> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.alienbase.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.alienbase.xyz/alb-and-esalb/escrowed-alb-esalb.md).

# Escrowed ALB (esALB)

**esALB** is the locked, non-transferable form of ALB. It's the asset that earns governance voting power, single-staking APR, and **Real Yield** (WETH from protocol fees). If you plan to hold ALB long-term, you almost certainly want it as esALB.

> *Last updated: July 6, 2026.*

## In one paragraph

You convert ALB → esALB **1:1** via **Lock & Earn** on the [Dashboard](https://app.alienbase.xyz/dashboard). esALB is non-transferable. You can stake esALB to earn unlocked ALB, vote on Snapshot, and receive Real Yield in WETH. To convert back, you use one of two paths (mixable): **100% after a 30-day cooldown** with no penalty, or **1% instantly every 24 hours**. Both are documented below.

## At a glance

|                     |                                                                                              |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| esALB token         | [`0x365c6d58…4113`](https://basescan.org/address/0x365c6d588e8611125de3bea5b9280c304fa54113) |
| Lock ratio          | 1 ALB → 1 esALB (and back)                                                                   |
| Transferable?       | No. esALB is bound to the address that minted it.                                            |
| Voting weight       | 1× per esALB (10× per [govALB](#govalb-coming-via-aip-5) once AIP-5 ships)                   |
| Earn while staking? | Yes — unlocked ALB rewards from the esALB single-stake vault                                 |
| Real Yield?         | Yes — pro-rata share of WETH protocol fees                                                   |

## What esALB is for

* **Single-staking APR.** Stake esALB under **Locked earn** on the [Vaults](https://app.alienbase.xyz/vaults) page to farm unlocked ALB.
* **Real Yield.** Stakers earn a share of protocol fees, paid in **WETH**, **USDC**, and other liquid assets — not in extra ALB inflation. Details: [Real Yield](/alb-and-esalb/real-yield.md).
* **Governance.** Voting power on Snapshot is weighted by esALB. See [Alien Base DAO](/governance/alien-base-dao.md).
* **Airdrops & extra rewards.** Targeted distributions (partner tokens, special-event drops) generally land in esALB holders' wallets.

## How to lock ALB into esALB

1. Open the [Dashboard](https://app.alienbase.xyz/dashboard) and click **Lock & Earn** (also available from the **Locked earn** tab on the Vaults page via **Lock & Stake**).
2. Pick the **Escrowed ALB (esALB)** farm. A deposit modal opens.
3. Choose your input: **Zap (any token)**, **LP Tokens**, or **Lock existing** ALB.
4. Enter the amount. The modal previews each step (e.g., swap → convert to esALB → stake in farm).
5. Approve and confirm the transactions (batch zap isn't supported, so expect one transaction per step).

![Lock modal — converting ALB to esALB and staking in one flow](/files/hz6NJ0iWO8n77aoK8Bvn)

Your deposit is automatically staked in the esALB farm after conversion. You'll receive 1 esALB for every ALB locked. To see the esALB balance in your wallet, add the contract address [`0x365c6d58…4113`](https://basescan.org/address/0x365c6d588e8611125de3bea5b9280c304fa54113) as a custom token.

## Staking esALB

After locking, head to the [Vaults](https://app.alienbase.xyz/vaults) page → **Locked earn** tab. The **esALB** position is at the top, next to the escrowed ALB-WETH LP positions (Infinite and Backstop).

![Locked earn](/files/4utQO0AWy85kQsMAl33n)

1. Click **Enable** to authorize the staking contract to move esALB.
2. Click **Stake** and choose the amount.
3. Rewards (unlocked ALB) accrue continuously. The APR is shown split by source (ALB emissions vs. Real Yield). Click **Harvest** (or **Harvest all**) any time to claim.

Your staked esALB still counts for **governance voting** and **Real Yield**.

## How to unlock back to ALB

Open the **Locked earn** tab on the Dashboard, find your **Escrowed ALB (esALB)** farming position, and click the unstake icon. The unstake modal offers two redemption paths (mixable):

![Unstake modal — instant 1% redemption or 30-day unlock](/files/vmEtaUGqthh5L0heL48a)

### Path A — full unlock after a 30-day cooldown, no penalty

1. In the unstake modal, choose the **amount to unstake** (slider or 25/50/75/100% presets), leaving **Instant 1% Redemption** off.
2. Click **Start Unlock Process**. This is a multi-step transaction: unstake, then start the 30-day unlock period for the selected amount.
3. The position moves to **Locked → Vested** on the Dashboard, where you can track unlock progress. While vesting, **you continue to earn rewards at a 30% reduction**.
4. After 30 days, redeem the full amount as ALB.

>

> You have **7 days** to redeem after vesting completes. If you miss the window, the position re-locks and starts a new 30-day vesting cycle.

### Path B — 1% instant redemption, every 12 hours

1. In the unstake modal, toggle **Instant 1% Redemption** on.
2. Confirm the transaction. You instantly receive 1% of your staked esALB back as ALB.
3. You can repeat every 24 hours.

The 1% is computed against your **total** esALB position, including any portion currently in 30-day vesting. You can use both paths simultaneously — e.g., put half into 30-day redemption and drip the rest 1% per day.

## Common pitfalls

* **"I don't see my locked esALB on the Dashboard."** It's probably staked in the esALB Single Stake vault. Unstake first; it'll reappear under your portfolio.
* **"My approve transaction succeeded but Lock still says I need to approve."** Likely an allowance-cap quirk on Base. See [Changing allowance](/alb-and-esalb/escrowed-alb-esalb/changing-allowance.md).
* **"I missed the 7-day redeem window."** It auto-relocks. Re-trigger redemption to start a fresh 30-day cycle, or use Path B to drip out.
* **"Why is my staking APR lower than expected?"** APR includes the unlocked ALB stream from the vault. The Real Yield (WETH) is shown separately. Total economics is APR + WETH yield + governance optionality.

## govALB (coming via AIP-5)

[AIP-5](https://medium.com/@alienbase/aip-5-building-alien-base-2-0-96dc24984cd2) introduces **govALB** — a longer-locked variant of esALB that confers **10× voting weight**. The trade-off is a longer effective lock (\~2 years). It's designed for users who want maximum governance influence and are willing to commit time for it. Mechanics will be documented as it rolls out — see [Alien Base 2.0](/alb-and-esalb/alien-base-2-0.md).

## Live data

The [Dune dashboard](https://dune.com/sealaunch/alienbase) tracks esALB live:

* **esALB Holders** — current count and growth over time.
* **ALB locked on esALB** and **ALB in esALB** — the supply view.
* **ALB-esALB Lock/Unlock** — daily inflows/outflows between ALB and esALB.
* **Total Holders (ALB + esALB)** — combined holder count, useful for evaluating decentralization.

## See also

* [esLP](/alb-and-esalb/eslp.md) — locked LP positions (e.g., ALB-ETH).
* [Vesting](/alb-and-esalb/vesting.md) — long-form vesting schedules (team, advisors, contributors).
* [Real Yield (WETH)](/alb-and-esalb/real-yield.md) — the protocol-fee distribution mechanism.
* [Changing allowance](/alb-and-esalb/escrowed-alb-esalb/changing-allowance.md) — fixing the "approve but won't lock" issue.
* [Data & Analytics](/reference/data-and-analytics.md) — full data-source map.
* [Introducing EsALB: The Next Phase of Alien Base Tokenomics](https://medium.com/@alienbase/introducing-esalb-the-next-phase-of-alien-base-tokenomics-e5bfa049486f) — original launch article.