> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ike.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ike.xyz/the-ike-protocol/how-it-works.md).

# How It Works

## Mission

Ike is a [Liquid Staking Protocol](/overview/liquid-staking.md). Our mission is to boost the GDP of Proof-of-Stake blockchains by allowing users to participate in on-chain activities while also benefitting from the yield-bearing staking that secures the blockchain. We do this by providing stakers with a liquid token which is backed by the blockchain's staked native gas tokens. We call this a Liquid Staking Token, abbreviated as LST. 

{% hint style="info" %}
Reminder: the Gas Token of Aleph Zero is AZERO, and the Liquid Staking Token of Ike is **sA0.**
{% endhint %}

This allows holders of AZERO to participate in on-chain activities using the sA0 in place of their AZERO tokens.

## How it works

Ike improves on [Delegated Proof-of-Stake](/overview/proof-of-stake-blockchains.md#delegated-proof-of-stake-dpos) by allowing users to participate without themselves having to find and choose a validator to which to delegate. To accomplish this, Ike pools users’ AZERO tokens together and delegates them across a set of participating network [Validators](/overview/proof-of-stake-blockchains.md#staking-and-validators) for staking, and gives those users sA0 tokens (the collateral) that can be used to redeem their staked AZERO at any time. The protocol maintains a decentralized list of participating validators, routes staking requests to them, and facilitates redemption requests on behalf of the user.