Today marks the opening of claims for EigenLayer's native tokens, following the project's distribution and stakedrop plan announcement last month. Users can now claim Eigen tokens, which will remain non-transferable until the end of the third quarter, with the functionality for token transfers expected by September 30, 2024.

Despite the non-transferability of tokens, users can immediately begin staking and delegating to operators of Eigen's native data availability solution, EigenDA. EigenDA is an actively validated service on the network, and users can support it by delegating their stake to an operator via the EigenLayer web portal.

EigenDA will be the first AVS (Availability Service) to utilize an EIGEN quorum, with other AVSs expected to follow suit soon after launch. EigenLayer provides a platform for new proof-of-stake projects to quickly establish security by connecting to a broader trust network, eliminating the need to develop their own security mechanisms.

Since its inception in 2023, EigenLayer has accumulated over $15 billion in ether deposits to secure various protocols, making it a significant player in the blockchain ecosystem. The introduction of the Eigen token complements this ecosystem, introducing inter-subjective forking as a crypto-economic feature to enhance security.

Eigen tokenomics reveal a total supply of 1.67 billion tokens at launch, with a significant portion allocated to the network's community and ecosystem development. Notably, 15% of the token supply is reserved for stakedrops, with 5% available in the first season. The Eigen Foundation has responded to initial criticism regarding the minimum airdrop amount by granting additional tokens to eligible users who interacted with the platform before April 29.

Additionally, investor tokens will begin vesting after token transferability starts, ensuring a fair distribution of tokens over time. Unrelated IOUs of the Eigen token are already trading on pre-markets, indicating early interest and demand for the project.

Eigen's launch of staking delegations through EigenDA marks a significant milestone in the project's development, as it aims to build a robust ecosystem supported by community participation and decentralized governance.