YieldNest

YieldNest is a decentralized liquid restaking protocol founded in 2023 by Amadeo Brands, Shawn Fladager, and Dan Octavian, and is headquartered in Singapore. The protocol launched on the mainnet on May 14, 2024, aiming to optimize yields for Ethereum (ETH) holders. It operates on the EigenLayer, a protocol on Ethereum that introduces restaking, allowing users to stake their ETH across multiple protocols simultaneously to earn rewards without compromising liquidity.

The company's core offering is its Liquid Restaking Tokens (LRTs), including native Liquid Restaking Tokens (nLRTs) like ynETH, which allow users to directly stake ETH. YieldNest provides curated baskets of Actively Validated Services (AVSs), enabling users to gain controlled, liquid, and risk-adjusted exposure. This model seeks to create a symbiotic relationship between restakers, node operators, and AVSs. The protocol also utilizes AI-driven tools for dynamic strategy reallocation and real-time security monitoring to maximize returns while managing risk.

YieldNest serves both sophisticated DeFi users and investors seeking simpler ways to earn from crypto assets. The business model is centered on simplifying the complex restaking process, where users deposit assets into vaults and receive yield-bearing tokens that appreciate as rewards accrue. The platform generates revenue by taking a percentage of the rewards earned by users. In April 2024, YieldNest raised $5.2 million in a funding round from investors including Faculty Group, Backed VC, and founders of major DeFi projects like Curve and Kyber.

Keywords: liquid restaking, EigenLayer, yield optimization, Ethereum staking, DeFi protocol, Actively Validated Services, AVS, ynETH, Liquid Restaking Tokens, LRT, risk-adjusted returns, decentralized finance, crypto yield, blockchain finance, digital assets, node operators, ynLSD, AI in DeFi, financial protocols, crypto asset management