This guide provides step-by-step instructions on setting up an account in the Avail network and staking AVAIL tokens using your account.

Understanding SS58 Format:

• What is SS58? SS58 is an address format Avail uses based on the Substrate framework that supports various blockchain solutions.
• Features: This format helps create shorter, more recognizable addresses. It includes a network-specific prefix, which adds a layer of security and helps in network identification.
• Security: Always ensure that the SS58 address matches the network you are interacting with to avoid cross-network errors or vulnerabilities.

Creating an account

To create an account, choose a trusted SS58-compatible wallet like SubWallet or Talisman or use the Polkadot JS browser extension.

Connect account to Avail JS portal

Visit the Avail JS portal using a Chrome browser. Upon connecting, your wallet will request authorization. Navigate to the 'Accounts' tab to view your account balance and details.

The account should appear on the screen. This account will be your stash. You can have as many accounts as you like.

We will continue with a single account, but if there are multiple ones, the following creation process should be repeated for each one.

Bond the amount of AVAIL you wish to stake

1. Navigate to Network -> Staking and select the Account tab.

2. Choose the amount of AVAIL to bond for staking. Ensure that a minimum balance of 1 AVAIL is unbonded to cover transaction fees. Select your preferred method for receiving staking rewards: Stash account (increase the amount at stake); Stash account (do not increase the amount at stake); Specified payment account (send rewards to any 3rd party account).

We make payouts daily, so you won't need to pay a TX fee by yourself.

We recommend assigning a staking proxy account. You should fund a separate account with 2-3 AVAIL and connect with your primary one to perform staking-related operations on behalf of your stash, like triggering payout or nominating a validator. A staking proxy has no access to the funds on the stash account.

3. In the next window, select up to 16 validators with which you wish to stake. If you want to nominate P2P.org, search P2P.ORG and select our validators from the list. We highly recommend selecting more than 1 validator to increase your chances of being eligible for rewards.

4. Chosen validators will appear in the right column. Press Bond & Nominate to continue.

5. Sign the transaction

6. Your screen should be updated, and current nominations should appear in the Account tab. From here, you can manage your staking in the future.

Staking will begin in the next era or two (24 - 48 hours). You will be able to track nominations from Staking -> Account. At least one nomination should become active, indicating that your stake is working in full and generating rewards.

Unbonding funds

1. To start unbonding your funds, you must first express your desire to stop nominating. To stop the nomination, go to Network -> Staking, navigate to Account the tab, and select Stop.

2. To start unbonding, tap on three dots, select Unbodning funds, and select how much you want to unbound after signing the tx. 

3. After signing the unbonding transaction, you will see the timer for your unbonding period. In Avail, it's 28 days. After that, your funds will be free and available to withdraw.

For more information about Avail staking, please refer to the official documents. 

About P2P Validator

P2P Validator is a world-leading non-custodial staking provider, securing over $7 billion from over 10,000 delegators/nominators across 40+ high-class networks. We have actively participated in the Polkadot/Kusama network since the beginning.

Do not hesitate to ask questions in our Telegram chat or contact Alex via aleksandr.tishin@p2p.org. We are always open to communication.

Web: https://p2p.org

Stake DOT with us: https://p2p.org/polkadot

Twitter: @p2pvalidator

Telegram: https://t.me/P2Pstaking