> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.elata.bio/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Stake and Earn

> How staking works for app tokens and what you can earn.

## What Staking Offers

Each Elata app has a staking vault where you can lock your app tokens. Staking provides:

* A way to signal commitment to the app community
* Potential access to gated features (if the builder configures it)
* Reduced circulating supply, which can support token price
* Governance weight in app-level decisions (where applicable)

***

## How To Stake

1. Go to the app's detail page on [app.elata.bio](https://app.elata.bio)
2. Navigate to the staking section
3. Choose the amount of app tokens to stake
4. Confirm the transaction

Your staked tokens are locked for the duration you choose. After the lock period ends, you can unstake and withdraw.

***

## XP and Protocol Rewards

Beyond app-level staking, you can earn XP through protocol-wide participation:

| Activity                 | What You Earn                      |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------- |
| App token staking        | Community standing, feature access |
| ELTA staking (veELTA)    | Governance voting power            |
| Protocol participation   | XP (non-transferable)              |
| Tournament participation | Prize pool rewards (in app tokens) |

<Note>
  XP is earned through active participation, not passive holding. See [Incentives and Access](/apps/design/incentives-and-access) for details.
</Note>

***

## Before You Stake

Check these before locking tokens:

* **Fee routing:** understand how the app's fees are split (see [Fee Flow](/apps/design/fee-flow))
* **Lock duration:** tokens are locked for the chosen period and cannot be withdrawn early
* **App health:** review holder distribution and trading volume in the app's analytics
* **Staking ratio:** a healthy range is 30-50% of circulating supply

***

## ELTA Staking (veELTA)

For protocol-level governance, you can lock ELTA tokens to receive veELTA (voting power). This is separate from app token staking.

See [veELTA and Governance](/apps/users/veelta-governance) for details on lock durations and voting mechanics.

***

## Next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="veELTA and Governance" icon="vote" iconType="light" href="/apps/users/veelta-governance">
    Lock ELTA for voting power
  </Card>

  <Card title="Explore Apps" icon="compass" iconType="light" href="/apps/users/explore-apps">
    Find apps to participate in
  </Card>
</CardGroup>