# Staking KWENTA

The Kwenta staking contract allows users to lock Kwenta tokens in exchange for various benefits.

* Staked KWENTA will gain **voting power** within the system enabling stakers to vote in Elite Council elections and CKIPs, offering the protocol a decentralized decision-making mechanism.
  * 1 $KWENTA = 1 Vote   
* Staked KWENTA will earn **inflationary rewards**. Staked wallets with trading activity will earn additional rewards to place active Kwenta users at the center of decision-making. **Staking is only available on the Optimism L2 Network.**

{% hint style="info" %}
Staking rewards are continuously accrued and can be claimed at any time. Trading rewards are allocated to you once a week. View [KIP-3 ](https://github.com/Kwenta/KIPs/blob/master/content/kips/kip-3.md)for more details on the staking mechanism.
{% endhint %}

### Cooldown period?

The cooldown period is NEW, and the time required before unstaking your tokens is possible. The cooldown period to unstake your tokens is two weeks & the clock starts ticking from the last time a staker interacted with the v2 staking contracts. This includes adding to your staked balance with liquid $KWENTA or escrow $KWENTA. 

{% hint style="danger" %}
The cooldown period  is 7 days, but this can be further extended/reduced via governance.
{% endhint %}

**IMPORTANT:** After the cooldown period is complete, you have an unlimited window to withdraw your unstaked tokens. If you do not withdraw before interacting with the staking contract again, you will have to start the cooldown process again. 

**Example:** 

* If the cooldown period was activated 7 days ago, you could withdraw! 
* If the cooldown period was activated 7 days and 2 hours ago, you claim rewards and will now need to start the 7-day cooldown period again. 

{% content-ref url="/pages/ENBGvdwlZedsFcu2ZFRn" %}
[How to stake KWENTA](/kwenta-token/staking-kwenta/how-to-stake-kwenta.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/nVw5xoEM3a2CIENLRUwS" %}
[Escrow and Vesting](/kwenta-token/staking-kwenta/escrow-and-vesting.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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