Google Cloud joins EigenLayer as a mainnet node operator

Google Cloud has made a significant advancement for the restaking protocol and its ecosystem by launching its EigenLayer mainnet node operator. Sam Padilla, the web3 product manager and node operator at Google Cloud, expressed excitement about the launch and congratulated the EigenLayer team. Prior to this, Google Cloud participated in EigenLayer’s “Operator Working Group” alongside 65 other operators and solo stakers. Currently, Google Cloud web3 is listed as a node operator on the Goerli testnet for EigenLayer, allowing ETH to be staked on multiple platforms simultaneously. The deployment of Google Cloud’s mainnet operator marks a crucial step towards achieving EigenLayer’s true vision. Google Cloud has been progressively entering the Web3 space, with the launch of the Blockchain Node Engine and the establishment of a web3 startup program. They have also shown interest in staking by becoming a Polygon validator. In addition, Google Cloud has partnered with LayerZero, serving as their default oracle for cross-chain transactions. However, their entry into web3 has sparked discussions about the impact on decentralization.