a16z adds an additional 70 million USD to EigenLayer: Can blockchain now verify off-chain data?

47645512668 – the largest restaking protocol of Ethereum – has just received a new investment of 70 million USD from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) to launch the EigenCloud platform, with the ambition of expanding blockchain's verifiability capabilities to the entire off-chain world.

Until now, blockchain could only verify activities on its network. But EigenCloud changes that by allowing Web2 and AI applications to utilize "blockchain-level verification" technology through autonomous services (AVS). More than 200 AVS are currently operating or in development, ranging from oracles, bridges, to data and security solutions for financial applications.

📌 A highlight is that BlackRock will use EigenCloud to verify asset prices for the fund 67502143021 worth 2 billion USD, demonstrating high practical potential.

EigenCloud consists of 3 main components:

EigenVerify: Resolving data disputes.

EigenDA: Ensuring data availability.

EigenCompute: Off-chain verifiable computation processing.

The total value of assets restaked on EigenLayer has now exceeded 12 billion USD, further reinforcing the platform's reputation and security strength.

This is a significant step that helps blockchain not only serve as a tool for storing assets but also as a reliable verification infrastructure for all off-chain applications – from AI to finance. With the initial launch of the alpha version, EigenCloud is ushering in a new era for decentralized applications expanding into the real world.