerges, as indicated by the weakening RSI and negative CMF, Ripple price could face significant pressure and potentially drop to its support at $0.49, representing a substantial 56% correction.

On the other hand, if the uptrend regains strength, XRP could climb to test the $1.27 level and potentially break through to $1.30, which would mark its highest price since May 2021.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Trump Media Files Trademark for Crypto Platform TruthFi

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Trump Media & Technology Group is exploring the development of a crypto payment platform, as revealed by a recent trademark filing. 

The application, submitted by Donald Trump’s social media company on Monday, outlines plans for a service named TruthFi. The proposed platform aims to offer crypto payments, financial custody, and digital asset trading.

Following the trademark announcement, Trump Media’s stock rose approximately 2%. At the time of writing, the stock was trading at $30.44, up by nearly 75% this year. 

However, details about TruthFi remain scarce, including its timeline or operational specifics. This initiative suggests an effort by Trump Media to expand its business model beyond Truth Social. 

The social media platform was established back in 2022, after Trump was banned from Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). 

Trump Media truthfi trademark filiing
TruthFi trademark filing. Source: Trademark Status and Document Retrieval

Nevertheless, launching a large-scale cryptocurrency platform could require Trump Media to acquire additional resources or partner with an established firm. This is because the firm currently has a small workforce of less than 40 employees. 

“The filing, made with the USPTO on Monday, indicates that Trump Media plans to offer: Digital wallets, Cryptocurrency payment processing services, and A digital asset trading platform,” US Trademark Attorney Josh Gerben wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 

As reported by BeInCrypto earlier, Trump Media is also in discussions to purchase the b2b crypto trading platform Bakkt. Shares in Bakkt surged by nearly 140% since the news earlier this week. 

Meanwhile, the President-elect’s crypto plans seem to be in full swing even before he takes office in January. He is also reportedly considering the first-ever crypto advisor role for the White House, and interviewing several potential candidates.

Earlier today, the current SEC chair Gary Gensler announced his resignation before Trump’s term begins. Gensler’s resignation boosted the crypto market, as it signals a major change in the SEC’s regulatory stance

Notably, XRP surged 7% to its highest value in three years. Bitcoin also neared $99,000, as the overall crypto market cap reached $3.4 trillion. 

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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