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

# AVAX staking

> Stake Avalanche (AVAX) on P-Chain.

Avalanche is a high-performance, layer-one blockchain designed for superior speed, sub-second transaction finality, and high-throughput dApp development. Avalanche uses a multi-chain architecture with specialized chains (X, C, and P-chains) to enhance scalability and interoperability while remaining fully compatible with Ethereum's smart contracts.

## Overview

### Specialized chains

* **P-Chain (Platform Chain)** — the layer responsible for staking. Anchorage labels the P-Chain native asset `AVAX_PCHAIN`.
* **C-Chain (Contract Chain)** — an EVM-compatible smart contract layer used for deploying decentralized applications (dApps) and executing standard DeFi transactions. Anchorage labels the C-Chain native asset `AVAX`.

### Supported features

| Feature             | Details                                            |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **C-Chain custody** | Deposit and withdrawals                            |
| **P-Chain custody** | Deposits only                                      |
| **C-Chain staking** | Not supported                                      |
| **P-Chain staking** | Staking AVAX\_PCHAIN from Anchorage Digital        |
| **Liquid staking**  | AVAX staking via the BENQI liquid staking protocol |
| **Bridging**        | Bridging both ways between C-Chain and P-Chain     |

<Warning>
  No support for transfers for AVAX\_PCHAIN. Once you deposit or bridge AVAX to a P-Chain address, you can only bridge back to C-Chain to access funds. If you need to split AVAX across different P-Chain addresses, you will need to bridge separately to the different addresses from C-Chain or directly transfer P-Chain AVAX to those addresses.
</Warning>

<Warning>
  No unstaking AVAX. The AVAX validator you stake to has staked for a specific time period. If you stake to a validator, your assets will be staked to that validator for the duration of the staking period. No unstaking is possible on the Avalanche network. Plan accordingly when choosing the validator you will stake to, depending on when the validator's staking period ends.
</Warning>

<Info>
  **Operate your own validator.** Anchorage Digital also supports operating your own AVAX validator. To enable this feature, contact your Relationship Manager. For the full process, see [Stake your own validator](#stake-your-own-validator).
</Info>

<Note>
  Bridging is a two-part process. When you bridge AVAX between C- and P-Chain, the bridging requires two separate operations that need to be initiated. For example, you first need to export from C-Chain (Part 1) and then go to your P-Chain wallet and initiate the import operation (Part 2) to complete bridging.
</Note>

## General steps to stake AVAX

1. Deposit AVAX to your Anchorage wallet.
2. Bridge AVAX to your Anchorage P-Chain wallet.
3. Stake AVAX\_PCHAIN to any validator on the Avalanche network (you will stake for the duration of the validator's staking period).
4. At the end of the staking period, your staked principal AVAX plus your staking rewards will return to the P-Chain wallet you staked from.
5. You can bridge back from P-Chain to C-Chain or re-stake.

## Bridge from C-Chain to P-Chain

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your P-Chain wallet">
    Create a P-Chain wallet (`AVAX_PCHAIN`) that will receive your bridged assets.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to your C-Chain wallet">
    Navigate to your C-Chain AVAX wallet.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export to P-Chain">
    Tap the **Stake** button, then tap **Export to p-chain**. Enter the amount to bridge and select the P-Chain wallet that will be your Destination Address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initiate and approve">
    Initiate the operation and gather quorum approvals.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Import to P-Chain">
    After the operation completes, navigate to the Destination Address P-Chain wallet. Tap **Import from c-chain**, then tap **Next**. The amount you exported is automatically populated. Add an optional comment, then tap **Review**. Review the operation and tap **Submit and approve**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Bridge from P-Chain to C-Chain

<Warning>
  You need to deposit a tiny amount of AVAX into the destination C-Chain wallet in order to complete the bridging process.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your C-Chain wallet">
    Create a C-Chain wallet (`AVAX`) that will receive your bridged assets. Deposit a small amount of AVAX to the wallet.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to your P-Chain wallet">
    Navigate to your P-Chain AVAX\_PCHAIN wallet.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export to C-Chain">
    Tap the **Stake** button, then tap **Export to c-chain**. Enter the amount to bridge and select the AVAX wallet that will be your Destination Address (you must select a C-Chain wallet with a tiny amount of AVAX to complete bridging).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initiate and approve">
    Initiate the operation and gather quorum approvals.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Import to C-Chain">
    After the operation completes, navigate to the Destination Address C-Chain wallet and tap the **Stake** button.

    <Note>
      If the **Stake** button is greyed out, tap the **Hide card** link below it to see the additional options.
    </Note>

    Tap **Import AVAX from p-chain**, then tap **Next** to complete the import. Review the amount to import (automatically populated for you), add an optional comment, then tap **Review**. Review the operation and tap **Submit and approve**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Stake AVAX\_PCHAIN

When you delegate to an existing validator, you choose a staking duration of at least 14 days and at most 365 days. Your chosen duration must end on or before that validator's own staking period ends.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to your P-Chain wallet">
    Navigate to your AVAX\_PCHAIN wallet.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initiate staking">
    Tap the **Stake** button, then tap **Stake** in the drop-down.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter validator address">
    Enter the validator address that you wish to stake to. To delegate to an Anchorage Digital validator, use one of these NodeIDs:

    * `NodeID-J6og828vTYU1Vpb5MET9MT7JS6iqMjRSC`
    * `NodeID-CLquKzhJZaQ2B5XxpKnk3HjnRsp6GXQoG`

    <Warning>
      Your staked amount will be locked to this validator for the duration of the validator's staking period. Choose a validator that matches your need for staking and liquidity.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter stake amount">
    Enter the amount you wish to stake.

    <Info>
      Minimum stake amount is 25 AVAX + 0.05 AVAX for fees.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview and submit">
    Tap **Preview operation**, then tap **Confirm and submit for approval**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Quorum approval">
    Have your team members quorum approve the operation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Stake your own validator

Anchorage Digital also supports operating your own validator on the Avalanche network. To enable this feature, contact your Relationship Manager.

Before you begin, gather your validator's **NodeID**, **BLS public key**, and **BLS signature** (proof of possession). You also need a minimum of 2,000 AVAX\_PCHAIN in your P-Chain wallet.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to your P-Chain wallet">
    Navigate to your AVAX\_PCHAIN wallet.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a validator">
    Tap the **Actions** button, then select **Create Validator**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your validator details">
    Complete the fields:

    * **Node ID** — your validator's NodeID.
    * **Public Key** — your BLS public key.
    * **Signature** — your BLS signature (proof of possession).
    * **Staking Rewards Commission** — the commission you charge delegators, pre-filled at 5% and adjustable.
    * **Amount** — the amount to stake, or tap **Set max**. The minimum is 2,000 AVAX plus 0.05 AVAX for fees.
    * **Duration** — the number of days the validator will be active, from a minimum of 14 days to a maximum of 365 days.
    * **Staking Reward Address** — the wallet where your validator rewards are deposited.
    * **Delegation Reward Address** — the wallet where commission from your delegators is deposited.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview and submit">
    Tap **Preview operation**, review the details, then tap **Confirm and submit for approval**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Quorum approval">
    Have your team members quorum approve the operation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Your validator stake is locked for the full duration you set and can't be unstaked early.
</Warning>

## Unstake AVAX\_PCHAIN

No unstaking operations exist on the Avalanche network. When you stake, you must stake for the duration of the period that validator is staking. Review the list of active Avalanche validators to find one that meets your staking duration needs.

## AVAX\_PCHAIN staking rewards

Rewards are distributed at the end of the staking period. They do not auto-compound during the lockup; you must restake them after they unlock to compound your returns. Staking rewards will be recognized at the end of the staking duration period with a specific operation.