Google Cloud has launched its EigenLayer main network node operator, marking a milestone for the recovery protocol and its ecosystem.
Sam Padilla, Web3 product manager and node operator at Google Cloud, announced the successful launch of the company’s EigenLayer mainnet operator on X (formerly Twitter).
I’m happy to share that the @googlecloud Eigen Layer mainnet operator is up and running!
Congratulations to the @eigenlayer team on a successful mainnet launch.
Excited for what’s to come!https://t.co/4wcotltiBu
— Sam Padilla (@theSamPadilla) April 9, 2024
This move follows Google Cloud’s previous involvement in EigenLayer’s “Operator Working Group,” along with more than 65 other operators and solo strikers.
EigenLayer, a re-recording protocol that allows ether (ETH) to be staked on multiple platforms simultaneously, went live for stakers in June. However, operators, which improve security and allow stakers to delegate assets, have been in testnet so far. The launch of Google Cloud’s mainnet operator marks a critical step toward fully realizing EigenLayer’s vision.
Google Cloud’s involvement in the Web3 space has grown steadily since the creation of its blockchain division in January 2022, which was led by Shivakumar Venkataraman, an engineering VP for Google under Alphabet Inc. The company has launched several initiatives, including the Blockchain Node Engine, a web3 startup program, and partnerships with protocols such as Polygon and LayerZero.
The tech giant’s participation in EigenLayer has not been without controversy, with some seeing the presence of a major cloud computing service as a potential threat to decentralization. However, EigenLayer’s permissionless operator registration allows for a wide range of participants, from solo strikers to large institutions.
As EigenLayer continues to evolve and attract more operators and stakers, the protocol aims to foster open innovation powered by Ethereum’s programmable trust. The successful launch of Google Cloud’s mainnet operator marks an important milestone in this journey and paves the way for further adoption and growth of the EigenLayer ecosystem.
Note: This article was produced with the help of AI, specifically Claude 3 Opus for text and OpenAI’s GPT-4 for images. The editor has extensively reviewed the content to meet journalistic standards of objectivity and neutrality.
