EigenLayer has commenced the distribution of its native tokens, unveiling an opportunity for users to claim Eigen tokens after the recent announcement of the project's stakedrop plan. The claiming window has opened, indicating that the tokens will be non-transferable until the conclusion of the third quarter. Token transfers are expected to become operational by September 30, 2024.

Even though token transfers are currently restricted, users can engage in staking activities and delegate their tokens to operators within Eigen's native data availability solution, EigenDA. EigenDA stands as a vigorously validated service within the network, encouraging users to support it by delegating their stake to an operator through the EigenLayer web interface.

EigenDA will take the pioneering step of employing an EIGEN quorum among Availability Services (AVS), with the anticipation that other AVSs will subsequently adopt this strategy post-launch. EigenLayer serves as a launchpad for emerging proof-of-stake initiatives seeking to swiftly fortify their security by integrating into a wider trust network, removing the necessity of creating individual security protocols.

Since its establishment in 2023, EigenLayer has amassed over $15 billion in ether deposits to safeguard various protocols, solidifying its position as a key player in the blockchain realm. The debut of the Eigen token further enhances this ecosystem by introducing inter-subjective forking as a crypto-economic feature aimed at bolstering security measures.

The tokenomics of Eigen reveals a total supply of 1.67 billion tokens at its inception, with a considerable allocation designated for the community and ecosystem development. Noteworthy is the allocation of 15% of the token supply for stakedrops, with an initial availability of 5% in the inaugural stage. Criticism regarding the minimum airdrop amount was acknowledged by the Eigen Foundation, which responded by awarding additional tokens to eligible users who actively engaged with the platform before April 29.

Furthermore, investor tokens will undergo a vesting process subsequent to the commencement of token transferability, ensuring an equitable dispersion of tokens across time. Unofficial representations of the Eigen token are currently traded on preliminary markets, indicating an early surge of interest and demand surrounding the project.

Eigen's introduction of staking delegations through EigenDA signifies a crucial advancement in the project's evolution, aiming to construct a resilient ecosystem supported by communal involvement and decentralized governance.