In the Solana ecosystem, simply staking SOL feels like holding a one-way ticket—steady returns, but the scenery is limited. What Solayer is doing is adding a 'connecting stamp' to this ticket: the same SOL can secure the basic safety of L1 while also providing 'power' to various services in the ecosystem, yielding two returns from one principal.
Traditional staking of SOL is like 'anchoring' assets in the security system of L1, earning basic returns for maintaining the mainnet consensus. But Solayer wants to let this asset's energy 'flow' a bit further: the SOL you hold or the already staked LST (like mSOL, jitoSOL) can be 'connected' to a batch of AVS that need security endorsement (such as oracles, cross-chain bridges, and other key components). These AVS enhance their reliability based on your SOL staking power, and you earn an additional 'security sharing fee'—equivalent to having SOL 'stand guard' on the mainnet while also working part-time for ecosystem components, two jobs, one cost.
The key is that this 'part-time job' does not compromise liquidity. The sSOL that Solayer creates is like issuing a 'universal pass' for this asset: you deposit SOL or LST, receive sSOL, and can continue to earn two types of returns (basic staking + AVS sharing) while using sSOL in DeFi—trading, providing liquidity, arbitraging, and doing whatever you need to do. This is not just a simple token; it’s more like an 'energy conversion station' in the ecosystem, stabilizing the safety foundation while allowing assets to flow flexibly.
Some compare it with Ethereum's EigenLayer, but Solayer's 'local advantage' is quite obvious: Solana itself is fast and has low fees, making it particularly suitable for handling this type of 'high-frequency, small-amount' profit-sharing. It's like driving fast on a highway; EigenLayer may be more suitable for long-haul heavy loads, while Solayer can quickly cash in every small profit on Solana's 'fast lane,' which is crucial for scenarios like payments and gaming that require real-time performance—after all, no one wants to wait half a day for a few cents of earnings.
After all, what Solayer does is not make you take bigger risks, but rather digs deeper into the value of SOL: the same asset supports the security framework of L1 while also providing energy to the capillaries within the ecosystem. For those who want to earn a bit more in Solana but do not want to stake extra money or take risks, this is probably the most comfortable position—more earnings without additional trouble.
