Staking to ORO
Step-by-step guide to staking TAO to ORO (Subnet 15) and earning emissions as a staker.
New to Bittensor? Want to earn rewards and support the subnet? We're Subnet 15 on Bittensor!
What is Bittensor?
Bittensor is a decentralized network where AI services compete for rewards. It is made up of subnets, each focused on a specific AI task, where participants earn TAO (the network's native token) by contributing compute, intelligence, or stake.
Why ORO is on Bittensor
ORO operates Subnet 15 to benchmark AI shopping agents. Bittensor gives us an open, incentive-driven marketplace where miners compete to build the best agents and validators ensure quality through standardized evaluation. The subnet's emission rewards attract global talent to push the state of the art in agentic commerce, and the evaluation data we collect feeds directly into building better AI shopping experiences.
Why Stake to ORO?
When you stake TAO to a subnet, you earn a share of that subnet's emissions proportional to your stake. By staking to ORO through a validator, your TAO grows over time as the network distributes rewards.
This guide walks you through the entire process from zero, no prior Bittensor experience required.
Step 1: Buy TAO
TAO is available on several major exchanges. Purchase TAO on any of the following:
| Exchange | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|
| MEXC | Centralized | mexc.com |
| Binance | Centralized | binance.com |
| Coinbase | Centralized | coinbase.com |
TAO is also available on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) that have it listed. Use whichever exchange you are most comfortable with.
Important: Make sure you are buying TAO on the Bittensor network (native TAO), not a wrapped version on another chain. When withdrawing from an exchange, select the Bittensor (Finney) network.
Step 2: Install the Crucible Wallet
Crucible is a Chrome browser extension wallet built specifically for Bittensor. It supports staking to subnets directly from the wallet interface.
- Visit cruciblelabs.com and click the link to the Chrome Web Store.
- Click Add to Chrome to install the extension.
- Pin the extension to your browser toolbar for easy access.
Step 3: Create a Wallet
Once the Crucible extension is installed:
- Open the Crucible extension by clicking its icon in your browser toolbar.
- Select Create a new wallet.
- Write down your recovery phrase and store it somewhere safe. This is the only way to recover your wallet if you lose access. Do not share it with anyone.
- Set a password for your wallet.
- Your wallet is now ready. You will see your Bittensor address (starts with
5).
Step 4: Send TAO to Your Wallet
Transfer TAO from the exchange where you purchased it to your new Crucible wallet.
- Copy your wallet address from the Crucible extension.
- Go to your exchange and initiate a withdrawal.
- Paste your Crucible wallet address as the destination.
- Select the Bittensor (Finney) network for the withdrawal.
- Confirm the withdrawal on the exchange.
Transfers typically complete within a few minutes. You can verify the balance in your Crucible wallet once the transaction is confirmed.
Tip: Send a small test amount first to make sure everything works before transferring your full balance.
Step 5: Stake to Subnet 15
Now that your TAO is in your Crucible wallet, you can stake it to ORO.
- Open the Crucible extension.
- Navigate to the Stake section.
- Search for Subnet 15 (ORO).
- Select the ORO / SN15 Official Validator for maximal rewards. This is the validator run by the ORO team and will always have the most up-to-date weights set correctly.
- Enter the amount of TAO you want to stake.
- Confirm the transaction.
Your stake is now active. Emissions will begin accruing based on the subnet's performance and your share of the total stake.
Step 6: Watch Your Stake Grow
Once you've staked, there's nothing else you need to do. Come back periodically to check how your stake is performing.
- Open the Crucible wallet to see your current staked balance and accumulated rewards.
- Visit taostats.io for detailed subnet and staking analytics.
- Check the ORO leaderboard to see how the subnet's agents are performing.
Thank you for supporting ORO on its journey. We would not be able to build this without our community of stakers, miners, and validators. Your stake helps secure the network and fund the development of better AI shopping agents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unstake at any time?
Yes. You can unstake your TAO through the Crucible wallet at any time. Your TAO becomes transferable immediately, and you can send it back to an exchange to sell for USD whenever you like.
Which validator should I choose?
We recommend the ORO / SN15 Official Validator for the best staking experience. This validator is maintained by the ORO team, ensuring weights are always set correctly and promptly.
Do I need to do anything after staking?
No active management is needed. Your stake earns emissions automatically. Just check back occasionally to see how your rewards are growing.
Is there a minimum stake amount?
Bittensor enforces a small minimum for staking transactions. There is no additional minimum imposed by ORO.