Symbiotic: secure, flexible, and decentralized restaking

Blockchain security is often expensive and limited. Symbiotic changes that with a permissionless restaking model that connects networks in need of protection with capital seeking yield. This way, networks benefit from shared security, and users multiply their rewards.

In this guide, you’ll learn what Symbiotic is, why it stands out, and how to restake with Stakely step by step.

Symbiotic is a protocol that acts as a coordination layer for economic security. It enables any decentralized network to acquire modular security using any ERC‑20 token (including staked tokens or LPs) as collateral.

In other words, instead of each protocol relying on its own validator set, Symbiotic offers a capital base that can be reused (restaking) to secure multiple networks simultaneously.

This makes it a powerful alternative for scaling blockchain infrastructure in a secure, open, and efficient way.

Restaking and shared security

In short, Symbiotic stands out for two main features:

• Restaking: allows redelegation of already-staked collateral to add new revenue streams without unlocking it.
• Shared security: multiple networks consume the same economic guarantee, lowering capital costs and enhancing decentralization.

The best way to understand how Symbiotic works is by looking at the key components of its ecosystem. Each one plays a vital role in making shared security function seamlessly:

• Stakers: stakers provide collateral. Anyone can deposit tokens into a vault and earn rewards. This collateral acts as a guarantee to back the networks.
• Vaults: vaults are smart contracts that hold the collateral and delegate it to operators following the strategy set by the curator.
• Curators: curators assign delegation to the operators.
• Operators: entities (like Stakely) that manage infrastructure for decentralized networks and receive delegation through vaults to validate according to each network’s rules.
• Networks: these can be layer 1 blockchains, layer 2 solutions, or other decentralized systems. They pay rewards to operators in exchange for security.
• Resolvers: they monitor the system and apply slashing in case of failure. When slashing occurs, part of the collateral is burned as a penalty to protect the networks.

How Symbiotic works

• Multi-asset and permissionless: no need for ETH—you can use any ERC-20 token as collateral. No permission is required to participate.
• Fully modular: each network defines its own participation, slashing, and reward rules.
• True decentralization: the base contracts are immutable, with no centralized control over the system.
• Capital efficiency: the same token can generate DeFi yields, secure multiple networks, and earn points or incentives simultaneously.

Here are specific examples of how different projects are already using Symbiotic to enhance their security while offering additional yield to stakers:

• Radius: a Secure Block Building (SBB) solution for rollups that safely and decentralizely captures MEV. It leverages Symbiotic’s shared security with staking and slashing to protect the operators powering its infrastructure.
• Ditto Network: a decentralized execution layer for event-based automation. It uses Symbiotic to integrate restaking and reinforce its economic security with incentivized and slashable operators.
• Kalypso: a cross-chain bridge that uses Symbiotic as an intermediary to deposit anti-fraud bonds for its bridge validators.

These are just a few examples of how Symbiotic allows each protocol to customize its slashing and reward rules, while stakers diversify income with a single click.

Stakely participates as an operator in various vaults curated by third parties. This means you can put your collateral to work while trusting our team with the technical operations.

Check out our vaults!

Gauntlet x Swell swBTC Vault (WBTC)

How to join?

1. Go to the Symbiotic dApp and select the Gauntlet × Swell swBTC Vault.
2. Deposit WBTC; the contract will automatically convert it into swBTC.
3. The vault will delegate part of the collateral to Stakely as an operator.
4. Start receiving rewards from the secured networks and earn Symbiotic points.

Gauntlet Restaked wstETH Vault (wstETH)

How to join?

1. Select the Gauntlet Restaked wstETH Vault in the Symbiotic dApp.
2. Deposit wstETH.
3. The vault distributes delegation among operators, including Stakely.
4. Earn rewards from the networks secured by the Vault, accumulate Symbiotic points, and gain additional yield on top of Lido rewards.

Absolutely! Symbiotic introduces a new model of modular, permissionless, multi-asset shared security, allowing you to maximize your returns through restaking. All while providing economic security to the network.

Start now! Visit our Symbiotic operator page and discover which vaults we’re participating in.