> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.iaero.finance/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.iaero.finance/getting-started/what-is-stiaero.md).

# What is stiAERO?

## Your Staking Position, Now With Superpowers

### The One-Liner

stiAERO is what happens when your staked iAERO decides it's too good for just one job. It's a receipt token that proves you're staking while letting you use that proof as collateral across DeFi.

### The "Why Should I Care" Part

Remember when you had to choose between:

* Staking for that juicy 25% APY (veAERO yield as of Sep 25)
* Having liquid funds for other opportunities
* Using your assets as collateral

With stiAERO, that's like choosing between breathing, eating, and sleeping. Why choose? Do all three.

### How This Magic Works

**The Old World (Boring)**

```
Stake iAERO → Locked in staking → Earn rewards → Can't do anything else
```

**The stiAERO World (Galaxy Brain)**

```
Stake iAERO → Get stiAERO receipt → Earn rewards → Use as collateral → Borrow → Deploy capital → Still earning → Repeat
```

### The Math That Makes Your Accountant Nervous

Let's say you have $10,000 worth of iAERO:

**Virgin Staker:**

* Stakes iAERO
* Earns 25% APY = $2,500/year
* Capital locked, can't do anything else
* Total return: 25%

**Chad stiAERO User:**

* Stakes iAERO, gets stiAERO
* Earns 25% APY = $2,500/year
* Uses stiAERO as collateral
* Borrows $5,000 stables at 8% APY (Careful about liquidations!!)
* Deploys borrowed funds at 15% APY
* Net from borrowing: 7% of $5,000 = $350/year
* Total return: $2,850/year = 28.5% APY
* Still has $5,000 liquid to ape into the next big thing

### Real Use Cases (Not Financial Advice!)

#### 🏦 **The Leverage Loop Legend**

* Deposit iAERO, get stiAERO
* Use stiAERO as collateral
* Borrow AERO
* Stake borrowed AERO for more stiAERO
* Repeat until you're either a genius or need therapy
* Potential APY: 25% × leverage ratio (handle with care)

#### 💊 **The Stablecoin Pill** (APYs may fluctuate)

* Your iAERO position: Earning 25% APY
* Borrow stables at 8% against stiAERO
* Net profit: 17% on borrowed amount
* Use stables for real life (boring) or more defi (based)
* Never sell your stack, never stop earning

#### 🎰 **The Degen Arbitrage**

* Market dip? Borrow stables against stiAERO
* Buy the dip without unstaking
* Market pump? Take profits
* Pay back loan
* Keep original position + staking rewards + trading profits
* Your risk manager hates this one trick

#### 🛡️ **The Protection Play**

* Worried about short-term volatility?
* Don't unstake (that's for quitters)
* Borrow stables as insurance
* If market dumps: You have dry powder
* If market pumps: You're still fully exposed
* Heads you win, tails you win more

### The "But Wait, There's Even More" Section

**🔄 Transferable Yields**

* Lend your stiAERO to a friend (or enemy)
* Sell your staking position without unstaking
* Create yield derivatives (for the real sickos)

**🎯 Protocol Integrations**

* Use in any protocol that accepts ERC20 collateral
* Lending markets love stable yield-bearing assets
* 25% APY backing = Prime collateral

### The Risk Section (Because Legal Makes Us)

⚠️ **Liquidation Risk**: Borrow responsibly or get rekt ⚠️ **Smart Contract Risk**: Code is law until it isn't ⚠️ **Rate Risk**: APYs can change faster than your ex's mood

But let's be real - you're already in DeFi. You eat risk for breakfast.

### Why This Changes Everything

Traditional finance: "You can't use the same dollar twice" stiAERO: "Hold my beer"

Your iAERO position becomes:

1. **A yield generator** (25% APY staking)
2. **Loan collateral** (borrow against it)
3. **A tradeable asset** (sell the receipt)
4. **A governance tool** (still counts for voting)
5. **A flex** ("Yeah, I'm earning while borrowing while earning")

### The Technical Bits (For Nerds)

* **Token Standard**: ERC20 (because we're not monsters)
* **Minting**: 1:1 with staked iAERO
* **Burning**: Only on unstake
* **Transferable**: Yes (this is the whole point)
* **Supply**: Equals total staked iAERO
* **Oracle-friendly**: Easy price feeds (staked amount × iAERO price)

### Integration Roadmap

**Wave 1 - Native** (Live Now)

* ✅ stiAERO minting/burning
* ✅ Full staking rewards
* ✅ Transfer functionality

**Wave 2 - Money Markets** (Q1 2026)

* 🔜 Native iAERO lending pool
* 🔜 Collateral ratios optimized for 25% APY
* 🔜 Borrowing against stiAERO

**Wave 3 - Ecosystem** (Q2 2026)

* 🎯 Sonne Finance integration
* 🎯 Other Aerodrome lending protocols
* 🎯 Cross-collateral strategies

**Wave 4 - Galaxy Brain** (Q3 2025)

* 🧠 stiAERO/iAERO loops
* 🧠 Structured products
* 🧠 Options and futures
* 🧠 We don't even know yet

### The TL;DR

stiAERO turns your staking position into a Swiss Army knife of DeFi possibilities. Stake, earn 25% APY, use as collateral, borrow, deploy, profit. It's not just a receipt token - it's a permission slip to break the rules of capital efficiency.

### FAQ (Frequently Awesome Questions)

**Q: Can I lose my staked iAERO if I get liquidated?** A: Only if you borrow and don't manage your position. The stiAERO gets liquidated, not the underlying stake. Don't be a degen (or do, we're not your mom).

**Q: What's the catch?** A: You have to be smart enough to use it properly. That's literally it.

**Q: Why would anyone lend against this?** A: 25% APY backing = happy lenders. Predictable yield = low risk collateral. Math = your friend.

**Q: Can I do \[insert crazy strategy]?** A: Probably. If it involves stiAERO generating yield while doing something else, the answer is yes.

### Ready to Transcend?

Stop choosing between staking and liquidity. With stiAERO, you're not just participating in DeFi - you're speedrunning it.

🚀 [Stake Now](https://github.com/iaeroProtocol/iaero/blob/main/getting-started/app.iaero.finance)

***

*Not financial advice. Side effects of stiAERO may include: excessive yields, capital efficiency addiction, and explaining loop strategies at parties. Please stake responsibly.*