> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://whalehub-1.gitbook.io/whalehub/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://whalehub-1.gitbook.io/whalehub/readme.md).

# Introducing Whalehub

Whalehub is a DeFi protocol built on the **Stellar Network** that lets you earn yield on your AQUA tokens through staking and automated liquidity vaults.

## What You Can Do

| Feature              | Description                                                 |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Stake AQUA**       | Lock AQUA tokens for a chosen period and earn AQUA rewards  |
| **Restake BLUB**     | Compound your earnings back into the staking pool           |
| **Liquidity Vaults** | Deposit into auto-compounding AMM pools for hands-off yield |
| **Claim Rewards**    | Collect AQUA rewards earned from your staked position       |

## Quick Numbers

| Parameter               | Value                                                                 |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Token you deposit       | AQUA                                                                  |
| Token you earn          | BLUB                                                                  |
| BLUB per AQUA locked    | 1.0 BLUB (+ 0.1 BLUB to liquidity)                                    |
| Minimum lock            | 7 days                                                                |
| Withdrawal cooldown     | 10 days after lock expires                                            |
| Reward claim cooldown   | 7 days                                                                |
| Vault fee               | `vault_fee_bps` (15%) on claimed pool emissions; none on bribe income |
| Auto-compound frequency | 4x/day (BLUB-AQUA), 6x/day (other pools)                              |

## How It Fits Together

Whalehub operates on three layers:

1. **Smart contracts** on Stellar (Soroban) — handle staking, rewards, and vault logic
2. **Backend server** — automates reward distribution, compounding, and ICE governance
3. **Web app** — user interface for staking, vaults, and claiming rewards

The protocol earns yield by voting its pooled ICE position on Aquarius and collecting the voting revenue that power attracts. Revenue arrives as AQUA and flows back to stakers as AQUA, while a portion strengthens the protocol's own liquidity position.