# Creating your first node

The first step into making a Thor node is holding the required $THOR tokens for the desired tiers.

### How to buy $THOR:

1\. Create and setup a [MetaMask wallet](https://metamask.io/download.html) (available as a web browser extension and mobile app).

2\. Add the AVAX network to your MetaMask wallet. Go to the [AVAX page on CoinGecko](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/avalanche) and click the little MetaMask fox logo to add the AVAX contract to your wallet.

3\. Buy some $AVAX from [CoinBase](https://cryptonewb.xyz/go/coinbase/) or your preferred exchange ([Binance](https://cryptonewb.xyz/go/binance/) and [Kucoin](https://cryptonewb.xyz/go/kucoin/) are great options too).

:warning::warning:<mark style="color:red;">If you are buying $AVAX from an exchange other than CoinBase, check to make sure it supports “C-Chain” AVAX transfers. C-Chain network works with MetaMask.</mark>

&#x20;4\. Send your purchased $AVAX to your MetaMask wallet.

5\. Swap your $AVAX for $THOR through the exchange [TraderJoe](https://traderjoexyz.com/#/trade)

![](https://1799679871-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvAs822HqitSleaRKiC9h%2Fuploads%2FuVIrada0UYmpQLI9qMy1%2Fbuy-thor-with-avax-on-traderjoe-1024x663.jpeg?alt=media\&token=69122547-11db-49ff-9be7-c20cf382e99e)

![](https://1799679871-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvAs822HqitSleaRKiC9h%2Fuploads%2FqkTN79y9y0uBw9YAvru9%2F%2013.47.47.png?alt=media\&token=d56e0e1f-1fef-4cbb-94ca-056f54d03016)

6\. Add the $THOR contract to your wallet by clicking the “add to wallet” link on the swap page.

**Optional** – You can manually add the $THOR contract to your wallet using this address: 0x8f47416cae600bccf9530e9f3aeaa06bdd1caa79

7\. Go to the [THOR dApp dashboard](https://app.thor.financial/) and connect your wallet. Accept the approval fee to use $THOR in your wallet.

8\. Select the Heimdall node (or the node that you want). Give your node a name (must be longer than 5 characters), and click create node.

You’re now the new owner of a THOR node! You should be able to see your node in your dashboard along with your earned rewards balance.

![](https://1799679871-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvAs822HqitSleaRKiC9h%2Fuploads%2FzAcekVfg0ZY2uKfeonVd%2Fthor-node-1024x141.jpeg?alt=media\&token=d3f3f63f-c2f2-4ec6-8f2f-cd7b707eb120)

### Additional information

In addition to the cost  and rewards of nodes, there's little monthly maintenance fees attached to each node which is also part of the tools enabling the long term sustainability of the protocol.

![Thor node costs, rewards, and key points (Source: Thor Node discord)](https://1799679871-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvAs822HqitSleaRKiC9h%2Fuploads%2FtZg3rWBo730NFtT1Ey1A%2Fthor-financial-node-info-1024x849.jpeg?alt=media\&token=4d96f0b6-de51-4042-a13d-97a44efb21e6)