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

# Z Stake

Z Stake issues liquid staking tokens for ZEC and Z tokens. Staked assets remain fully composable. Use them as collateral, trade them, or shield them, all while earning staking rewards.

## stZEC (Post-Launch)

stZEC is a liquid staking token representing staked ZEC on Z.

**How it works:**

* Bridge ZEC to Z via the Z Bridge
* Deposit ZEC into the stZEC staking contract
* Receive stZEC, which appreciates in value as consensus rewards accrue

stZEC uses a non-rebasing share price model: your token balance stays constant, and the value per token grows as rewards accrue.

**What stZEC unlocks:**

* Use as collateral on Z Lend
* Trade on Z Trade (stZEC/USDZ pair)
* Shield in the ShieldedPool as private notes
* Maintain liquidity. Unlike timelocked ZEC, stZEC is transferable

### stZEC vs. ZEC Staking

|                       | Self-Custodial            | stZEC                      |
| --------------------- | ------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| ZEC location          | Zcash chain (your wallet) | Z chain (staking contract) |
| Custody               | Self-custodial            | Smart contract             |
| Bridge required       | No                        | Yes                        |
| Liquidity             | Locked (timelocked)       | Liquid and tradeable       |
| DeFi composable       | No                        | Yes                        |
| Dual Staking eligible | Yes                       | No                         |
| Yield currency        | Z token emissions         | stZEC appreciation         |

ZEC Staking is for holders who can accept illiquidity and want full self-custody preserved by Zcash's consensus. stZEC is for holders who want their ZEC to remain productive across the Zcosystem.

## stZ (Post-Launch)

stZ is the liquid staking token for the Z token.

**How it works:**

* Deposit Z tokens into the stZ staking contract
* Receive stZ, which appreciates as consensus rewards accrue

The underlying Z tokens continue participating in Zcash Satoshi Plus (ZSP) consensus. stZ lets holders maintain full DeFi composability while their Z tokens contribute to network security.

**What stZ unlocks:**

* Use as collateral on Z Lend
* Trade on Z Trade
* Shield in the ShieldedPool (MASP)
* Earn consensus rewards passively