RANKINGS 
July 31, 2024 
34 min. 
In the financial market, cryptocurrency has introduced new methods of making money. Crypto offers various ways of earning wealth to crypto enthusiasts, including mining, trading, crypto staking, and more.
According to CoinMarketCap, the worldwide market capitalization of cryptocurrency is around 2.33 trillion USD. This amazing number reflects the lucrative benefits of crypto. Unlike trading cryptocurrency, crypto staking does not involve high risks of financial loss.
We will cover various aspects related to staking cryptocurrency, including:
- What staking crypto is
- Top crypto staking platforms with maximum returns
- Strategies to get started and earn high passive income
Continue reading to explore the research-driven information about staking cryptocurrency and the top ten staking platforms. It will help you pick the platform with a higher Annual Percentage Yield (APY).
Best Crypto Staking Platforms
Before we dive deeper into the details of crypto staking, here are some trusted staking platforms in the table with unique features and a link to start staking cryptocurrency.
| Exchange Name | Unique Feature | Call to Action |
| Binance | 14 projects with both flexible and fixed lock-up periods | Join Binance |
| Coinbase | Best US friendly staking platform for ETH, Cardano, Tezos, etc. | Stake crypto on Coinbase |
| Kraken | Best regulatory compliance with flexible lock-up period | Start with Kraken |
| KuCoin | Support over 50 projects with 15 to 25% APY | Stake on KuCoin |
| Crypto.com | Beginner-friendly with lower staking fees | Join Crypto.com |
| Bitfinex | soft-staking program for multiple crypto coins | Start with Bitfinex |
| OKX | Best choice for beginners and advanced crypto stakers | Stake on OKX |
| Lido | Matchless security protocols for ETH and MATIC staking | Join Lido |
| Bitstamp | Well-established crypto staking platform for Ether, Cardano and Algorand | Get started with Bitstamp |
| Poloniex | Distinguished Polo Earn program with APY up to 100% | Join Poloniex |
In-Depth Reviews of the Top Crypto Staking Exchanges for 2024
With multiple platforms and staking methods, it is easy to stake crypto assets. However, the extended options can cause confusion when deciding on the platform as well.
In this article, we will cover crypto staking on crypto exchanges. We have already made a comparison of crypto staking exchanges in the table above. Here is a detailed overview of each crypto exchange to start staking your crypto.
1. Binance
As the leading high-volume crypto exchange worldwide, Binance offers crypto staking with enhanced security protocols and rewards. It supports up to 14 projects with both flexible and fixed lockup periods.
You can read our dedicated guide about Binance trading by clicking here.
The best thing about Binance is its staking crypto guide, allowing newcomers to understand everything about staking. Moreover, the payout frequency varies according to the tokens’ staking terms. The platform service fees range from 25 to 35%.
Binance is home ot various top projects that pay significant rewards to stakers. The best crypto staking rewards can help you earn up to $2,000. According to Binance, Polkadot is an excellent crypto token for staking with an estimated annual return of 14%.
2. Coinbase
Cionbase comes at the top of the chart when choosing a platform for staking. It is one of the US friendly staking platforms that allow on-chain and off-chain staking of Ethereum, Cardano, Tezos, etc.
It is one of a few staking exchanges that ensure robust security and heavy regularity. The user experience is beginner-friendly with adequate accessibility features. However, the staking rewards are not up to the mark, making it less profitable for crypto stakers.
In addition to this, Coinbase does not lock your crypto assets for a long time. You are free to withdraw your funds whenever you want. Some projects may have lockup periods, but the ownership belongs to you.
3. Kraken
Kraken is another top notch crypto exchange with a centralized nature. The matchless security of Kraken is the result of its registration with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and Money Service Business in the US.
The benefits of staking crypto on Kraken are extensive. For instance, Kraken offers competitive returns and a payout frequency of twice per week. Rewards range from 1 to 21% APY on supported tokens, such as ADA, ATOM, XTZ, etc.
Kraken is a suitable staking platform for advanced traders due to enhanced customization of the platform. In addition, the lockup period of staking is flexible for Kraken staking users. Kraken sets stakers free from transaction fees but charges a specific commission on rewards.
4. KuCoin
Among crypto exchanges, KuCoin is one of the best staking exchanges with versatile digital assets for staking. It allows you to stake over 50 projects through KuCoin Earn. This diversifies your portfolio and helps you earn significantly.
KuCoin follows strict and advanced encryption, safeguarding staked projects with secure storage. Moreover, it stands out with the best user interface for novice traders and investors.
Among the supported tokens, HYDRA, APE, DOT, ATOM, SOL, MATIC, etc., are some of the top coins with lucrative benefits. Depending on digital tokens, rewards and APY may vary from 15% to 25%.
5. Crypto.com
Crypto.com serves as a one-stop shop solution for crypto services worldwide. It is a broker or mediator platform for staking. The easy crypto staking method of Crypto.com makes it an inevitable choice for crypto enthusiasts.
The beginner-friendly user interface offers stunning rewards. The weekly rewards distribution is important to consider for stakers. Crypto.com is also a one-of-a-kind platform that supports bank transfers and credit and debit cards for purchasing crypto assets.
The trading and staking fees are lower on Crypto.com ranging from 0% to 0.075%. However, the limited accessibility due to regulatory restrictions is an important drawback for Crypto.com users.
6. Bitfinex
Bitfinex is one of the top staking platforms with dedicated services for earning passive income through digital assets. The soft-staking program of Bitfinex yields rewards as high as 7% on various tokens.
The list of supported crypto tokens on Bitfinex are:
- Tron (TRX)
- EOS (EOS)
- Tezos (XTZ)
- COSMOS (ATOM)
- Solana (SOL)
- Polygon (MATIC), and more.
The annual staking rewards may vary from 1.5% to 7%. For instance, EOS can generate 1.5% passive income while ATOM can yield 7% annually.
7. OKX
OKX started offering crypto services in 2017 by Jay Hao. As a centralized exchange (CEX), OKX tops the list of secure staking exchanges in 2024. This staking platform is suitable for both novice and seasoned stakers due to its low platform fee and higher returns.
Ethereum 2.0 Staking is a dedicated service in OKX that aims to ease staking for ETH holders. OKX brings comfort to staking by eliminating the need for node validation. OKX also offers proof of reserves, ensuring the security and safety of crypto assets.
The Binance ETH token (BETH) is the reward for stakers. With OKX’s Airdrop feature, users can hold BETH for 30 days for extra rewards and perks.
8. Lido
Lido is one of the most popular options for staking cryptocurrency. Staking crypto on Lido is an example of non-custodial liquid staking. Lido is not a crypto exchange but a platform for staking built on top of the Ethereum blockchain.
You can earn rewards by staking ETH and MATIC via their derivatives. The matchless security protocols and high transparency of available digital assets for staking make Lido an inevitable choice.
However, smart contracts and technical risks of staking tokens on Lido may offer vulnerabilities. It is an open-source platform with regular security audits. Lido charges a 10% commission on staking tokens.
9. Bitstamp
Bitstamp is one of the well-established crypto staking platforms. You can leverage your crypto potential to the fullest via the Bitstamp Earn program. This staking platform allows you to stake 3 top-notch crypto projects, including Ether, Algorand and Cardano.
Ether and Cardano are available worldwide with 3.10% and 2.20% APY respectively. The APY for Algorand is around 1.60%, but its staking is not accessible to US, Canadian, Japanese, and British customers.
The best thing about staking crypto on Bitstamp is the flexible staking duration. The crypto assets are not locked for a long time. Bitstamp distributes rewards differently for all three assets. Ether’s rewards are monthly, Algorand’s quarterly, and Cardano’s weekly.
10. Poloniex
Poloniex is another effective staking platform with a versatile program, Polo Earn. This staking program aims to bring convenience to stakeholders and stability to crypto projects.
The robust security protocols and infrastructure of Poloniex promote trustworthiness and certainty in crypto staking. Polo Earn offers both flexible and fixed staking duration, diversifying the chances of earning rewards through holding your crypto assets.
Estimated APY ranges from 1% to 100% on some crypto projects under certain conditions. You can visit the official website of the Polo Earn program to explore further.
What is Crypto Staking?
Have you ever created a savings account in your conventional bank? Your bank rewards you with a fixed percentage of income per annum via the savings account. It is because you stake your funds in their bank for a year, generating wealth for you.
Understanding crypto staking is easy as it is no different than the conventional savings procedure. In cryptocurrency, various consensus methods exist, such as Proof-of-Work (PoW), Proof-of-Stake (PoS), etc. PoW algorithms favor crypto mining – the official entry of new transactions on a blockchain or the creation of new crypto coins.
On the other hand, PoS supports crypto staking – allowing investors to keep their crypto assets on the blockchain for passive yearly income.
Staking cryptocurrency is effortless. It has many types, including pool staking, liquid, cold staking, etc. The best way for beginners and starters is to pick a crypto exchange for staking. We will also highlight top crypto exchanges to earn passive income through cryptocurrency.
For more insights on how to navigate the crypto world, explore our detailed guides on:
- How to Buy Bitcoin on Different Exchanges
- Comparing Fees: Finding the Low Fee Crypto Exchange
- An Introduction to Altcoins and Where to Trade Them
- How to Buy and Sell Bitcoin Safely
- Advanced Crypto Trading Tools
- How to Trade Bitcoin: Tips and Strategies
How Does it Work?
Crypto staking enables a blockchain to get funds for its long-term survival in the volatile crypto market. The crypto staking process involves several steps, such as:
- Holding a specified crypto assets in a staking wallet,
- Locking the assets in the wallet for a dedicated time,
- Receiving rewards from the blockchain after the predetermined time.
There is a notable difference between conventional savings and staking. It is the authority given to the customer holding their assets. In crypto staking, the blockchain allows a user to become the validator in the blockchain.
For instance, when you hold a minimum of 32 Ethereum tokens (ETH) in the Ethereum blockchain, you can join the staking process. With a higher amount of ETH staked, your chances of becoming the validator of the blockchain network increase. Validators can confirm and deny new blocks of transactions on the network.
With the addition of new blocks, a new crypto token comes into existence. There is a specific percentage of rewards (APY) for people who stake their crypto assets. The reward varies depending on staked assets and staking platforms.
Benefits of Crypto Staking
- Lower Entry Barrier: Crypto trading and mining are extremely technical areas in the crypto market. You must ace cryptocurrency, knowing every relevant skill to trade and mine crypto. Staking cryptocurrency is beginner-friendly and effortless with a lower entry barrier. Anyone with fundamental knowledge of the market can start it.
- Passive Income Stream: Crypto staking for beginners is the best low-risk method to earn passive wealth from cryptocurrency. By keeping your extra capital with a blockchain, you not only earn exclusive rewards but also support the crypto platform to get an edge in the market.
- Environment-Friendly Operation: Since you can stake your crypto assets on blockchains that work on PoS consensus, you will support nature as well. PoS algorithms are environment-friendly as they consume less energy than PoW and other methods.
How to Stake Crypto? A Step-by-Step Guide
Crypto staking is a lucrative and profitable endeavor. If you want a crypto staking tutorial, we will take you through the complete process of staking cryptocurrency on the Binance exchange.
Here is a stepwise guide to getting started with crypto staking:
Step 1: Create Your Binance Account
If you don’t have a Binance account, you must create one. Creating a Binance account is effortless. Visit Binance’s official website to get started on the platform. After you join the platform, you can access various options, including trading, staking, and more.
On the navigation bar, you will find various options. Hover over the Earn tab and select it. You will find various staking options.
Step 2: Select Staking Option
In the Earn section, multiple staking options will be there. They are as follows:
- Locked Staking: You will hold your crypto assets for a specific duration with higher rewards.
- Flexible Staking: You can withdraw your locked crypto assets flexibly, lowering APY and returns.
- Savings: Short-term holding of crypto for lower and instant returns.
You can select any option and go ahead with crypto staking.
Step 3: Pick a Crypto Project to Stake
Binance hosts many crypto projects, including ETH, ATOM, MATIC, etc. You can start your staking journey by considering a few factors. That includes:
- Annual Percentage Yield (APY) or returns
- Lock-in period
- Risk management, etc.
After you have selected your favorite crypto token to stake, you will need to click on the “Stake Now” button and roll in.
Step 4: Analyze and Monitor the Staking Process
Last but not least, make sure to monitor your staking performance. Since staking enables you to validate a blockchain, you can participate in the validation and strengthening of a blockchain network.
Evaluating the Best Crypto Staking Platforms
Picking the right platform for staking cryptocurrency is the most crucial step for investors. You can be one step ahead of the curve with the best crypto staking exchange. We have listed a few factors to consider before choosing a staking exchange.
1. On-Chain vs Off-Chain Staking
On-chain and off-chain staking are locking crypto assets for a blockchain in a specified wallet. The main difference between them is the direct and indirect holding of crypto assets. For instance, you can hold crypto assets and become a validator for blockchain technology directly in a decentralized way. This method is on-chain staking.
On the flip side, you can perform similar activities via a third-party platform or crypto exchange, such as Kraken, Binance, etc. This method of locking crypto assets for the validation of blockchain is off-chain staking.
On-chain is more secure but comes with higher complexities. On the other hand, the off-chain process is effortless but staking crypto fees may be higher depending on the various crypto exchanges you will use.
2. Security Protocols
Since you lock your assets for a predetermined time in a crypto staking platform, it is crucial to assess and ensure security protocols. Several crypto exchanges are top-notch in providing safety measures in their operation.
For instance, Binance is one of the most trusted staking platforms for off-chain staking. Many other exchanges have robust security protocols for staking users.
These measures allow stakers to rest assured knowing malicious actors can’t find a way into the blockchain. Ultimately, their crypto assets are safe as well.
3. Supported Crypto Projects
Crypto staking is not just about locking your assests in the Ethereum blockchain. There is a vast array of projects and crypto tokens for you to support and become a validator. Thus, support for multiple crypto projects in a crypto exchange is a necessity.
Another vital point for a crypto exchange is support for Decentralized Finance (DeFi) projects. Some cryptocurrencies may not come under the umbrella of PoS mechanisms, but they are available for staking, thanks to DeFi protocols.
4. Returns on Investments
Crypto staking is the best way to earn passive money with cryptocurrency. The returns and annual percentage yield (APY) depend on the crypto project and the platform you stake. You must consider APY before choosing a staking platform.
A rule of thumb for assessing return on investment is the popularity of the crypto project. Cryptos like Ethereum and Cardano are well-known in the market. Thus, they offer less APY than emerging and new projects.
Furthermore, you can research a crypto exchange and analyze their APY for staking projects. Some exchanges even offer staking rewards calculators for user convenience and comfort.
5. Community and Support
Staking community of a crypto platform is a bonus for high security and fewer issues. The community will direct you towards the best staking crypto coins, helping you make more money while locking less capital.
Another crucial factor for a crypto exchange is round-the-clock support for their customers. Despite fewer risks with crypto staking, inconvenience may happen. In that case, robust customer support ensures the quick recovery of your losses.
The staking exchanges review highlights the customer support, helping you get an idea about the platform before joining.
Maximizing Your Returns: Tips and Strategies
Staking cryptocurrency exposes crypto enthusiasts to irresistible passive wealth. With various crypto exchanges and other staking platforms, you can stake and re-stake crypto assets to strengthen your financial well-being.
This also supports blockchain projects, bringing improvement in the crypto market. We have listed a few top tips and strategies to maximize your staking returns and rewards.
1. Diversify Staking Portfolio
Before thinking about rewards, it is essential to eliminate the risks of crypto staking. By selecting a profitable cryptocurrency for staking, you are one step ahead in this journey. Ethereum, Polkadot, Cardano, etc., are some of the top cryptos to consider for staking.
Furthermore, don’t go with a single crypto project or crypto exchange. The wise method is to diversify your staking portfolio. Stake various cryptos and use multiple crypto staking platforms to amplify your gains.
2. Go for Staking Pools
Staking pools are the best way of maximizing staking rewards. When various people combine and stake their assets together, a staking pool comes into existence. We advise you to consider staking pools because this will offer you the highest staking rewards on the go.
Mind you, not all staking pools can guarantee high returns on investment. Reputation and a proven track record are key to gaining profits and avoiding losses. You must analyze their fee structure, performance history, etc.
3. Stay Up-to-Date with Staking Performance
Once you have staked your crypto assets, don’t give it a cold shoulder. Always monitor your staking performance to get an insight into staking strategy. If you can find a loophole in your existing staking strategy, adjust the strategy to grow your gains.
Regularly monitoring your staking performance also reduces staking crypto risks. This helps you stay vigilant in identifying potential threats in the network. Thus, you won’t suffer losing your assets.
Advanced Staking Concepts
Staking is an extensive concept with many advanced methods going on the backend. Many advanced staking concepts impact APY and network security. Here are some of the essential concepts you should know:
Delegation
Delegation or delegated staking is an advanced crypto staking. It occurs in staking pools where the pool is delegated to multiple stakers, easing the validation process. Unlike a full node, a delegated node doesn’t require the complete participation of a stakeholder in the validation process.
In other words, you stake your assets and hand the authority to a credible person who will be validating the blockchain on behalf of the delegated pool. Every member of the delegated pool will earn shared rewards.
DeFi Staking
Crypto staking in DeFi projects is somehow similar to staking cryptocurrency. However, when you stake in DeFi projects, you will be validating the smart contract of the blockchain platform and earning rewards.
In simple terms, when you stake crypto in a DeFi platform, you participate in DeFi staking on that exchange. Yield farming comes under the umbrella of DeFi staking. Yield farming allows you to lend your assets without validating the blockchain.
Liquid Staking
Another essential concept in staking is liquid staking. It is the service from crypto or DeFi exchanges. They stake your crypto assets on your behalf as collateral in the DeFi space, create a new token and reward you with a share of profits.
Liquid staking has higher liquidity than traditional crypto staking. Moreover, liquid staking cuts the need to maintain high-end staking infrastructure on the staker end. Thus, it is a quick way to get started with passive crypto earning.
Conclusion: Future of Crypto Staking
Crypto staking is a promising endeavor with a lucrative future. The various staking trends guarantee a way of secure and energy-efficient passive income for investors and crypto enthusiasts.
According to Statista, Solana and Cardano make up 70% of the total crypto staking supply in 2024. The best thing about crypto staking is that it has less or no entry barriers, making it effortless for anyone to get into it. You can start earning passive income with crypto right now by joining any staking program we listed in this article.
FAQs
How often does staking payout?
The payout frequency may vary according to the crypto tokens you have staked. Some offer weekly and monthly rewards. While others may take a year to pay you rewards.
Can you withdraw staked crypto?
If you have staked in a fixed duration project, you can’t withdraw your assets. However, some projects are flexible for staking. It allows you to take profits and assets at your convenience.
Is staking income taxable?
Since staking rewards are income, they are taxable according to the Internal Revenue Service of the USA.
What is the best staking platform?
Some of the top staking platforms are Binance, Coinbase, Lido, etc. They ensure top-notch security, higher APYs, and support for multiple crypto tokens.
Is crypto staking secure?
Overall, crypto staking is highly secure because of staking platforms’ security protocols. However, you can lose your investment as a validator if you approve bogus transactions on the blockchain.
