Infura is a service offered by the company Consensys. In practice, it is an infrastructure intended for developers, to whom it offers an API (Application Programming Interface). For example, developers can access to blockchain nodes. After numerous criticisms of the centralization of this service, Consensys has announced its desire to decentralize it through a partnership with the resuming protocol EigenLayer.
- Consensys announced the decentralization of its developer-critical service Infura in partnership with EigenLayer.
- The Infura Decentralized Infrastructure Network (DIN) has planned to launch as a decentralized service, marking a major step for web access3.
Infura: an ugly centralization machine?
Infura is an extremely useful framework for developers. For example, it allows access to full nodes on Ethereum without having to run them. A boon for developers who can now focus on developing their app.
However, over time, Infura has become more and more important on Ethereum. So much so that in 2020 after the crossroads Infura suffered an outage that crippled part of the Ethereum network.
A critical situation because Ethereum is highly dependent on Infura for its operation.
However in 2023 Consensys has shared its desire to decentralize its Infura servicefor the good of Ethereum. A project that seems to be making great progress.
Consensys decentralizes Infura with Eigenlayer AVS
In parallel with the Devcon 2024 conference, the Consensys teams announced via a publication on their official blog decentralization of Infury.
So Consensys announces that its Infura Decentralized Infrastructure Network (DIN) will soon launch as AVS on the EigenLayer protocol.
“Today, at Devcon 2024 in Bangkok, DIN revealed its plan to also launch as AVS EigenLayer, marking a new chapter for connectivity and wider access to the web3 across multiple blockchain networks. »
Instead of using a single centralized infrastructure managed by Infura, DIN connects many independent infrastructure providers. These providers share responsibility for operating and maintaining nodes for Ethereum and other blockchains.
EigenLayer keeps an eye on things
on his part, EigenLayer ensures that node providers meet defined standards. As a reminder, a Actively Authenticated Service (AVS) he EigenLayer is a decentralized service that requires specific authentication mechanisms to verify operations. These services include side chains, layers data availabilitynew virtual machines, oracles, bridges and many more.
In practice, DIN is a decentralized Web3 API marketplace that aims to make access to blockchains more accessible, reliable and efficient. It allows developers to connect to Ethereum and other blockchains without having to manage their own node infrastructure and in a decentralized manner.
More blockchains have recently joined Ethereum on the DIN network. We can find Blast L2, Mantle, Starknet, ZKsync, BNB Smart Chain (BSC), opBNB and Scroll, among others.
“Building on Ethereum’s economic security through EigenLayer, we continue to build on DIN’s continued progress in creating a permissionless web marketplace for infrastructure services. »
In parallel with this announcement, Consensys announced further developments in its services. So on the occasion of Devcon 2024, we found out the upcoming Linea layer 2 control decentralization, developed by Consensys. In addition, the company announced the launch of its governance token in the first quarter of 2025.
