NIOME is the alpha token for Genomes.io's subnet on Bittensor — a decentralised AI network developing privacy-safe synthetic genomic data. Holding NIOME represents a stake in Subnet 55; it is also a volatile crypto asset and is not an ownership interest in Genomes.io.
This guide explains one route from choosing a compatible Bittensor wallet to staking into NIOME, even if you have not used crypto before.
Before diving in, here's the full journey:
Check every live quote before you act. Prices, fees, regional availability, wallet interfaces, and staking screens can change without notice. Use only official links, verify the destination address, and start with an amount you can afford to lose.
Create your Bittensor wallet
Bittensor runs on its own blockchain — so you need a compatible wallet, not an Ethereum- or Solana-only wallet. This guide uses the Crucible browser extension, which is listed on Bittensor's current wallet directory. All options on that directory are third-party tools, so research the wallet and verify the publisher before installing it.
Why a separate wallet? When you buy TAO on a centralised exchange, the exchange holds the tokens on your behalf. To stake into NIOME through Taostats, you need TAO in a compatible self-custody wallet—one where you control the keys.
The four main wallet options for Bittensor are:
The steps below use Crucible's browser extension. If you choose another wallet, follow that provider's verified setup and backup instructions.
Install the extension
- Open Chrome and go to bittensor.com/wallet
- Select Crucible Wallet, follow the link to Crucible's site, and use its Download Wallet link
- At the browser-extension listing, confirm the wallet name, publisher, domain, and requested permissions before installing
- After installation, pin Crucible to the browser toolbar so you can review connection and signing requests
Create your wallet
- Open Crucible from the browser toolbar and choose the option to create a new wallet
- Read the wallet's security information and follow the current setup prompts
- Write the generated recovery phrase down in the exact order shown and store it securely offline. Never photograph, email, upload, or share it.
- Complete the wallet's recovery-phrase confirmation and set a strong local password
- Open the new account and copy its full public Bittensor address; you will need this address in Step 3
Copy your public wallet address before moving on. It will look something like 5EkRQ...Pz3. You will need it in Step 3 to receive TAO. Double-check that you copied the full string; never use your recovery phrase as an address.
Buy TAO on an exchange
TAO is Bittensor's native token and the asset used to stake into Subnet 55. Exchange support varies by country and can change, so confirm TAO trading and withdrawal availability in your own account before depositing funds.
We'll walk through Coinbase — it's the most accessible starting point for most users.
Buy TAO on Coinbase
- Go to coinbase.com and sign in (or create an account and complete any required identity checks)
- Click Buy & Sell in the top navigation
- In the search box, type TAO or Bittensor and select it from the list
- Enter the amount you want to spend in your local currency (GBP, USD, EUR etc.)
- Select an available payment method and compare the displayed processing time and total fees
- Review the order summary, noting the fees and the TAO amount you'll receive, then click Buy now
How much TAO do you need? TAO can be purchased fractionally, but minimum orders, withdrawal minimums, network costs, and payment fees vary. Check the live order preview and withdrawal screen first, and keep enough TAO available for any transaction costs.
Withdraw TAO to your wallet
Your TAO is currently sitting inside Coinbase's custodial system — think of it as cash in a deposit box. To buy NIOME, you need to move it into the self-custody wallet you created in Step 1. This transfer goes directly on the Bittensor blockchain and typically takes a few minutes.
Triple-check the destination address. Blockchain transfers are irreversible. Send TAO to the wrong address and it's gone. Always paste your wallet address — never type it manually — and verify the first four and last four characters match before confirming.
Send TAO from Coinbase to your wallet
- In Coinbase, click Send / Receive in the top navigation, then select Send
- In the asset selector, choose Bittensor (TAO)
- In the To field, paste your Bittensor wallet address (the
5E…address you copied in Step 1) - Enter the amount of TAO to send. For your first time, consider sending a small test amount (e.g. 0.01 TAO) to verify everything works before sending the full balance.
- Click Continue, review the network fee, then Confirm
Confirm receipt in your wallet
- Open Crucible and select the same account whose public address you used for the withdrawal
- Wait for the exchange to mark the withdrawal complete, then check the transaction on taostats.io by pasting your public wallet address into the search bar. Exchange processing times vary.
Stake into Subnet 55 on Taostats
NIOME is Subnet 55's alpha token. It is acquired by staking TAO into the subnet. This guide uses the third-party Taostats explorer and staking interface at taostats.io/subnets/55/chart; verify the domain and transaction details before approving a wallet request.
What does "buying alpha" mean? On Bittensor's dynamic TAO system (launched February 2025), each subnet has its own token called an alpha token. Subnet 55's alpha token is NIOME. When you "buy" NIOME, you're depositing TAO into Subnet 55's pool in exchange for NIOME at the current market rate. The more demand for NIOME, the more TAO emissions flow to the subnet — a market-driven incentive mechanism.
Connect your wallet to Taostats
- Go to taostats.io/subnets/55/chart and confirm the page shows Subnet 55 / NIOME
- Click Connect Wallet in the top-right corner
- Select Crucible (or the compatible wallet you set up in Step 1)
- Your wallet will ask you to approve the connection; verify that the request is from the Taostats domain before approving it
- Your wallet address and TAO balance will now appear on the Taostats interface
Buy NIOME (stake TAO into Subnet 55)
- On the Subnet 55 chart page, you'll see a Buy / Sell panel on the right-hand side (or below the chart on mobile)
- Make sure Buy is selected
- In the TAO input field, enter the amount of TAO you want to spend — the interface will show you the estimated NIOME you'll receive and the current price impact
- Review the slippage or price-impact estimate. If it is higher than you expect, stop and reconsider the amount rather than assuming the quote will improve.
- Click Buy
- Your wallet will open to sign the transaction—review the subnet, TAO amount, quoted NIOME, and fees before approving
- Wait for the transaction to confirm, then verify the NIOME balance and transaction record before closing the page.
Review the order type. If the current interface offers market and limit orders, understand how each works before signing. Always check the quoted NIOME amount, slippage or price impact, fees, and minimum received.
Common questions
Ready to stake into Subnet 55?
Explore the NIOME subnet, read the technical whitepaper, or join the community on Discord.