# Slash Mechanism

Slashing is unique to Proof of Stake (PoS) protocols as it requires the blockchain to execute penalties.

In EigenLayer, collaboration between stakeholders and operators is crucial. When stakeholders delegate their ETH, they express explicit trust in the operators, expecting them to abide by principles of honesty. To ensure honesty at all times, EigenLayer implements a mechanism called "slashing." If operators violate the rules, they are penalized, resulting in a portion of their staked ETH being lost. The AVS smart contract specifies the conditions for penalties and imposes appropriate sanctions for misconduct. For example, operators face severe penalties for actions such as double signing on side chains or signing messages that do not exist for bridges.

This mechanism ensures the integrity and trustworthiness of the system. The protocol leverages EigenLayer's slash mechanism, and we shall refer to EigenLayer for the details.
