Swellchain protocol
Overview
Swellchain is a Layer 2 network launched by Swell Network in December 2024, built on the OP Stack and joining Optimism's Superchain as an optimistic rollup dedicated to restaking. Its distinguishing feature is what Swell calls Proof of Restake: rather than a plain rollup, Swellchain is a 'restaked rollup' — a framework pioneered by AltLayer — in which a set of Actively Validated Services (AVS) secured through EigenLayer restaking augment the chain with decentralised sequencing, decentralised verification and faster finality. At launch Swellchain deployed with two AVS in addition to the AltLayer AVS: Ditto, providing secure automation through its Keeper network, and Hyperlane, providing interoperability. The chain went live after a pre-launch deposit campaign that accrued more than $1 billion in assets from Swell, EtherFi, Renzo and other restaking protocols. Launch partners named by Swell include RedStone Oracles, AltLayer, Symbiotic, EigenLayer, Ethena, EtherFi, Renzo and Kelp. For reference on the wider Swell protocol, DefiLlama's Swell Liquid Restaking entry (rswETH, an ERC-20 liquid restaking token) showed about $24.1M of TVL on Ethereum on 22 July 2026, with SWELL as the token. Swell announced a restaking L2 in March 2024 while its staking protocol held around $1 billion in TVL, initially discussing a Polygon CDK-based design with AltLayer, EigenDA and Chainlink; the chain that shipped in December 2024 was built on the OP Stack and joined the Superchain.
Within the DeFi Intel graph, Swellchain connects to 8 tracked entities, most strongly to EigenLayer, EigenLayer, Symbiotic.
Relations
Top connections in the DeFi Intel knowledge graph (confidence-weighted, 8 of 8 total).
| Relation | Connected entity | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
partnered_with | EigenLayer | 90% |
integrates | EigenLayer | 90% |
partnered_with | Symbiotic | 90% |
partnered_with | Renzo | 90% |
partnered_with | ether.fi | 90% |
partnered_with | Kelp Dao | 90% |
launches | Swellchain Launch | 90% |
integrates | Symbiotic | 85% |
Frequently asked questions
What is Swellchain?
Swellchain is a restaking l2 tracked in the DeFi Intel knowledge graph. It is connected to 8 other tracked entities, most strongly to EigenLayer, EigenLayer, Symbiotic.
What type of entity is Swellchain?
Swellchain is classified as a restaking l2 (protocol) in the DeFi Intel knowledge graph.
What is Swellchain connected to?
In the DeFi Intel knowledge graph, Swellchain is linked to 8 other tracked entities, most strongly to EigenLayer, EigenLayer, Symbiotic.
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