Deep Dive
1. Fee Switch Parameters Approved (15 September 2025)
Overview: The Ethena Foundation confirmed that the Risk Committee's parameters for activating a "fee switch" have been met. This sets the stage for a governance vote that could allow ENA stakers to earn a share of the protocol's revenue.
This development is a major economic upgrade. The fee switch was proposed in November 2024 with specific success metrics, including USDe supply exceeding $6 billion and protocol revenue surpassing $250 million. Meeting these conditions triggers the next phase: finalizing implementation details (like yield benchmarks and reserve management) before a holder vote. It transforms ENA from a governance token into a potential yield-bearing asset.
What this means: This is bullish for ENA because it creates a direct link between protocol success and tokenholder rewards, potentially attracting long-term investors seeking sustainable yield. The activation depends on a future community vote.
(Foresight News)
2. Generalized Restaking Framework Launch (26 June 2024)
Overview: Ethena integrated with Symbiotic to allow ENA to be staked (restaked) to provide economic security, starting with cross-chain transfers of USDe secured via LayerZero's network.
This technical integration adds a new utility layer for ENA. Staked ENA acts as a form of collateral to validate and secure the movement of Ethena's stablecoin assets across different blockchains. This framework is also designed to support future infrastructure on the planned Ethena Chain, such as oracles and shared sequencers.
What this means: This is bullish for ENA because it increases the token's fundamental utility beyond simple governance, embedding it into the protocol's security and expansion mechanisms. Stakers also earn additional reward points.
(Ethena Labs)
3. Updated Token Locking Requirements (17 June 2024)
Overview: The protocol introduced new vesting rules requiring users receiving ENA from airdrops to lock at least 50% of their claimable tokens, or risk forfeiting unvested amounts.
This is a tokenomic update aimed at aligning holder incentives. The forfeited tokens are redistributed to users who lock their ENA in approved pools (Ethena locking, PT-ENA on Pendle, or Symbiotic restaking). The goal is to encourage long-term alignment over short-term selling.
What this means: This is neutral to bullish for ENA because it structurally reduces immediate sell pressure from newly vested tokens, which could support price stability. It incentivizes users to participate in the ecosystem's staking and locking mechanisms.
(Ethena Labs)
Conclusion
Ethena's recent updates strategically enhance ENA's utility through restaking and impending revenue sharing, shifting its value proposition towards a core, yield-generating asset within its expanding ecosystem. Will the activation of the fee switch meet community approval and set a new standard for DeFi token value accrual?