Since its inception, the TORN token is used by Tornado Cash users for governance. Its main utility is to allow the suggestion of proposals & voting both in-chain (through locked TORN for governance proposals) and off-chain (on Snapshot).
Since the execution of [Tornado Cash 10th governance proposal](https://tornadocash.eth.limo/governance/10), TORN token has gained one other useful utility. Indeed, **with the introduction of a decentralized relayer register,****a staking reward has been implemented for all holders with locked TORN in the governance contract.**
[TORN](torn.md) holders can still lock their tokens into the governance contract as they used to for governance purposes. The significant difference is that they are now able to receive a portion of the fees collected by the protocol from relayers. Obviously, the proportion of the reward will be equal to the proportion of their locked TORN.
The collection of these fees was made possible by the implementation of a decentralized relayer registry. In order to be listed on the protocol UI, relayers need to stake a given amount of TORN (currently set by governance at `300 TORN`) and keep enough TORN locked (\~`40 TORN` at the moment in April 2022) to be able to pay back the transaction fee to the staking contract. The functioning of this relayer registry is more extensively explained [on this forum post](https://torn.community/t/proposal-relayer-registry-setting-parameters-after-audit/2134) & on the [Relayer Registry documentation page](how-to-become-a-relayer.md).
In a nutshell, for each withdrawal through the relayer method, the chosen relayer has to pay a fee to the protocol from the staked balance (that should still be maintained above the `300 TORN` threshold). Currently, this fee has been fixed at `0.3%` by the governance and can be changed at any time through an on-chain proposal & vote.
* It happens here ➡️ [https://tornadocash.eth.limo/governance](https://tornadocash.eth.limo/governance) ⬅️, by clicking on **`Manage`**, then going on the **`Lock`** tab
* The governance contract need to be approved in order to allow the transfer of your tokens to the smart contract. To do so, you need to click on the **`Approve`** button
* Once the approval is confirmed, you can chose the amount of token to lock, then click on **`Lock`**
* All you have to do after that is to confirm the transaction in your wallet & wait for the confirmation to come through
Now that your TORN tokens have stayed nice & warm locked in the governance contract, you are able to claim your staking reward. How to do that? Everything is still happening here ➡️ [https://tornadocash.eth.link/governance](https://tornadocash.eth.limo/governance) ⬅️
Since the deployment of [Altornado](https://altornado.com/#/stake) **TORN** holders have now an alternative open-source staking UI made by Tornado Cash Community, for the Tornado Cash community.
Yes, hence the name altornado: from “alternative” and “tornado” 🌝
Since the approval of [this](https://snapshot.org/#/torn-community.eth/proposal/0x331caa7b479669e8b836bd87ba9d91427c212ec29a2ede13d84c7190af18c931) snapshot proposal, they will be funded to deliver an amazing roadmap full of new features in the subsequent versions.
### Ok, this sounds awesome, but how do I stake ?!
* Let's start here ➡️ [https://altornado.com/#/stake](https://altornado.com/#/stake) ⬅️, connect your wallet by clicking on **`Connect your wallet`**.
* You will need to approve the staking contract, so click on the **`Approve`** button.
* After approving, you're ready to stake! You can choose the amount of TORN to stake, then click on **`Stake`** or choose the max amount available in your wallet by clicking **`Max`**.
* Confirm the transaction in your wallet and start enjoying your staking rewards.
### So far so good, but what if I need to unstake ?
* To unstake your [TORN](https://etherscan.io/token/0x77777feddddffc19ff86db637967013e6c6a116c) tokens go to the [Unstake](https://altornado.com/#/unstake) tab.
* Choose the amount of TORN you want to unstake.
* You will now see the **`Unstake`** button, click it.
* Finally, confirm the transaction in your wallet in order to complete the transaction.
