# Staking as Cloud Host

Staking is the process of locking up cryptocurrency tokens to support the operations of a blockchain network. In Aethir Cloud, Cloud Hosts must stake ATH tokens for the entire duration of their GPU's operation. 

#### Why Staking?

Aethir’s decentralized cloud infrastructure requires that all compute resources be proportionally staked with ATH. This serves multiple purposes:

1. **Network Security & Stability**: Staking ensures a long-term commitment to the network, enhancing the security and stability of Aethir’s distributed cloud infrastructure.
2. **Resource Allocation**: Proportional staking guarantees that GPU resources are efficiently allocated, maintaining performance and reliability.
3. **Incentive Alignment**: By staking, providers align their interests with the network’s goals, encouraging responsible behavior and high-quality service.

This staking mechanism is integral to Aethir’s decentralized cloud computing model. It ensures that the machine remains functional and available for Cloud Tenants, fostering trust and efficiency among participants.

#### Staking Amount

The required staking amount for each GPU resource is calculated using the following formula:

`Stake Requirement = K-Value × Staking Coefficient`

* **K-Value**: A parameter that represents the value of a specific GPU specification. It is evaluated monthly by Aethir Labs based on market trends.
* **Staking Coefficient**: A dynamic parameter based on the global average monthly revenue from the previous month. It is recalculated weekly.

Each month, the stake requirement for each GPU type is updated and remains fixed for the following month.

On the Host Portal, the stake requirement is automatically calculated and updated based on the current parameters. You can find the latest K-Values and Staking Coefficient along with detailed explanations on how they are determined on this [page](https://docs.aethir.com/aethir-cloud/aethir-cloud-host/operational-requirements-for-cloud-hosts/staking-as-cloud-host/staking-parameters). 

You can find the tutorials to acquire ATH tokens [here](https://docs.aethir.com/aethir-tokenomics/how-to-acquire-ath).

#### Unstaking

To ensure system stability, it is required that GPU performance remain consistent throughout the entire operation period. If a GPU’s hardware configuration changes, it may alter its fingerprint, causing it to be recognized as a new GPU in the system. In such cases, you must unstake the old GPU and stake the new GPU to continue operation.

Unstaking a machine requires a 180-day unlocking period before staked tokens can be fully withdrawn. 


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