diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/ATPStakingCard/ATPStakingCard.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/ATPStakingCard/ATPStakingCard.tsx
index f02b094ab..327b5ea62 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/ATPStakingCard/ATPStakingCard.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/ATPStakingCard/ATPStakingCard.tsx
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import { useRollupData } from "@/hooks/rollup/useRollupData";
 import { useStakerBalance } from "@/hooks/staker/useStakerBalance";
 import { useNCStakerStatus } from "@/hooks/staker/useNCStakerStatus";
 import { useBlockTimestamp } from "@/hooks/useBlockTimestamp";
-import { usePendingWithdrawals } from "@/hooks/governance";
+import { usePendingWithdrawals, useUserGovernancePower } from "@/hooks/governance";
 import { ExternalGovernanceModal } from "@/components/ExternalGovernanceModal";
 import { useTransactionCart } from "@/contexts/TransactionCartContext";
 import {
@@ -201,6 +201,22 @@ export const ATPStakingCard = ({
     (sum, w) => sum + w.amount,
     0n
   );
+  // Active governance voting power held by this vault's staker — tokens
+  // the operator (or beneficiary) explicitly deposited into the Governance
+  // contract, separate from any sequencer-stake delegation. This dashboard
+  // doesn't offer governance actions (vote, deposit, withdraw-from-gov);
+  // users must use the Aztec governance dashboard for those, so we surface
+  // a banner whenever this is non-zero so operators know to look there.
+  const { votingPower: stakerGovernancePower } = useUserGovernancePower({
+    stakerAddress: data.staker as Address | undefined,
+  });
+  const activeGovernanceAmount =
+    stakerGovernancePower.stakerPowers[0]?.power ?? 0n;
+  // Combined "tokens currently in governance" for this vault. Both active
+  // voting power and in-flight withdrawals from governance are tokens
+  // outside the sequencer-stake path that this dashboard can't act on.
+  const governanceTotalAmount = activeGovernanceAmount + pendingGovernanceAmount;
+  const hasGovernanceAllocation = governanceTotalAmount > 0n;
   const [isGovernanceModalOpen, setIsGovernanceModalOpen] = useState(false);
 
   const globalLockTimeDisplay = getTimeToClaimForATP(data, blockTimestamp);
@@ -555,6 +571,51 @@ export const ATPStakingCard = ({
         </button>
       </div>
 
+      {/* Governance allocation warning. Surfaces both active voting
+          power and pending governance withdrawals — neither path is
+          actionable from this dashboard. The button opens the same
+          external-frontends modal the Navbar's Governance button does. */}
+      {hasGovernanceAllocation && (
+        <div className="mb-6 p-3 border border-amber-400/40 bg-amber-400/10 flex items-start gap-3">
+          <Icon
+            name="info"
+            size="md"
+            className="text-amber-400 flex-shrink-0 mt-0.5"
+          />
+          <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+            <div className="text-sm font-oracle-standard font-bold text-amber-400 uppercase tracking-wide mb-1">
+              Tokens in Governance
+            </div>
+            <div className="text-xs text-parchment/80 mb-2">
+              This Token Vault has{" "}
+              <span className="font-mono font-bold text-parchment">
+                {formatTokenAmount(governanceTotalAmount, decimals, symbol)}
+              </span>{" "}
+              allocated to the Governance contract
+              {pendingGovernanceAmount > 0n && activeGovernanceAmount > 0n && (
+                <>
+                  {" "}
+                  ({formatTokenAmount(activeGovernanceAmount, decimals, symbol)}{" "}
+                  active voting power,{" "}
+                  {formatTokenAmount(pendingGovernanceAmount, decimals, symbol)}{" "}
+                  pending withdrawal)
+                </>
+              )}
+              . These tokens are separate from sequencer stake and can't be
+              voted, withdrawn, or finalized from this dashboard — use the
+              Aztec governance dashboard to manage them.
+            </div>
+            <button
+              type="button"
+              onClick={() => setIsGovernanceModalOpen(true)}
+              className="text-xs font-oracle-standard font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-amber-400 underline hover:text-amber-300"
+            >
+              Open Governance Dashboard →
+            </button>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
       {/* Total Funds - Full Width */}
       <div className="mb-6">
         <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-1">
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/ATPStakingOverview/ValidatorStatsDisplay.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/ATPStakingOverview/ValidatorStatsDisplay.tsx
index ab805563e..ab6182e2f 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/ATPStakingOverview/ValidatorStatsDisplay.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/ATPStakingOverview/ValidatorStatsDisplay.tsx
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ export const ValidatorStatsDisplay = ({
         <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
           <div className="w-2 h-2 bg-parchment" />
           <span className="text-sm font-oracle-standard text-parchment uppercase tracking-wide">
-            Validator Capacity
+            Sequencer Capacity
           </span>
         </div>
         {stakeableAtps.length > 1 && (
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ export const ValidatorStatsDisplay = ({
 
       <div className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-3 mb-2">
         <div>
-          <div className="text-xs text-parchment/60 uppercase tracking-wide mb-1">Total Validators</div>
+          <div className="text-xs text-parchment/60 uppercase tracking-wide mb-1">Total Sequencers</div>
           <div className="font-mono text-lg font-bold text-parchment">
             {totalValidatorCount}
           </div>
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ export const ValidatorStatsDisplay = ({
       </div>
 
       <div className="text-xs text-parchment/60 border-t border-parchment/20 pt-3">
-        Each validator requires {formatTokenAmount(activationThreshold, decimals, symbol)} minimum stake
+        Each sequencer requires {formatTokenAmount(activationThreshold, decimals, symbol)} minimum stake
       </div>
 
       {/* ATP Breakdown */}
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ export const ValidatorStatsDisplay = ({
             By Token Vault
           </div>
           {sortedStakeableAtps.map((atp) => {
-            const atpValidators = activationThreshold && atp.stakeableAmount
+            const atpSequencers = activationThreshold && atp.stakeableAmount
               ? Number(atp.stakeableAmount / activationThreshold)
               : 0
             const displayNumber = atp.sequentialNumber || '?'
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ export const ValidatorStatsDisplay = ({
                     {formatTokenAmount(atp.stakeableAmount || 0n, decimals, symbol)}
                   </span>
                   <span className="text-sm font-bold text-parchment">
-                    {atpValidators} validator{atpValidators !== 1 ? 's' : ''}
+                    {atpSequencers} sequencer{atpSequencers !== 1 ? 's' : ''}
                   </span>
                 </div>
               </div>
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/HeroSection/HeroSection.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/HeroSection/HeroSection.tsx
index c4abf16b9..a4af249aa 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/HeroSection/HeroSection.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/HeroSection/HeroSection.tsx
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ export const HeroSection = () => {
                             ? "Does not include queued attesters. Includes sequencers who initiated exits but have not yet finalized."
                             : stat.title === "Minimum Stake Required"
                               ? "The minimum amount of tokens required to create a single stake position"
-                              : "Total tokens distributed as rewards to all validators."
+                              : "Total tokens distributed as rewards to all sequencers."
                     }
                     size="md"
                     maxWidth="max-w-sm"
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/Provider/ProviderSequencerList.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/Provider/ProviderSequencerList.tsx
index 58198264b..a8caa60ad 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/Provider/ProviderSequencerList.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/Provider/ProviderSequencerList.tsx
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ export const ProviderSequencerList = ({ stakes }: ProviderSequencerListProps) =>
                                 target="_blank"
                                 rel="noopener noreferrer"
                                 className="text-parchment/60 hover:text-chartreuse transition-colors flex-shrink-0"
-                                title="View in validator dashboard"
+                                title="View in sequencer dashboard"
                               >
                                 <Icon name="externalLink" size="sm" />
                               </a>
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/Registration/RegistrationPreInfo.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/Registration/RegistrationPreInfo.tsx
index ec25079a4..8e464545c 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/Registration/RegistrationPreInfo.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/Registration/RegistrationPreInfo.tsx
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ export const RegistrationPreInfo = ({ onStartRegistration }: RegistrationPreInfo
             <div className="w-1.5 h-1.5 bg-chartreuse mt-2 flex-shrink-0" />
             <div>
               <div className="text-sm text-parchment font-medium">Sequencer keystores</div>
-              <div className="text-xs text-parchment/60 mt-0.5">Validator key files ready to upload</div>
+              <div className="text-xs text-parchment/60 mt-0.5">Sequencer key files ready to upload</div>
             </div>
           </div>
           <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/Registration/RegistrationUploadKeys.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/Registration/RegistrationUploadKeys.tsx
index cc3339b76..1819d3725 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/Registration/RegistrationUploadKeys.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/Registration/RegistrationUploadKeys.tsx
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ export const RegistrationUploadKeys = () => {
               </span>
             </div>
             <p className="text-xs text-parchment/70 mb-3">
-              Generate your validator BLS keys
+              Generate your sequencer BLS keys
             </p>
             <a
               href="https://docs.aztec.network/the_aztec_network/setup/sequencer_management#step-2-move-keystore-to-docker-directory"
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.tsx
index cd9043593..a4a657e1e 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ export default function Sidebar() {
                   : styles.link
               }
             >
-              Register Validator
+              Register Sequencer
             </Link>
           </li>
         </ul>
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/Stake/StakeFlowAtpSelection.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/Stake/StakeFlowAtpSelection.tsx
index e67fe447f..0dd4c7bff 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/Stake/StakeFlowAtpSelection.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/Stake/StakeFlowAtpSelection.tsx
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ export const StakeFlowAtpSelection = ({ columns = 3, itemsPerPage: customItemsPe
           <p className="text-xs text-parchment/50">
             {isError
               ? "Please try again or check your connection"
-              : "You need to have Token Vaults to register as a validator"
+              : "You need to have Token Vaults to register as a sequencer"
             }
           </p>
         </div>
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/StakeMethodSelectionModal/StakeMethodSelectionModal.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/StakeMethodSelectionModal/StakeMethodSelectionModal.tsx
index 55c2e0b90..16d947fe3 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/StakeMethodSelectionModal/StakeMethodSelectionModal.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/StakeMethodSelectionModal/StakeMethodSelectionModal.tsx
@@ -53,13 +53,13 @@ export default function StakeMethodSelectionModal({
             >
               <div className={styles.optionIcon}>⚙️</div>
               <div className={styles.optionContent}>
-                <h3>Register Your Validator</h3>
+                <h3>Register Your Sequencer</h3>
                 <p>
                   Register as an operator if you're already running your own
-                  validator and want others to delegate to you.
+                  sequencer and want others to delegate to you.
                 </p>
                 <ul>
-                  <li>Requires running validator infrastructure</li>
+                  <li>Requires running sequencer infrastructure</li>
                   <li>Higher potential rewards</li>
                 </ul>
               </div>
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/StakingChoiceModal/StakingChoiceModal.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/StakingChoiceModal/StakingChoiceModal.tsx
index bbc98bafc..c0d5c2046 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/StakingChoiceModal/StakingChoiceModal.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/StakingChoiceModal/StakingChoiceModal.tsx
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ export const StakingChoiceModal = ({ isOpen, onClose, selectedAtp }: StakingChoi
               </div>
             </div>
 
-            {/* Register Your Validator Option */}
+            {/* Register Your Sequencer Option */}
             <div className="bg-parchment/5 border border-parchment/20 p-6 hover:border-chartreuse/50 hover:bg-chartreuse/5 transition-all">
               <div className="flex flex-col items-center text-center h-full">
                 {/* Icon */}
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/StatsGrid/StatCard.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/StatsGrid/StatCard.tsx
index 8b888fa9d..dc3fcda31 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/StatsGrid/StatCard.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/StatsGrid/StatCard.tsx
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ export const StatCard = ({ title, value, change, delay }: StatCardProps) => {
           <TooltipIcon
             content={
               title === "Total Value Locked" ? "Total value of all AZTEC tokens currently staked in the protocol." :
-              title === "Current APR" ? "Average annual percentage rate for staking rewards across all validators." :
+              title === "Current APR" ? "Average annual percentage rate for staking rewards across all sequencers." :
               title === "Total Stakes" ? "Total number of staking positions in the protocol." :
               "Total AZTEC tokens distributed as staking rewards to all participants."
             }
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/StepSetValidatorAddress/StepSetValidatorAddress.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/StepSetValidatorAddress/StepSetValidatorAddress.tsx
index d60ca4032..26c8516e2 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/StepSetValidatorAddress/StepSetValidatorAddress.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/StepSetValidatorAddress/StepSetValidatorAddress.tsx
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ export default function StepSetValidatorAddress({
   return (
     <div className={styles.validatorContainer}>
       <div className={styles.stepDescription}>
-        Want to run a validator?{" "}
+        Want to run a sequencer?{" "}
         <a
           href="https://docs.aztec.network/validators"
           target="_blank"
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ export default function StepSetValidatorAddress({
             onChange={(e) => onValidatorRunningChange(e.target.checked)}
             disabled={!canInput}
           />
-          My validator is up and running
+          My sequencer is up and running
         </label>
       </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/components/StepUploadKeys/StepUploadKeys.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/components/StepUploadKeys/StepUploadKeys.tsx
index 939f8dd33..113689f82 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/components/StepUploadKeys/StepUploadKeys.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/components/StepUploadKeys/StepUploadKeys.tsx
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ export default function StepUploadKeys({
   return (
     <div className={styles.keysContainer}>
       <div className={styles.stepDescription}>
-        Upload your validator keys and provide necessary validator
+        Upload your sequencer keys and provide necessary sequencer
         configuration.
       </div>
 
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ export default function StepUploadKeys({
             <option value="true">Yes</option>
           </select>
           <div className={styles.governanceNote}>
-            Whether validator follows network governance automatically.
+            Whether sequencer follows network governance automatically.
           </div>
         </div>
       </div>
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/pages/Providers/StakingProviderDetailPage.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/pages/Providers/StakingProviderDetailPage.tsx
index f0d009882..ff90396d7 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/pages/Providers/StakingProviderDetailPage.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/pages/Providers/StakingProviderDetailPage.tsx
@@ -40,10 +40,10 @@ export default function StakingProviderDetailPage() {
     <div className="space-y-6">
       <PageHeader
         title={applyHeroItalics("Selected Provider")}
-        description="Stake funds through existing validators"
+        description="Stake funds through existing sequencers"
         backTo="/providers"
         backLabel="Back to Delegate"
-        tooltip="Delegate your tokens to this provider. They will handle validator operations while you earn staking rewards. Review their commission rate and performance metrics before proceeding."
+        tooltip="Delegate your tokens to this provider. They will handle sequencer operations while you earn staking rewards. Review their commission rate and performance metrics before proceeding."
       />
 
       <ProviderOverview provider={provider} />
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/pages/RegisterValidator/ValidatorRegistration.tsx b/staking-dashboard/src/pages/RegisterValidator/ValidatorRegistration.tsx
index 429a2501d..2f5c1db5b 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/pages/RegisterValidator/ValidatorRegistration.tsx
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/pages/RegisterValidator/ValidatorRegistration.tsx
@@ -339,9 +339,9 @@ export default function ValidatorRegistration() {
     <div className={`page-content ${styles.registerView}`}>
       <div className={`page-header ${styles.sectionHeader}`}>
         <div>
-          <h2>Register your Validator</h2>
+          <h2>Register your Sequencer</h2>
           <p>
-            Follow these steps to register and stake with your validator node
+            Follow these steps to register and stake with your sequencer node
           </p>
         </div>
       </div>
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ export default function ValidatorRegistration() {
         <RegistrationPreInfo onStartRegistration={handleStartRegistration} />
       ) : !isConnected ? (
         <div className={styles.connectWalletPrompt}>
-          <p>Connect your wallet to register as a validator</p>
+          <p>Connect your wallet to register as a sequencer</p>
           <ConnectButton />
         </div>
       ) : (
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ export default function ValidatorRegistration() {
           {registrationCompleted && (
             <div className={styles.successMessageCompact}>
               <span className={styles.successIcon}>✓</span>
-              <span>Successfully registered validator and staked</span>
+              <span>Successfully registered sequencer and staked</span>
             </div>
           )}
         </div>
diff --git a/staking-dashboard/src/utils/stakingSteps.ts b/staking-dashboard/src/utils/stakingSteps.ts
index 3df18b132..a776a9901 100644
--- a/staking-dashboard/src/utils/stakingSteps.ts
+++ b/staking-dashboard/src/utils/stakingSteps.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ export const STAKING_STEPS = {
     title: "Select Token Position to stake",
   },
   SET_VALIDATOR_ADDRESS: {
-    title: "Input your Validator Address and confirm it's up and synced",
+    title: "Input your Sequencer Address and confirm it's up and synced",
   },
   SET_OPERATOR_ADDRESS: {
     title: "Set Operator Address",
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ export const STAKING_STEPS = {
     title: "Approve token spending",
   },
   UPLOAD_VALIDATOR_KEYS: {
-    title: "Upload Validator Keys",
+    title: "Upload Sequencer Keys",
   },
   STAKE: {
     title: "Stake",