> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.worldlibertyfinancial.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.worldlibertyfinancial.com/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi/unstake.md).
# Unstake
Once your position is past its 180-day minimum, you can unstake it. If you have cast the votes you need, claim instead so you keep your rewards; see [Claim your rewards](/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi/claim-rewards.md). This guide covers the two cases where the widget offers unstaking on its own: a matured position with no rewards to claim, and a matured position that is short of votes. In the second case your unclaimed rewards are forfeited. That option is for positions that have fallen too far behind to catch up, for example after a long stretch with no live proposals, since the number of votes you need keeps rising every 90 days. Unstaking always returns your whole position, and it does not change your total voting power.
## Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have:
* A staking position that has passed the 180-day minimum
* A signed staking agreement for the current version of the terms
* ETH in your wallet for gas fees
## Step 1: Choose the unstake path
On the staking page, look at the buttons under the staking widget once your position is past its 180-day minimum:
* **"Unstake"** shows when your position has no rewards to claim. It opens the **"Unstake $WLFI"** dialog; go to step 2.
* **"Unstake & forfeit rewards"** is the red button under a disabled **"Claim rewards"**, offered when you have not yet cast one vote for every full 90 days staked. It never shows before the minimum ends (there is no early exit), and it disappears once your votes are in. It opens the **"Unstake & forfeit rewards"** dialog; go to step 3.
* **"Claim rewards"**, enabled, shows when you have cast the votes you need. In that dialog, choose **"Unstake"**, then click **"Claim and unstake"** to claim your rewards and unstake; see [Claim your rewards](/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi/claim-rewards.md).
## Step 2: Unstake a position with no rewards
The **"Unstake $WLFI"** dialog reads "Return your staked $WLFI from a matured position to your wallet." It shows the amount under **"$WLFI returned to your wallet"**, then these rows:
* **$WLFI returned to your wallet**: your whole staked amount, with its dollar value in grey.
* **Voting power**: "How much your vote counts on governance proposals. It stays the same once your $WLFI is back in your wallet." It shows your total voting power as one figure, in points (pts).
* **Network fee**: "An estimate of the Ethereum network fee. Your wallet shows the exact amount before you confirm."
Click **"Unstake"** and confirm the transaction in your wallet. Go to step 4.
## Step 3: Unstake and forfeit rewards
The **"Unstake & forfeit rewards"** dialog reads "Return your staked $WLFI to your wallet and give up the rewards you have not claimed." It shows **"Rewards you will forfeit"** at the top: the USD1 rewards your position has built up and not claimed, which you give up by unstaking now. This figure is taken when the dialog opens. Your position keeps building rewards until the transaction goes through, so the amount given up may be slightly higher than shown. The rows below show:
* **$WLFI returned to your wallet**: your whole staked amount, including anything you added later, with its dollar value in grey. It does not include any USD1 rewards, because those are forfeited.
* **Voting power**: "How much your vote counts on governance proposals. It stays the same once your $WLFI is back in your wallet."
* **Governance votes**: "To claim, you need one vote for every 90 days staked, on any proposal." The votes you have cast from your own wallet, out of the votes you need to claim today, for example **"2 out of 3"**.
* **Network fee**: "An estimate of the Ethereum network fee. Your wallet shows the exact amount before you confirm."
Below the rows, a warning headed **"You will lose these rewards."** reads, with your own numbers: "You are 1 vote short of claiming. If you unstake now, your $WLFI is returned to your wallet, but these rewards are forfeited and go back to the rewards pool for other stakers. This action cannot be undone." Under it, the dialog tells you what it would take to keep them, for example "To keep your rewards, cast 1 more vote and claim instead. The requirement rises to 4 in \[N] days." If your voting power is delegated, it says instead that you need the votes cast from your own wallet and, while your voting power is delegated, can vote only with power others delegate to you; see [Delegate your voting power](/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi/delegate-voting-power.md).
{% hint style="warning" %}
Forfeited rewards cannot be recovered. They return to the rewards pool for other stakers. If you can still cast the votes you need, vote first and then claim; see [Vote to stay eligible](/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi/vote-to-stay-eligible.md).
{% endhint %}
Tick the checkbox **"I understand that my \[amount] in rewards will be forfeited."** The amount is the same figure shown at the top of the dialog. The box starts unticked each time the dialog opens, and the red **"Unstake & forfeit rewards"** button stays disabled until you tick it. Click it and confirm the transaction in your wallet.
The dialog shows the rewards you would give up and the votes you have cast
The button enables only after you tick the acknowledgement
## Step 4: Review the result
While the transaction is pending, the dialog shows **"Waiting for confirmation"**, first with **"Please confirm the transaction on your wallet to continue."** and then **"Your transaction was sent to the Ethereum network and is waiting to be confirmed."** When it is confirmed, the dialog shows **"Transaction complete!"** with **"\[amount] WLFI returned to your wallet."** After a forfeit, it adds **"\[amount] in unclaimed rewards forfeited."** Click **"View tx on Explorer"** to see the transaction, or **"Close"** to return to the page.
Your wallet's $WLFI balance rises by the unstaked amount, and your total voting power stays the same. The staking widget shows no position, with a **"Stake $WLFI"** button to start again. The **Your rewards** card is hidden, because it shows only while a stake is open. The **Activity** card adds rows under today's date: **"Unstaked"**, the full $WLFI amount returned to your wallet, and after a forfeit also **"Forfeited"**, the unclaimed USD1 rewards you gave up. Both rows link to the same transaction on the explorer. Your position is now closed: if you stake again later, you start a new position with a new 180-day minimum, and your vote count starts from zero.
{% hint style="success" %}
Your $WLFI is back in your wallet. You can stake again at any time. A new stake starts its own 180-day minimum and starts from zero votes; see [Stake $WLFI](/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi/stake.md).
{% endhint %}
## What's next?
* [**Stake $WLFI**](/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi/stake.md) - Open a new position
* [**Vote to stay eligible**](/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi/vote-to-stay-eligible.md) - Avoid forfeiting next time
* [**Claim your rewards**](/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi/claim-rewards.md) - Unstake with your rewards when you are eligible
## Additional resources
* [Stake $WLFI overview](/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi.md)
* [Staking FAQ](/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi/faq.md)
* [$WLFI Governance](/wlfi-token/wlfi-governance.md)
* [Contact Support](/resources/contact.md)
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:
```
GET https://docs.worldlibertyfinancial.com/wlfi-token/stake-wlfi/unstake.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `build a script that syncs our docs to a CMS` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
