Home » Best Crypto Staking Rewards

Best Crypto Staking Rewards

Anthony Grech
Anthony Grech
Founder @ CoinMarketExpert · Practical crypto research and real-world staking comparisons (non-sponsored)
✅ Independently Curated 🧪 Methodology-led
Last updated
Feb 6, 2026
Update cycle
Live / periodic updates.
How I compare
APY + terms + risk
I care less about headline APY and more about: how you actually earn it, and what can go wrong.
  • 📅 Updated: Jan 2026
  • 🧠 Angle: Practical staking (not hype)
  • 🧪 Focus: Highest staking rewards + highest APY crypto staking
  • ⚖️ Policy: Unbiased comparisons

Highest Staking Rewards 2026 | Best Staking Rewards + Highest APY Crypto Staking (Live)

Curious about staking crypto and trying to find the highest staking rewards (without getting fooled by promo APY)? This page is built for one job: help you find the best staking rewards and the highest APY crypto staking options, while keeping the trade-offs clear. APY is only one input — the real game is: how you earn the yield, what terms apply, and what risks you’re taking.

How I Think About “Highest APY” (simple framework)

In practice, staking sits on a spectrum: on-chain liquid staking (you keep custody, smart contract risk) vs CEX staking (convenience, but you hand over custody). I use both — and I treat them differently, especially when chasing “highest APY”.

Quick interpretation
APY isn’t ROI
If you take only one thing from this page: a “highest APY” number can be real, temporary, or misleading. When I test staking flows, I start small (coffee-money), confirm the exact token I’ll receive (e.g., stETH-type receipt token), and only then scale up. That’s how you avoid paying tuition fees to the market.
Best rewards shortlists Promo APYs flagged Unstaking mechanics De-peg risk covered
What you’ll find hereHighest APY (DEX + CEX)
How tables should be usedShortlist + verify terms
What I won’t doSell “guaranteed” yield
ImportantAlways verify conditions
AudienceBeginners → advanced
Bias checkUnbiased / non-sponsored

Best Staking Rewards Right Now (Quick Picks)

If you searched best staking rewards, you probably want a shortlist — not 500 rows. Below is the exact way I use this page: I create quick picks based on reward + structure (custody, exit path, and risk), then I validate the terms using the live tables further down.

How I define “best staking rewards”

“Best” is not “highest number”. For me, best staking rewards means: the strongest combination of (1) competitive yield, (2) transparent terms, (3) realistic exit mechanics, and (4) acceptable risk for the product type (DeFi vs CEX).

Quick warning:

If a staking offer is showing an unusually high APY, the default assumption should be: incentives / promo / caps / limited time. Use it as a lead, then confirm the conditions before committing meaningful size.

Quick Picks (use as a shortlist, then verify below)

I keep these categories separate because they are different products: liquid staking (self-custody + smart contract risk) vs exchange staking (custodial + convenience). “Best” depends on what trade you’re making.

How to use this shortlist in 60 seconds

1) Decide route: Liquid staking or CEX staking.
2) Find the matching row in the relevant table.
3) Verify: base vs incentives, lock-ups/queues, and what token you actually receive.
4) If you’re unsure, follow the step-by-step staking walkthrough.

Highest APY Crypto Staking | Liquid Staking APY (DeFi, Live)

The table below shows live liquid staking APY data (DeFi / on-chain). It updates automatically (on a rolling basis). You can sort columns by clicking the headers — I usually sort by Max APY first to surface candidates for the highest staking rewards, then sanity-check those candidates by looking at the protocol and the receipt token you actually receive.

How to use this table to find the highest staking rewards

If your intent is “highest staking rewards right now“, treat the table as a shortlist generator: sort by Max APY, then verify (1) base yield vs incentives, (2) the receipt token you receive, (3) exit path (instant liquidity vs redemption queue), and (4) the real risks (contract/slashing/de-peg). That’s how “best staking rewards” stays real and not marketing.

Important (beginner mistake I see all the time):

“Max APY” is often a snapshot — sometimes boosted by incentives, sometimes sensitive to TVL changes, and sometimes based on how rewards are measured (base yield vs incentives vs both). Treat it as a lead, not a promise.

Liquid Staking Pools Viewer
Decision-first view of live DeFi yields. Always verify rates on the provider before allocating capital.
Last updated:
Risk warning: High APYs often indicate higher risk (smart contract risk, impermanent loss, de-peg risk, and short-lived incentives).
Highest APY
682.50%
USDC-ETH pool
Average (max) APY
15.19%
Across all pools
Pools shown
479
of 479
AssetRiskMax APY Avg APY merklmorpho-v1aave-v3curve-dexuniswap-v3pendleraydium-ammuniswap-v4convex-financefluid-lendingcompound-v3wildcat-protocolfluid-dexyearn-financekamino-lendsparklendvenus-core-poolondo-yield-assetsuniswap-v2orca-dex
USDC-ETH
Very High682.50%682.50%
682.50%
TVL $6.7M
WETH-USDC
Very High439.81%439.81%
439.81%
TVL $48.1M
USDC
Very High423.69%3.52%
5.44%
TVL $13.9M
3.91%
TVL $46.6M
3.14%
TVL $297.9M
2.67%
TVL $99.8M
423.69%
TVL $8.6M
3.92%
TVL $16.9M
2.59%
TVL $15.3M
2.05%
TVL $15.9M
WETH-USDT
Very High366.26%212.66%
366.26%
TVL $60.6M
59.06%
TVL $14.6M
WETH-CBBTC
Very High364.77%364.77%
364.77%
TVL $8.4M
AAVE-WETH
Very High338.34%338.34%
338.34%
TVL $12.7M
WSOL-USD1
Very High333.52%333.52%
333.52%
TVL $13.9M
USDC-WETH
Very High256.98%72.84%
256.98%
TVL $69.7M
0.00%
TVL $5.2M
72.84%
TVL $18.4M
SOL-USDC
Very High235.22%235.22%
235.22%
TVL $25.1M
SOL-WHETH
Very High189.24%189.24%
189.24%
TVL $6.8M
USDC-MAG7.SSI
Very High177.80%177.80%
177.80%
TVL $6.1M
BTCB-WBNB
Very High150.06%150.06%
150.06%
TVL $6.9M
SOL-CBBTC
Very High144.36%144.36%
144.36%
TVL $6.3M
WBTC-USDT
Very High138.06%91.80%
138.06%
TVL $5.7M
45.53%
TVL $8.4M
WBTC-WETH
Very High124.45%67.89%
124.45%
TVL $24.6M
11.33%
TVL $8.3M
WSOL-PIPPIN
Very High123.99%123.99%
123.99%
TVL $8.4M
USDC-CBBTC
Very High116.13%116.13%
116.13%
TVL $7.5M
ETH-LINK
Very High87.10%87.10%
87.10%
TVL $22.2M
WSOL-USDC
Very High79.48%79.48%
79.48%
TVL $9.9M
DAI-WETH
Very High75.71%75.71%
75.71%
TVL $10.4M
WBTC-USDC
Very High71.04%68.24%
71.04%
TVL $32.0M
65.44%
TVL $5.3M
XAUT-USDT
Very High70.20%70.20%
70.20%
TVL $5.5M
LINK-WETH
Very High70.09%70.09%
70.09%
TVL $20.6M
USP
Very High59.26%59.26%
59.26%
TVL $6.1M
CRVUSD-WETH
Very High51.04%51.04%
51.04%
TVL $43.6M
MSETH-WETH
Very High50.19%50.19%
50.19%
TVL $11.7M
50.19%
TVL $8.8M
WBTC-XAUT
High47.75%47.75%
47.75%
TVL $5.4M
ZORA-USDC
High43.08%43.08%
43.08%
TVL $5.4M
EUROC-USDC
High41.86%41.86%
41.86%
TVL $5.8M
ETH-USDC
High39.62%39.62%
39.62%
TVL $24.2M
Max APY is the highest provider yield for each asset; Avg APY is the median across providers. Values are indicative and may change quickly.

⚠️ Table disclaimer: data is updated periodically and is indicative only. Terms can change without notice. Always verify on the protocol/exchange before acting.

How to Read These APY Tables (so you don’t get fooled)

I’m going to say this bluntly: most staking mistakes happen because people compare numbers and ignore structure. Two “10% APYs” can be completely different trades — even if both claim “best staking rewards”.

  • Base yield vs incentives: A pool can look amazing because of token incentives that may end next week.
  • Receipt token matters: Liquid staking usually gives you a token (e.g., stETH-style) that can trade above/below peg.
  • Liquidity + exit: Some protocols let you exit instantly via DEX liquidity; others rely on queue-based redemption.
  • Real return vs dilution: On PoS networks, nominal rewards can be offset by supply expansion (dilution).
Practical way I use this page

I treat the live tables as a “shortlist generator”. Then I do a quick 5-minute check: (1) what token do I receive, (2) how do I exit, (3) what are the major risks (contract/slashing/de-peg), (4) are rewards auto-compounding or paid separately.

Best Staking Rewards on Exchanges | CEX Staking APYs

Centralised exchanges can be the easiest on-ramp for beginners: simple UI, clear buttons, and no wallet setup. The trade-off is custody — you’re trusting the exchange with your assets and relying on their terms for liquidity and withdrawals. If you’re chasing the highest staking rewards on a CEX, pay extra attention to caps, lock-ups, and promo conditions.

Reality check:

Some “staking APY” on exchanges is a blend of true staking + internal incentives. That’s not automatically bad — just understand what you’re signing up to. If you can’t explain where the yield comes from in one sentence, pause and dig deeper.

Cryptocurrency
White Paper
Max APY
Binance
Simple Earn
Start Earning

Binance
Adv Earn
Start Earning

Coinbase
Staking
Start Earning

Kraken
Flexible
Start Earning

Kraken
Bonded
Start Earning

Ascendex
Staking
Start Earning

Nexo
Savings
Start Earning

Youhodler
Savings
Start Earning

Bitrue
Staking
Start Earning

Huobi
Staking
Start Earning

Huobi
Earn
Start Earning

Bitfinex
Staking
Start Earning

1M BABYDOGE - 1MBABYDOGE1.03%
1.03%
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-
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-
Aave - AAVE
7.00%
0.07%
-
4.63%
-
-
3.67%
4%
7.00%
-
-
-
-
AcalaToken - ACA
26.60%
2.30% - 26.60%
-
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-
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Akash - AKT
10.48%
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-
10.48%
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-
1.39%
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-
-
-
-
Algorand - ALGO
5.50%
0.10% - 5.50%
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-
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-
-
-
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-
AltLayer - ALT
8.90%
0.78% - 8.90%
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-
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-
-
-
-
-
Ankr - ANKR
1.70%
1.00% - 1.70%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ApeCoin - APE6.00%
1.00% - 5.00%
-
-
-
-
1.01%
-
-
-
6.00%
-
-
API3 - API3
24.50%
1.30%
-
24.50%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Aptos - APT
7.00%
0.41% - 5.60%
-
7.00%
-
-
1.01%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Arbitrum - ARB
6.00%
0.04%
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-
-
-
-
6%
-
-
-
-
-
Audius - AUDIO
18.59%
2.94%
-
18.59%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Avalanche - AVAX
136.74%
0.23% - 5.00%
3.66% - 136.74%
4.47%
-
-
4.69%
-
-
-
6.30%
3.20% - 5.50%
-
Axelar - AXL4.59%
1.61% - 4.59%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
AxieInfinity - AXS
46.05%
0.86% - 11.60%
-
46.05%
-
-
16.18%
20%
-
-
-
7.30% - 20.50%
-
Babylon - BABY
19.92%
8.00% - 12.00%
-
19.92%
-
-
-
-
-
0.00%
-
-
-
BandProtocol - BAND
15.12%
0.87% - 14.40%
-
15.12%
-
-
1.69%
-
-
-
-
-
-
BasicAttentionToken - BAT
1.41%
1.41%
-
-
-
-
1.01%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Binance Staked SOL - BNSOL68.52%
0.00%
3.67% - 68.52%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
BinanceCoin - BNB
62.36%
0.15% - 0.32%
3.67% - 62.36%
2.11%
-
-
0.88%
8%
7.00%
-
-
-
-
BitcoinCash - BCH46.67%
1.40%
3.66% - 46.67%
-
-
-
1.01%
-
9.00%
-
-
-
-
Bonfida - FIDA4.08%
1.00%
-
-
-
-
4.08%
-
-
-
-
-
-
BTTC5.46%
0.83% - 5.46%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Cardano - ADA
65.16%
0.06% - 2.10%
3.78% - 65.16%
1.61%
1 - 6%
2 - 6%
2.11%
8%
7.00%
-
3.00%
1.40% - 4.00%
4.50%
Casper - CSPR
15.11%
-
-
15.11%
-
-
6.66%
-
-
-
2.66%
-
-
CBETH2.86%
-
-
2.86%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
CCD13.00%
-
-
-
-
-
13.00%
-
-
-
-
-
-
CelerNetwork - CELR
4.01%
0.80% - 4.01%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Celestia - TIA11.31%
0.70% - 8.00%
-
11.31%
3 - 6%
8 - 11%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
CertiK - CTK23.40%
3.58% - 23.40%
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-
Chromia - CHR
2.40%
1.00% - 2.40%
-
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-
Clearpool - CPOOL5.13%
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-
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-
5.13%
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-
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-
-
Cosmos - ATOM
22.00%
0.82% - 10.50%
-
14.96%
7 - 11%
16 - 22%
5.15%
-
-
-
15.00%
14.00% - 16.00%
1.50% - 3.00%
Crypto.com - CRO
4.60%
-
-
-
-
-
4.60%
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-
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-
CurveDAO - CRV
6.13%
0.50%
-
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-
-
6.13%
-
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-
-
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-
DC10.52%
-
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-
-
-
10.52%
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-
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-
Decentraland - MANA
1.01%
0.28%
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-
-
-
1.01%
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-
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-
DecentralizedUSD - USDD
8.33%
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-
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-
8.33%
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-
5.00%
-
Dogecoin - DOGE
126.46%
0.11%
3.66% - 126.46%
-
-
-
1.00%
3%
7.00%
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-
1.00% - 100.00%
-
Dogs - DOGS90.71%
0.51%
3.68% - 90.71%
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DTC49.15%
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-
49.15%
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dYdX - DYDX
2.19%
0.04% - 2.19%
-
0.01%
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DYM5.00%
2.11% - 3.88%
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1 - 3%
2 - 5%
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ECOMI - OMI
0.50%
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-
0.50%
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Elrond - EGLD
6.28%
0.74% - 3.10%
-
6.28%
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-
5.32%
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EnjinCoin - ENJ
1.14%
1.14%
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-
1.01%
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EthereumClassic - ETC1.01%
0.07%
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-
1.01%
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FaithTribe - FTRB
13.88%
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-
13.88%
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FDUSD11.69%
10.52% - 11.69%
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Fetch.ai - FET
5.90%
0.18% - 5.90%
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Filecoin - FIL
11.07%
1.52% - 2.70%
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11.07%
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-
1.01%
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Flow - FLOW
14.00%
0.19% - 7.90%
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-
4 - 9%
10 - 14%
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-
FraxShare - FXS
2.10%
1.42%
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-
2.10%
-
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-
-
Geeq - GEEQ
10.00%
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-
-
-
10.00%
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-
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-
GMX - GMX
5.90%
1.41% - 5.90%
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-
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-
-
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-
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-
Gnosis - GNO
9.55%
5.49%
-
9.55%
-
-
5.93%
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-
-
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-
-
Harmony - ONE
7.70%
0.16% - 6.00%
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-
7.70%
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-
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-
InternetComputer - ICP
4.90%
0.03% - 4.90%
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
IoTex - IOTX
2.50%
0.67% - 2.50%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Kava - KAVA
10.00%
2.60% - 7.10%
-
9.39%
2 - 5%
7 - 10%
1.70%
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-
-
-
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-
Kin - KIN
5.13%
-
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-
5.13%
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-
KiraNetwork - KEX
5.13%
-
-
-
-
-
5.13%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Kusama - KSM19.00%
1.56% - 10.90%
-
13.04%
6 - 10%
12 - 19%
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.00%
Litecoin - LTC77.24%
0.25%
3.65% - 77.24%
-
-
-
1.00%
-
15.00%
-
-
-
-
Livepeer - LPT
18.90%
0.78% - 18.90%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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-
LooksRare - LOOKS12.75%
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-
-
-
-
12.75%
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-
-
-
-
-
LTONetwork - LTO
3.68%
-
-
-
-
-
3.68%
-
-
-
-
-
-
MAGA (magamemecoin.com) - TRUMP86.03%
0.64%
3.65% - 86.03%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
MANTRADAO - OM
17.62%
1.25% - 10.16%
-
17.62%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Maple - MPL
2.24%
-
-
-
-
-
2.24%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Mina - MINA
11.00%
0.98% - 5.50%
-
-
6 - 11%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
MMSS22.13%
-
-
-
-
-
22.13%
-
-
-
-
-
-
MogulProductions - STARS
1.01%
-
-
-
-
-
1.01%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Moonbeam - GLMR
9.90%
0.28% - 7.10%
-
9.90%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Moonriver - MOVR
2.90%
0.91% - 2.90%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
NEARProtocol - NEAR
103.93%
0.27% - 4.90%
3.66% - 103.93%
9.54%
-
-
3.82%
-
-
-
4.82%
3.00% - 12.50%
-
NexoToken - NEXO12.00%
3.92%
-
-
-
-
-
12%
-
-
-
-
-
NIM10.39%
-
-
-
-
-
10.39%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Notcoin - NOT86.59%
0.34%
3.75% - 86.59%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
OLJEFE2029.68%
-
-
-
-
-
29.68%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ontology - ONT
17.76%
1.52% - 13.50%
-
17.76%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
osmosis - OSMO
12.75%
2.78%
-
1.55%
-
-
12.75%
6%
-
-
-
-
-
PancakeSwap - CAKE
11.67%
0.02% - 0.12%
-
11.67%
-
-
0.06%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Persistence - XPRT
10.06%
-
-
-
-
-
10.06%
-
-
-
8.00%
-
-
Polkadex - PDEX
1.86%
-
-
-
-
-
1.86%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Polkadot - DOT
223.32%
0.80% - 5.80%
3.65% - 88.81%
9.44%
4 - 8%
10 - 16%
-
15%
-
-
-
3.50% - 223.32%
6.50%
Polkalokr - LKR
16.18%
-
-
-
-
-
16.18%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Polygon - MATIC
6.00%
-
-
1.90%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1.80% - 5.50%
4.50% - 6.00%
Polygon Ecosystem Token - POL
64.54%
0.20% - 2.24%
3.72% - 64.54%
-
1 - 3%
2 - 5%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Polymesh - POLYX
12.13%
1.31% - 12.13%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
QuickSwap - QUICK
22.13%
2.23%
-
-
-
-
22.13%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Radiant - RDNT
1.24%
1.24%
-
-
-
-
1.01%
-
-
-
-
-
-
RETH2.36%
-
-
2.36%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
RocketPool - RPL
6.84%
1.32%
-
6.84%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ronin - RONIN8.90%
1.38% - 8.90%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
RSETH2.66%
-
-
2.66%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Secret - SCRT
21.19%
0.73%
-
21.19%
7 - 11%
14 - 20%
-
-
-
-
0.50%
-
-
Sei - SEI7.00%
1.80% - 3.49%
-
6.26%
1 - 3%
4 - 7%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sentinel - DVPN
25.57%
-
-
-
-
-
25.57%
-
-
-
-
-
-
SIGN29.90%
17.16% - 29.90%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
SKALENetwork - SKL
11.21%
4.37%
-
11.21%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Solana - SOL
338.86%
1.80% - 5.10%
3.66% - 123.96%
4.63%
2 - 5%
5 - 9%
2.02%
8%
-
-
4.75%
3.13% - 338.86%
2.00%
Sonic - S
53.80%
0.98% - 3.50%
3.66% - 53.80%
-
-
-
-
7%
-
-
-
-
-
Stellar - XLM
9.00%
0.99%
-
-
-
-
1.01%
-
9.00%
-
-
-
-
SushiSwap - SUSHI10.00%
0.47%
-
4.68%
-
-
3.31%
-
10.00%
-
-
-
-
SWEAT5.13%
-
-
-
-
-
5.13%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sypool - SYP9.42%
-
-
-
-
-
9.42%
-
-
-
-
-
-
TAO14.96%
0.15%
-
14.96%
1 - 3%
4 - 7%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ternoa - CAPS
3.75%
-
-
-
-
-
3.75%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Tezos - XTZ
12.00%
1.20% - 2.30%
-
-
1 - 6%
5 - 12%
5.46%
-
-
-
-
1.50% - 4.30%
4.50%
TheGraph - GRT
14.00%
0.04% - 6.20%
-
-
5 - 9%
10 - 14%
1.89%
5%
-
-
-
-
-
THORChain - RUNE
1.14%
1.14%
-
-
-
-
1.01%
-
-
-
-
-
-
TON21.68%
0.43% - 3.60%
3.67% - 21.68%
-
-
-
-
3%
-
-
-
-
-
Traxx - TRAXX
10.52%
-
-
-
-
-
10.52%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Tron - TRX
100.00%
1.89% - 5.00%
-
-
1 - 3%
2 - 5%
3.32%
-
7.00%
-
3.36%
3.36% - 100.00%
6.50%
TRRUE56.79%
-
-
-
-
-
56.79%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Turbo - TURBO1.77%
1.77%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
UmbrellaNetwork - UMB
5.50%
-
-
-
-
-
5.50%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Uniswap - UNI
9.00%
0.02%
-
-
-
-
1.00%
-
9.00%
-
-
-
-
USD2.02%
-
-
-
-
-
2.02%
-
-
-
-
-
-
VOLT64.82%
-
-
-
-
-
64.82%
-
-
-
-
-
-
VSG64.82%
-
-
-
-
-
64.82%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Wrapped Beacon ETH - WBETH74.66%
0.00%
3.67% - 74.66%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Wrapped Bitcoin - WBTC7.00%
-
-
-
-
-
-
7%
-
-
-
-
-
Zilliqa - ZIL
10.15%
0.85% - 2.70%
-
-
-
-
10.15%
-
-
-
8.60%
-
-
Vechain - VET
3.00%
0.60% - 1.00%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3.00%
-
-
-
Sui - SUI
100.73%
0.09% - 1.60%
3.75% - 100.73%
2.11%
1 - 3%
2 - 5%
-
-
-
4.00%
-
-
-
Chainlink - LINK
9.00%
0.02%
-
-
-
-
-
7%
9.00%
5.00%
3.00%
-
-
HederaHashGraph - HBAR
5.00%
0.16%
-
0.02%
-
-
-
-
-
5.00%
-
-
-
Maple Finance - SYRUP
10.00%
1.50% - 2.60%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10.00%
-
-
-
Ondo Finance - ONDO10.00%
0.32%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10.00%
-
-
-
PLUME10.00%
1.21%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10.00%
-
-
-
InjectiveProtocol - INJ
14.99%
1.19% - 12.50%
-
12.93%
4 - 7%
11 - 14%
-
9%
-
14.99%
-
-
-
Ripple - XRP
100.00%
0.31%
3.66% - 67.93%
-
-
-
2.02%
12%
8.00%
19.99%
-
1.00% - 100.00%
-
Ethereum - ETH267.87%
1.41%
3.65% - 136.76%
1.87%
1 - 3%
2.25 - 6.5%
6.18%
8%
7.00%
20.01%
2.00% - 4.50%
3.21% - 267.87%
3.00%
Bitcoin - BTC
106.66%
0.25%
3.65% - 61.57%
0.00%
-
-
5.13%
7%
7.00%
20.07%
1.60% - 4.00%
1.50% - 106.66%
-
XinFinNetwork - XDC
25.00%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
25.00%
-
-
-
BONK50.00%
0.48%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
50.00%
-
-
-
CFG80.00%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
80.00%
-
-
-
CTC80.00%
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
80.00%
-
-
-
Tether - USDT
101.06%
4.20% - 12.46%
-
-
-
-
10.52%
-
12.00%
80.00%
0.10% - 7.00%
3.12% - 101.06%
-
USDCoin - USDC
370.51%
4.20% - 7.46%
-
-
-
-
-
14%
12.00%
80.00%
0.10% - 7.00%
10.00% - 370.51%
-
Read my eToro staking guide

If you’re using eToro, I wrote a practical walkthrough here (screens + steps): https://coinmarketexpert.com/guides/etoro-staking/

How to Stake Crypto: Step-by-Step (Liquid Staking vs CEX Staking)

This section is deliberately beginner-friendly. Assume you’ve never staked before and just want a clean, safe path to follow. I’ll show you how to do it in the real world, using the tables above as your starting point.

Part 1: Liquid Staking (DEX / On-Chain)

Liquid staking is staking that happens on-chain via a protocol. Instead of locking your asset and getting nothing back, you typically receive a liquid staking token (a receipt token) that represents your staked position. That receipt token can often be held, used as collateral, or traded — depending on the protocol.

Plain English version

You deposit token A (e.g., ETH) into a liquid staking protocol. In return, you receive token B (e.g., a staked/receipt token). Rewards accrue to your position over time. Your “APY” is the protocol’s estimate of annualised return based on current conditions.

Step 0 — Decide what you’re actually trying to do

  • If you want maximum simplicity: CEX staking is often easier (but custodial).
  • If you want self-custody: liquid staking is the usual route (but smart contract risk exists).
  • If you might need to exit fast: pay attention to redemption/unstaking rules and liquidity.

Step 1 — Choose a protocol from the table above

Start with the Liquid Staking Yields table above. Pick a pool/protocol you understand at a high level: chain (ETH/SOL/etc), the token you deposit, and what receipt token you get back. If you can’t quickly identify the receipt token, don’t stake yet.

Step 2 — Set up a wallet (MetaMask example)

  • Install MetaMask (browser extension) and create a new wallet.
  • Write down your seed phrase offline. Never store it in email, notes, screenshots, or cloud storage.
  • Add a small amount of the chain’s native token for gas (e.g., ETH for Ethereum). Without gas you can’t transact.
Common beginner pitfall:

People buy the right token but on the wrong network (or send it to the wrong chain). Always confirm chain + token + address format before sending anything.

Step 3 — Connect your wallet to the protocol

On the protocol’s site, you’ll see a Connect Wallet button. Click it, choose MetaMask, and approve the connection. This does not give the protocol control of your funds by itself — it just lets the site read your address and propose transactions.

Step 4 — Select the staking pool / product

Choose the specific pool shown in the table (or the closest matching option). Pay attention to:

  • What you deposit: ETH, stables, LP tokens, etc.
  • What you receive: the liquid staking token (receipt token).
  • Fees: protocol fee, validator fee, withdrawal fee, or DEX swap fee if you exit via trading.
  • Unstaking / redemption: instant, delayed, or queued.

Step 5 — Deposit tokens (and approve spending)

The first time you deposit a token, you’ll usually approve the contract to spend it. This is a separate transaction. After approval, you’ll submit the actual deposit/stake transaction.

My habit: I always deposit a small test amount first. If everything looks right (receipt token received, balance visible, no weird prompts), only then do I scale up. This single habit eliminates a lot of expensive mistakes.

Step 8 — Unstaking / redemption (how you get back to the original asset)

You generally have two exit paths:

  • Redeem/unstake via the protocol: you burn the receipt token and receive the underlying asset back (sometimes after a waiting period/queue).
  • Sell via liquidity: you swap the receipt token on a DEX for the underlying asset (faster, but you can get slippage and de-peg risk).
Light risk notes (don’t skip):

Liquid staking introduces (1) smart contract risk (code bugs), (2) slashing risk (validator penalties in some networks), and (3) de-peg risk (receipt token can trade below the underlying during stress). None of these are theoretical — they’re the cost of yield.

Part 2: CEX Staking (Example: Binance)

CEX staking is staking through a centralised exchange. It’s usually the simplest user experience: the exchange handles validators, tooling, and (often) the messy parts of staking. The trade-off is custody: the exchange holds your assets.

Step 1 — Log into Binance

  • Log in and ensure security is enabled (2FA, anti-phishing code, withdrawal whitelists if available).
  • Make sure the asset you want to stake is in your Spot wallet (or moved to the relevant Earn wallet).

Step 2 — Navigate to Earn / Staking

  • From the top menu, go to Earn.
  • Find Staking / Simple Earn / relevant Earn product section depending on what Binance is offering at the time.

Step 3 — Choose a staking product (Flexible vs Locked)

  • Flexible: typically easier to exit, often lower yield.
  • Locked: you choose a duration; yield may be higher, but your exit is restricted until the term ends (or there are penalties/limitations).

Step 4 — Select duration and confirm staking

  • Choose the amount and duration (if locked).
  • Review terms: reward rate, payout frequency, early redemption rules, and any caps or promotional conditions.
  • Confirm. Your funds move into the Earn product.
My honest beginner recommendation

If you’re brand new: start with a reputable CEX product using a small amount, learn the mechanics, then graduate to liquid staking once you’re comfortable with wallets, gas, and on-chain transactions.

Risks of Crypto Staking (what can go wrong)

Staking is not risk-free. It’s a risk trade: you take on specific risks in exchange for yield. Here are the big ones (with plain-English explanations):

Loss of your cryptocurrency holdings (security failures)

Loss can happen through negligence, scams, hacks, or giving access to your private keys. Never share your seed phrase or private keys. Keep an offline backup. Use strong unique passwords. Hardware wallets (e.g., Ledger) are worth it if you hold meaningful size.

Price volatility (and lock-up periods)

Lock-ups make volatility more painful. If the token price dumps while you’re locked, your staking rewards often won’t offset the price move. Staking is generally better suited to long-term holders than active traders.

Changing rewards / promotional APYs ending

Staking APYs change. Incentives end. Participation rates shift. Always read the fine print and expect variability.

Project failure and counterparty risk

A protocol can fail. An exchange can freeze withdrawals. A token can lose relevance. Don’t choose a project purely because it has the highest APY. Choose projects with real usage, strong security, and a real community.

Slashing

Some PoS networks penalise validator misbehaviour (or downtime). Depending on how you stake, those penalties can flow through to delegators. This is why “who is validating” and “how the protocol handles penalties” matters.

Network centralisation

Staking can concentrate power if too much stake accumulates with a few validators/exchanges. From a system perspective, centralisation risk matters. From a user perspective, it can also show up as correlated failure risk.

Responsible risk notice

Crypto staking can amplify risk if you chase yield blindly. Only stake amounts you can afford to lose, and only after you understand custody, exit mechanics, and downside scenarios.

So, what is crypto staking all about anyway?

Crypto staking is often marketed as “passive income on idle crypto”. That’s the surface-level story. Under the bonnet, staking is a governance and security mechanism that helps validate Proof-of-Stake (PoS) transactions and keeps networks honest.

Background: Proof of Work vs Proof of Stake

Proof of Work (PoW) uses mining and significant computation (energy intensive). Proof of Stake (PoS) uses locked capital and validator selection mechanisms (more energy efficient, different risk model). Ethereum’s transition to PoS is a good example of why PoS became dominant.

Advantages of Proof-of-Stake

  • No expensive mining hardware requirements
  • More energy efficient than PoW
  • Better scalability in many designs
  • Rewards for participation (but remember: APY ≠ guaranteed profit)

Key Takeaways

  1. Security first: protect keys, avoid scams, use small test transactions before scaling.
  2. Choose projects carefully: don’t buy yield; buy fundamentals + security + real usage.
  3. Diversify intelligently: reduce single-point failure risk, but don’t over-diversify into junk.
  4. Understand terms: lock-up, redemption, fees, reward variability, eligibility restrictions.
  5. Compare APY properly: base vs incentives, receipt token mechanics, and exit liquidity matter.

FAQ

Is crypto staking risk-free?

No. Staking does not protect you from token price volatility, lock-up restrictions, smart contract risk (DeFi), or counterparty risk (CEX). It’s a risk trade in exchange for yield.

What’s the difference between APR and APY?

APR is a simple annualised rate (typically not assuming compounding). APY includes the effect of compounding. The more frequently rewards compound, the higher APY can be (all else equal).

Why does staking APY change?

APY can change due to validator performance, total participation in the pool, protocol incentives starting/ending, and overall network conditions. It’s normal for rates to move.

Liquid staking vs exchange staking — which is better?

Neither is “best” universally. Liquid staking offers self-custody and often more flexibility but adds smart contract and de-peg risks. Exchange staking is simpler but comes with custodial (counterparty) risk and term restrictions.

What are the safest “best staking rewards” options for beginners?

Beginners usually do best with reputable, simple products and small sizing: start with a well-known exchange staking/earn product (understanding custody risk), then graduate to liquid staking once you’re comfortable with wallets, gas fees, and on-chain transactions.

What does “adjusted reward” mean in staking tables?

Adjusted reward typically accounts for supply expansion (dilution). A token can have a high nominal staking reward but still deliver a poor real return if the supply is expanding quickly.

How do I know if a “highest APY” offer is promotional?

Look for caps, limited quota, lock-up requirements, new-user conditions, “up to” language, or bonus incentives paid in a separate token. If the APY is far above comparable offers, assume there are conditions and verify them before staking.

About & Disclosures

This page is written and maintained by Anthony Grech (Founder, CoinMarketExpert). I’m focused on practical crypto research: I care about what users can actually do, how the yield is earned, and what the realistic failure modes are.

Disclaimer

All content on CoinMarketExpert is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or tax advice. Cryptocurrencies carry substantial risk and are not suitable for everyone. No representation or warranty is given as to accuracy or completeness. Any person acting on this information does so entirely at their own risk.

Funding / disclosures

CoinMarketExpert may earn commissions from some partners (for example via affiliate links on certain pages). This does not change how I write, what I include, or how I frame risk. I do not sell “rankings”.

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