> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://eigenweblayer.gitbook.io/us/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://eigenweblayer.gitbook.io/us/eigen-layer-r.md).

# Eigen Layer®

<figure><img src="/files/U5PPnlh3wOOYSo6v3b6O" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>EigenLayer</strong> is a middleware that is built on the Ethereum network, which lets protocols that integrate with it leverage Ethereum’s highly secure trust network without needing to establish its own validator set, offering an off-chain data availability option to <strong>Layer</strong> 2s to further reduce costs.</p></figcaption></figure>