Definition ∞ AVS Bootstrapping refers to the initial process of establishing economic security for an Actively Validated Service (AVS) by attracting sufficient restaked capital. This foundational phase involves gathering enough staked tokens to secure the AVS’s operations and deter malicious behavior through potential slashing penalties. Successful bootstrapping ensures the AVS possesses robust economic guarantees for its services, critical for its operational reliability. The process is vital for the launch and stability of new decentralized applications.
Context ∞ The concept of AVS Bootstrapping is central to the EigenLayer ecosystem and similar restaking protocols, where new services acquire security from Ethereum stakers. Discussions often focus on the optimal strategies for attracting initial capital, balancing validator incentives with the security requirements of the AVS. Its effective implementation is a key factor in the adoption and trustworthiness of novel decentralized infrastructure components.