Key Takeaways
Staking is when you lock cryptocurrency to support the security and functionality of a blockchain, earning rewards in return.
Popular among crypto holders, staking allows investors to support their favorite blockchains while growing their holdings over time.
Staking is only available in certain blockchains that use the Proof of Stake consensus mechanism. Examples include Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Avalanche, Polkadot, Cosmos, and many others.
Although staking can increase your crypto holdings, it’s important to consider potential risks, including loss of funds due to volatility, slashing, or technical failures.
What Is Staking in Crypto?
Staking is the process of locking up a certain amount of cryptocurrency to help secure and support the operations of a blockchain network. By doing so, stakers are rewarded with additional cryptocurrency, making it a popular method for investors to earn passive income. Staking is an important part of Proof of Stake blockchains.
What Is Proof of Stake?
Proof of Stake (PoS) is a consensus mechanism used to verify and validate transactions. It was created in 2011 as an alternative to the Proof of Work (PoW) mechanism used by Bitcoin.
The main difference between PoW and PoS is that PoS does not rely on mining, which is a resource-intensive process. Instead of having miners use computational power to solve complex math problems, PoS networks rely on validators selected based on the number of coins they hold and are willing to stake.
How Does Crypto Staking Work?
In short, staking involves locking up your cryptocurrency to participate in the activities of a blockchain network. The process may differ depending on the blockchain, but here's how it typically works:
1. Selection of validators: In PoS blockchains, validators are chosen based on a combination of factors, including the number of coins staked, the length of time they’ve been staked, and sometimes random selection.
2. Validation of transactions: Once selected, the validator is responsible for checking and validating transactions, ensuring they are legitimate.
3. Block creation: The validated transactions are grouped into a block, which is then added to the blockchain, which is essentially a distributed ledger.
4. Rewards: As a reward for their work, validators earn a portion of the transaction fees and, in some cases, new cryptocurrency coins.
Types of Staking
Depending on your level of technical expertise and the amount of crypto you want to stake, there are different ways to do it. Some of the most common types of staking include:
Solo or self-staking: Involves running a validator node. This option gives you the most control but requires significant technical knowledge and responsibility. If not done properly, you may lose your assets due to slashing penalizations.
Exchange staking: Some cryptocurrency exchanges offer staking services, providing the easiest way to stake without handling the technicalities yourself. This method is also known as “staking as a service”. For example, you can earn daily rewards with Binance ETH Staking.
Delegated staking: You can delegate your coins to a trusted validator or staking service, allowing them to handle the technical aspects. Some altcoins offer this option directly from their native crypto wallets.
Staking pools: Pooled staking allows you to stake coins with other users, increasing your chances of earning rewards without the need to run your own node.
What Is a Staking Pool?
A staking pool is a group of cryptocurrency holders who combine their staking power to increase their chances of being selected as validators. By pooling resources, participants can earn staking rewards proportionally to their contribution to the pool.
This option is especially beneficial for smaller investors who may not have enough coins to meet the minimum staking requirements. However, it’s essential to research and choose a reputable staking pool, as fees and security can vary.
Staking vs. Liquid Staking
Liquid staking is a newer form of staking that allows users to stake their assets without losing liquidity. Unlike conventional staking, where assets are often locked and inaccessible during the staking period, liquid staking introduces mechanisms that enable users to maintain liquidity while still earning staking rewards.
One common approach involves issuing liquid staking tokens (LSTs), which are tokens that represent the staked assets. For instance, when you stake ETH on Binance, you will receive WBETH in return, which can be traded or used elsewhere without compromising the ETH staking rewards. Similarly, when you stake ETH on a platform like Lido, you will receive an LST called stETH in return.
There are also platforms that allow direct staking without issuing LSTs, known as native liquid staking, as seen with ADA on the Cardano blockchain. This innovation gives users the benefits of staking while retaining the ability to use their assets freely.
The Advantages of Staking Your Crypto
Staking is a way to make your idle assets work for you, meaning you can generate rewards while helping secure your favorite blockchain networks. Crypto staking is particularly common among long-term crypto holders who want to get the most out of their holdings.
Why stake?
Earn rewards: Staking allows you to earn additional cryptocurrency by holding your coins in a staking wallet, which can be a great way to generate passive income.
Support the network: By staking, you help secure the network and ensure its proper functioning, contributing to its overall health.
Governance participation: In some networks, staking grants you voting rights, allowing you to influence the network’s future direction.
Energy efficiency: Unlike PoW mining, staking requires significantly less energy, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
Is Staking Crypto Worth It?
Yes. It’s usually worth staking your idle crypto assets to generate passive income – especially if you are a long-term holder and want to support the project. However, the potential rewards and risks can vary depending on the cryptocurrency and platform of choice.
For example, if a DeFi staking platform offers great returns but fails to provide security, your staked assets could be stolen or lost. Market volatility is another risk factor that may offset rewards or cause losses.
Risks of Staking
While crypto staking can generate rewards, it also involves risks. Some of the potential risks of staking include:
1. Market volatility: If the price of the crypto you are staking drops significantly, there is a good chance your staking rewards won’t be enough to cover your losses.
2. Slashing risk: If you become a PoS validator, you need to ensure your staking operations are working as intended. Validators who act maliciously or fail to maintain their node can be penalized, resulting in a loss of staked funds.
3. Centralization risk: If a small number of validators control most of the staked coins, it could lead to centralization, which may threaten the network’s security.
4. Technical risk: Some types of staking require locking up your coins for a specific period. Technical issues, like smart contract mistakes or software bugs, can result in loss of access or frozen funds.
5. Third-party risk: If you stake through a third-party service, you are trusting others with your funds. If the platform gets hacked, your funds may be at risk. DeFi platforms may also involve similar risks, especially when you are required to grant full access to your crypto wallet.
How to Stake Crypto in 2024
1. Choose a PoS cryptocurrency: Select a cryptocurrency that supports staking. Ensure you understand the staking requirements and rewards.
2. Set up a wallet: Use a wallet compatible with staking. It’s safer to use popular wallets, such as Binance Web3 Wallet, MetaMask, or TrustWallet.
3. Start staking: Follow the network’s instructions to stake your coins, either by running a validator node, delegating to a validator, or joining a staking pool.
Keep in mind that the Web3 wallets are just interfaces to staking services and do not control the underlying protocols. Give preference to well-established blockchains like Ethereum and Solana and do your own research before taking financial risks.
How Are Staking Rewards Calculated?
Staking rewards vary by network and are often determined by factors such as:
The amount of cryptocurrency you stake.
The length of time you've been staking.
The total number of staked coins in the network.
The network’s transaction fees and coin inflation rate.
In some blockchains, rewards are distributed as a fixed percentage, making it easier to predict your earnings. Staking rewards are often measured by their estimated annual returns, i.e., annual percentage rate (APR).
Can You Withdraw Staked Crypto?
Usually, yes. You should be able to withdraw your staked crypto at any time. However, the exact mechanisms and rules will vary from one staking platform to another. In some cases, withdrawing staked assets early may lead to partial or total loss of the staking rewards. Check the staking rules of the blockchain or platform you are using.
It’s worth noting that the Ethereum Shanghai upgrade of 2023 enabled staking withdrawals on the Ethereum network. The upgrade enables ETH stakers to opt in to automatically receive their staking rewards and withdraw their locked ETH at any time.
Why Can’t You Stake All Cryptocurrencies?
Staking is specific to PoS blockchains. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which operate on a PoW consensus mechanism, cannot be staked. Even within PoS networks, not all cryptocurrencies support staking, as they may use different mechanisms to incentivize participation.
Closing Thoughts
Staking cryptocurrency offers a way to participate in blockchain networks while earning rewards. Still, it’s crucial to understand the risks involved, including market volatility, third-party, slashing, and technical risks. By carefully choosing your staking method and thoroughly researching the network, you can effectively contribute to the blockchain ecosystem and potentially earn passive income.
Further Reading
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