> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hop.exchange/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hop.exchange/basics/faq/who-can-become-a-bonder.md).

# Who can become a Bonder?

For the time being, Bonders must be whitelisted by the Hop Bridge smart contract. We are working on decentralizing the Bonder role completely.\
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It requires locking up capital and running a [Bonder node](https://docs.hop.exchange/hop-node).

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