# What is RUNE?

RUNE is THORChain’s native asset. Node operators bond it to take part in the network, and it sits on one side of every pool of liquidity, so a swap from Bitcoin to Ether runs from BTC to RUNE to ETH in one flow.

## What it is used for

- Bonding: node operators lock RUNE to join the network and to secure the vaults they help run.
- Liquidity: every pool pairs a coin with RUNE, which makes RUNE the bridge in price, not in custody.
- Network fees: transactions on THORChain itself pay their fee in RUNE.

## In Redacted

RUNE works in Redacted like any other coin: move it into the Reserve once, then swap, trade and stake it from a private account with no visible link to your wallet.

More: [Private RUNE](https://redacted.gg/private/rune/)

## Related terms

- [THORChain](https://redacted.gg/glossary/thorchain.md): THORChain is a network that swaps native coins across chains, such as Bitcoin for Ether, with no bridges and no wrapped tokens. The coins sit in vaults on their home chains, secured by about 100 independent node operators.
- [Native cross-chain swap](https://redacted.gg/glossary/cross-chain-swap.md): A native cross-chain swap trades a coin on one chain for a coin on another, for example Bitcoin for Ether, by moving the real coins between vaults instead of minting wrapped copies on a bridge.
- [Secured assets](https://redacted.gg/glossary/secured-assets.md): Secured assets are native coins deposited into THORChain’s vaults and held one to one on THORChain, such as BTC-BTC for Bitcoin. Apps use them for trading, lending and more, and they can be withdrawn back to their home chain as the real coin.

Sources: [THORChain documentation](https://docs.thorchain.org/)
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Page: https://redacted.gg/glossary/rune/