# Welcome to Stader **What is Stader?** Stader is a non-custodial smart contract-based staking platform that helps you conveniently discover and access staking solutions. We are building key staking middleware infra for multiple PoS networks. You can read more about our vision in our [litepaper](https://staderlabs-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/Stader_Litepaper.pdf) . **Does Stader have any experience with staking?** We are a battle-tested team and have deployed smart contracts for staking on multiple blockchain platforms including Terra, Hedera, Polygon and now Fantom. We have \~850 mn $ in TVL (at the time of writing) in staked assets from \~30k wallets currently. You can read more about us on our website [here](https://staderlabs.com/). **Who is the team behind Stader?** We are an experienced team, working together on a common goal: seamless staking solutions. Read more about us [here](https://twitter.com/stader_ftm/status/1514621200642703362). **What is liquid staking?** Liquid staking allows users to mint a token, sFTMX, that represents their staked FTM assets and grows in value as staking rewards accrue. The token will have wide acceptance in Defi and hence allow users to participate in both securing the network via staking and pursue Defi **Stader X Fantom** We are grateful to the Fantom foundation for [partnering](https://fantom.foundation/blog/stader-labs-brings-liquid-staking-to-fantom/) with us early in our journey and making it official with a grant in January. Our vision on Fantom is to unleash the majority of staked assets, currently locked in staking, into the ecosystem through our liquid staking solution. Additionally, create convenient staking infrastructure to decentralize Fantom and help the community stake and manage FTM easily. We want to build a future where the community will no longer have to choose between securing the network through staking and participating in the thriving DeFi, NFT, gaming protocols on Fantom. You can read more about our vision on Fantom [here](https://blog.staderlabs.com/stader-x-fantom-e8bdc4a9a145). --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://fantom.docs.staderlabs.com/starter-guide-for-sftmx/welcome-to-stader.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.