Kelp DAO vs Bedrock uniBTC (2026): Full Comparison

Reviewed 2026-05-28 by DeFi Intel Research Desk

At a glance

Kelp DAO ↗ and Bedrock uniBTC ↗ are both liquid restaking protocols, but they target different asset pools. Kelp focuses exclusively on Ethereum and liquid staking tokens (LSTs) via EigenLayer, offering rsETH and the Kelp Gain auto-compounding vault. Bedrock takes a multi-asset approach, tokenizing restaked BTC (uniBTC), ETH (uniETH), and IoTeX (uniIOTX), and integrates with Babylon, EigenLayer, and Symbiotic. This comparison breaks down their TVL, chain coverage, audits, and strategic fit, helping you decide which aligns with your restaking goals.

Key differences

Three dimensions separate Kelp DAO and Bedrock uniBTC: asset specialization, scale, and multi-chain footprint.

Asset focus: Kelp DAO ↗ is a pure Ethereum liquid restaking token (LRT) protocol. It issues rsETH, backed by ETH and LSTs restaked on EigenLayer, with an auto-compounding vault (Kelp Gain) on top of restaking points. Bedrock uniBTC ↗ is multi-asset: uniBTC tokenizes restaked BTC (integrating Babylon), while uniETH and uniIOTX cover ETH and IoTeX restaking via EigenLayer and Symbiotic. Users who want solely ETH restaking exposure will find Kelp more streamlined; those needing BTC or multi-asset LRTs will need Bedrock.

TVL and adoption: Kelp DAO holds $1B in TVL (as of 2026-05-28) versus Bedrock’s $0.3B. This 3.3× difference reflects Kelp’s deeper integration into EigenLayer’s ecosystem and its position as a top ETH LRT. Bedrock’s smaller TVL is spread across three assets and multiple restaking layers, fragmenting its liquidity.

Chain availability: Bedrock operates on 6 chains (Ethereum, Arbitrum, BNB, Optimism, Base, Mantle) compared to Kelp’s 3 (Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism). For users active on BNB or Base, Bedrock offers more access points. However, Kelp’s TVL concentration on fewer chains may indicate stronger per-chain depth.

Audits: Kelp has been audited by Sigma Prime and Code4rena; Bedrock by SlowMist and Salus. Both have two audits and no reported incidents as of 2026-05-28.

Security and track record

Both protocols have clean incident histories. Kelp DAO launched in 2024 and underwent audits with Sigma Prime and Code4rena, firms frequently used by blue-chip DeFi projects. Bedrock launched earlier (2023) but chose auditors SlowMist and Salus, which are less common in Ethereum DeFi but still reputable. Neither protocol has suffered an exploit. Kelp’s higher TVL ($1B vs $0.3B) has attracted more scrutiny from the security community, and its integration with EigenLayer—a protocol that itself has been audited by Sigma Prime, Consensys Diligence, and Cantina—adds a layer of inherited security. Bedrock’s multi-layer restaking (Babylon, EigenLayer, Symbiotic) introduces additional cross-protocol risk, but its own audits show no issues so far. Without incidents, both appear adequately secured, though Kelp’s larger economic surface area makes it a bigger target.

Fees and costs

Specific fee structures are not disclosed in our data. Kelp DAO charges a performance fee on the Kelp Gain vault, but the rate is not publicly available here. Bedrock’s fee model for uniBTC, uniETH, and uniIOTX minting and redemption is also not detailed. For current fee information, consult each protocol’s documentation.

Which should you choose

Pick Kelp DAO if:

You exclusively hold ETH or LSTs and want maximum EigenLayer restaking yields.
You prefer deeper liquidity ($1B TVL) and a protocol with a simpler, more focused product.
You are active on Ethereum, Arbitrum, or Optimism only.

Pick Bedrock uniBTC if:

You hold Bitcoin and want to restake it via Babylon while keeping a liquid token.
You need a multi-asset LRT covering BTC, ETH, and IoTeX across 6 chains.
You value being able to interact with multiple restaking layers (EigenLayer, Symbiotic) through one interface.

Verdict

This matchup is context-dependent. Kelp DAO is the clear leader for pure ETH restaking scale and integration depth. Bedrock uniBTC is the only choice for restaked BTC exposure. Your decision should follow your asset composition, not a blanket protocol preference.

DeFi Intel publishes editorial research, not financial advice. Do your own research and consult a licensed advisor for your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kelp DAO better than Bedrock uniBTC?

It depends on your asset. For ETH restaking, Kelp DAO’s $1B TVL and EigenLayer focus make it the stronger choice. For restaked BTC or multi-asset restaking, Bedrock uniBTC is the only available option.

Which has higher TVL, Kelp DAO or Bedrock uniBTC?

Kelp DAO has significantly higher TVL at $1B, compared to Bedrock’s $0.3B (as of 2026-05-28).

Is Bedrock uniBTC safer than Kelp DAO?

Both have clean incident records and two audits each. Kelp’s auditors (Sigma Prime, Code4rena) are more established in DeFi, but no exploits have occurred on either protocol, making them comparably safe.