> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.thorchain.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.thorchain.org/technical-documentation/understanding-thorchain/roles.md).

# Roles

Roles within THORChain

In the THORChain ecosystem, there are four key roles that network participants may play:

1. **Liquidity providers**: these add liquidity to pools, earning fees for their temporary deposit
2. **Swappers**: those users who use THORChain's liquidity to swap assets ad-hoc, paying fees for the service
3. **Arbitrageurs**: expert traders who continually monitor and rebalance pools; still paying fees but with the intent to earn a profit
4. **Node Operators** who provide a bond and are paid to secure the system.

A single user may take on multiple roles simultaneously.