Staking Solana (SOL) has become one of the most effective ways for crypto investors to earn passive income while supporting the network’s security and decentralization. Whether you're a beginner looking for a user-friendly platform or an experienced user who values control and flexibility, there are multiple options available to stake your SOL tokens.
This guide explores the best platforms and methods to stake Solana in 2025, compares staking rewards, explains how staking works, and answers common questions to help you make informed decisions—without the fluff, distractions, or outdated data.
Why Stake Solana?
Solana is a high-performance blockchain known for its fast transaction speeds, low fees, and robust ecosystem of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and NFT marketplaces. It operates on a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, meaning users can earn rewards by staking their SOL tokens to support network validators.
By staking, you contribute to network stability and are rewarded with additional SOL tokens—typically at an annual percentage yield (APY) ranging from 5% to 7%, depending on the platform and market conditions.
👉 Discover how easy it is to start earning rewards by staking your digital assets today.
Best Platforms to Stake Solana
1. Binance – Best Overall for Staking
Binance remains the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and offers one of the most competitive staking programs for Solana. It introduced SOL staking in February 2021 and continues to attract users with high yields and flexible lock-up periods.
At the time of writing, Binance offers up to 13.47% APY for fixed-term staking over 90 days. Shorter durations yield 9.28% (30 days) and 10.23% (60 days) respectively. Rewards are calculated daily, but early withdrawal forfeits all accrued rewards.
Binance does not charge staking fees, making it highly appealing. However, note that Binance.US does not support Solana staking, so U.S.-based investors must consider alternatives.
With its intuitive interface, strong security, and broad feature set—including NFT trading and derivatives—Binance stands out as the top choice for most stakers.
2. Kraken – Ideal for Flexible Staking
Kraken is a trusted name in the crypto space, known for its robust security and compliance focus. It launched Solana staking in July 2021 and currently offers around 6% APY, which aligns closely with on-chain rates.
The standout feature? Flexible staking. Unlike many platforms that require locking funds, Kraken allows users to withdraw staked SOL at any time—ideal for traders who want to earn rewards while retaining liquidity.
You only need 0.2 SOL to get started. However, due to past regulatory settlements, Kraken no longer supports staking for U.S. residents.
Still, for international users seeking a reliable, non-custodial-friendly exchange with real-time rewards, Kraken is a solid pick.
3. Coinbase – Best for Beginners
Coinbase is widely regarded as the most beginner-friendly exchange in the crypto industry. It added Solana staking in June 2022, offering an estimated 3.85% APY.
One major advantage: no minimum lock-up period. You can unstake anytime without penalties. Plus, you can start with as little as $1 worth of SOL, lowering the entry barrier significantly.
However, Coinbase charges a 25% staking fee, which is deducted from your rewards. While this reduces net returns, the trade-off is simplicity and peace of mind thanks to Coinbase’s strong regulatory compliance and insurance protections.
If you're new to crypto and want a hassle-free way to earn passive income, Coinbase is hard to beat.
4. Crypto.com Exchange – Best for Ease of Use
Crypto.com has grown rapidly through aggressive marketing and partnerships with major sports brands. Its exchange platform supports automatic soft staking—once enabled, your SOL starts earning rewards immediately.
Rewards range from 1% to 2% APY, with the higher rate unlocked only if you stake over 100,000 CRO tokens—a threshold impractical for most users. There's also a cap: you can stake up to $100,000 equivalent in SOL.
While the APY is lower than on-chain averages, the process is seamless, especially for existing Crypto.com app users. However, the requirement of 5 SOL minimum may deter smaller investors.
5. Huobi Global – Best for Transparency
Huobi Global, founded in 2013, remains a key player in global crypto markets. Its Solana staking APY sits around 3.5%, which is modest compared to competitors.
What sets Huobi apart is validator transparency. Users can view the exact validator node their tokens are delegated to via blockchain explorer links—giving advanced users greater control and insight into where their stake is going.
There’s a 5-day unstaking period, and occasional promotional campaigns offer boosted APYs—sometimes up to 50%. These limited-time offers can make Huobi worth watching for maximizing returns.
How Does Solana Staking Work?
Solana uses a hybrid consensus model combining Proof-of-Stake (PoS) and Proof-of-History (PoH). Validators process transactions and secure the network by locking up SOL as collateral. In return, they earn block rewards and transaction fees—proportionally shared with delegators.
When you stake SOL, you're essentially delegating your tokens to a validator. You retain ownership and can unstake at any time (subject to platform rules), but you don’t run the node yourself.
Staking rewards are distributed approximately every two days (per epoch), and actual yields depend on:
- Network inflation rate
- Validator uptime and commission
- Total amount of SOL staked network-wide
Currently, about 70% of circulating SOL is staked—indicating strong network participation but also putting downward pressure on yields.
How Much Can You Earn Staking Solana?
Annual returns typically range between 5% and 7% APY, though exchange-specific programs may offer higher or lower rates.
For example:
- Stake 10,000 SOL at 6% APY = 600 SOL earned per year
- Stake 100 SOL at 6% APY = 6 SOL earned per year
Keep in mind:
- Exchanges like Binance offer higher yields due to promotional incentives.
- Wallet-based staking usually provides better long-term rates than centralized platforms.
- Validator commission fees (typically 0–10%) reduce net earnings.
👉 Start growing your crypto holdings with competitive staking rewards—check live rates now.
Staking Solana Using a Wallet
For users who prioritize control and decentralization, self-custody wallets like Phantom and Solflare offer direct staking without relying on third-party exchanges.
Phantom Wallet
Phantom is one of the most popular wallets in the Solana ecosystem, available as a browser extension (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave) and iOS app. It integrates with Ledger hardware wallets for enhanced security.
To stake:
- Open Phantom wallet
- Click “Stake”
- Select a validator from the list
- Enter amount and confirm
Validators typically charge a ~10% commission, and estimated APY ranges from 5% to 7%. Rewards are paid every epoch (~48 hours).
While user-friendly, Phantom doesn’t allow sorting validators by uptime or fee—so consider researching top performers externally before delegating.
Solflare Wallet
Solflare is another leading Solana wallet developed in partnership with Solana Labs. It supports both Android and iOS apps and works across all major browsers.
Key advantages over Phantom:
- Broader mobile compatibility
- Built-in liquid staking via Marinade Finance (mSOL)
- Prevents full delegation to avoid gas fee issues
With liquid staking, you receive mSOL tokens representing your staked balance—usable in DeFi protocols like lending or liquidity pools. This eliminates opportunity cost and boosts capital efficiency.
Estimated returns: 6–7% APY, making Solflare ideal for intermediate-to-advanced users.
Risks of Staking Solana
While staking is generally safe, it's not risk-free:
- Slashing: Validators who act maliciously or go offline may be penalized ("slashed"), potentially resulting in partial loss of staked funds.
- Validator Performance: Poor uptime or high commission reduces returns.
- Platform Risk: Centralized exchanges can face hacks or regulatory shutdowns.
- Market Volatility: Even with strong APYs, price drops can outweigh staking gains.
Always diversify validators and avoid putting all funds with a single provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum amount to stake Solana?
You can start staking with as little as 0.00000001 SOL on Kraken. Binance requires 0.0001 SOL, while Huobi asks for 0.1 SOL. Wallets like Phantom have no strict minimum beyond reserving a small amount for transaction fees.
Is staking Solana profitable?
Yes—for long-term holders, staking helps offset volatility with consistent yield. With typical APYs between 5–7%, it's competitive with other PoS networks like Cardano or Polkadot. Historical highs reached over 50% during early adoption phases.
Can you stake Solana on Coinbase?
Yes. Coinbase supports Solana staking with an estimated 3.85% APY. There’s no lock-up period—you can unstake anytime—and rewards accrue automatically every few days.
How often are staking rewards distributed?
Solana pays rewards approximately every two days—one epoch cycle. Most exchanges distribute them automatically; wallets require manual claiming unless auto-compound services are used.
Should I stake via exchange or wallet?
Exchanges are easier for beginners; wallets offer more control and often better yields. If security and decentralization matter most, go with Phantom or Solflare.
Does staking lock my SOL?
On exchanges: sometimes—Binance locks funds for fixed terms; Kraken and Coinbase allow flexible unstaking. In wallets: no lock-up—you can redelegate or unstake anytime after a brief cool-down period (~2–3 days).
👉 Ready to maximize your crypto earnings? Begin staking securely with top-tier infrastructure today.