# Welcome

{% hint style="info" %}
If you’re not familiar with **THORChain**, please read [THORChain 101](/runebond/others/thorchain-101-the-basics-before-using-runebond.md) first. It covers the key concepts you’ll need such as RUNE, Node Operators, Bond Providers, and churn before continuing.
{% endhint %}

RUNEBond is a platform designed to make it easier for **Bond Providers** (users) and **Node Operators** to connect. Its goal is to help operators accumulate more **bonded RUNE** so they can remain active in the **validator set**. This not only increases their chances of staying in the active set and earning greater rewards, but also gives users the opportunity to put their idle RUNE to work and generate yield.

By delegating RUNE to a Node Operator, users become **Bond Providers** and receive a share of that node’s rewards. However, it’s important to understand that delegation in **THORChain is permissioned**: a Node Operator must first approve you before your bond is accepted. This design ensures that operators keep control over their security, but it also makes the connection process more complex. **RUNEBond exists to simplify that process.**

It’s also critical to understand the risks:

* **Slashing risk**: If a Node misbehaves, part of the bonded RUNE can be slashed, and all Bond Providers. Including you may lose funds.
* **Liquidity risk**: Delegated RUNE cannot be withdrawn at will. It can only be unbonded once the Node has been **churned** out of the active set, a decision that depends on the Node Operator’s choice to leave.

Because of these risks, RUNEBond encourages users to take a proactive and diversified approach to delegation:

* Research the reputation and track record of Node Operators.
* Spread your RUNE across multiple nodes to reduce slashing exposure.
* Monitor churn status and Node performance over time.

Before using RUNEBond, we strongly recommend that you fully understand both the risks and benefits of delegated bonding, and carefully select trustworthy operators.

There are two types of participants who interact with RUNEBond:

* **Users** looking for a Node Operator to delegate their RUNE to.
* **Node Operators** seeking to attract Bond Providers.

👉 [How to delegate RUNE as a bond provider](/runebond/sections/bond-your-rune/images-and-media.md)

👉 [How to onboard as a Node Operator](/runebond/sections/bond-your-rune/markdown.md)


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