10 Best Crypto Staking Platforms Compared
- The best staking platform depends on your priorities: simplicity, yield, liquidity, or self-custody.
- Centralized exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken are easiest for beginners; DeFi protocols like Lido give you more control.
- APYs on major coins typically range from 3% to 15% depending on the asset and platform.
- Always check lock-up periods before committing. Some platforms freeze your funds for weeks.
- You can buy the crypto you want to stake directly on Paybis and transfer it to your platform of choice.
Staking is one of the most popular ways to earn passive income on crypto. Instead of letting your coins sit still, you put them to work securing a blockchain network and earn rewards in return. If you’re new to the concept, it’s worth reading up on what staking is and how it works before diving into platform comparisons.
With dozens of platforms promising high yields and zero hassle, picking the right one isn’t always easy. Fees and lock-up periods vary. Some platforms are built for beginners, others for DeFi power users. And a few have made headlines for the wrong reasons.
In this guide, you’ll find ten of the best crypto staking platforms in 2026, compared on the criteria that matter the most.
Table of contents
- What Should You Look For in a Staking Platform?
- 1. Coinbase: Best for Beginners
- 2. Kraken: Best for Security and Transparency
- 3. Binance: Best for Asset Variety
- 4. Lido: Best for ETH Liquid Staking
- 5. Rocket Pool: Best for Decentralized ETH Staking
- 6. Nexo: Best for Flexible High-Yield Staking
- 7. OKX: Best for DeFi Integration
- 8. Bybit: Best for Short-Term High APY Promotions
- 9. Jito: Best for Solana Holders
- 10. Crypto.com: Best Mobile Experience
- Best Staking Platforms Comparison at a Glance
- Custodial vs. Non-Custodial: Which Is Right for You?
- What About Bitcoin: Can You Stake It?
- Risks to Keep in Mind
- Bottom Line
What Should You Look For in a Staking Platform?
The best platforms combine competitive yields, transparent fees, reasonable lock-up terms, and strong security track records. A flashy APY means nothing if the platform gets hacked or quietly takes 30% of your rewards.
Here’s what to evaluate before you commit:
- APY and how it’s calculated: Is it fixed or variable? Does the platform take a cut?
- Lock-up periods: Can you unstake whenever you want, or are your funds frozen?
- Supported assets: Does it support the coins you already hold?
- Custody: Do you keep control of your private keys, or does the platform hold your crypto?
- Fees: Some platforms charge a staking commission on top of network fees.
- Geographic restrictions: Several platforms are unavailable in certain US states.
With that framework in mind, here are the ten platforms worth your attention.
1. Coinbase: Best for Beginners
It’s built for people who want staking to be invisible. Once you hold an eligible asset, rewards start accumulating automatically with no setup required.
Coinbase supports staking for ETH, SOL, ADA, and several other assets. It’s one of the most regulated and publicly traded exchanges in the world, which gives many users peace of mind. The downside is that Coinbase charges a commission on staking rewards, typically 25% to 35% depending on the asset. It puts Coinbase on the high end compared to competitors.
If you value simplicity and regulatory protection over maximizing yield, Coinbase is a solid starting point. You can buy ETH or SOL on Paybis in minutes and transfer it straight to your Coinbase account to start earning.
Best for: First-time stakers who want zero complexity.
Approximate APY: 3–5% on ETH; varies by asset
Lock-up: Flexible on most assets
Custody: Custodial
2. Kraken: Best for Security and Transparency
It has operated since 2013 without a major security breach, which is a meaningful track record in crypto. Staking rewards are updated in real time, commissions are disclosed upfront, and the platform supports over 20 stakeable assets.
Kraken offers both flexible staking (lower yield, withdraw anytime) and bonded staking (higher yield, lock-up of 3–28 days depending on the asset). Payouts happen twice a week. It’s one of the few major exchanges that combines institutional-grade security with staking options accessible to retail users.
Best for: Security-conscious investors who want transparency.
Approximate APY: 4–21% depending on asset
Lock-up: 0–28 days
Custody: Custodial
3. Binance: Best for Asset Variety
The sheer breadth of options. Through Binance Earn, you can access flexible staking, locked staking, DeFi staking, and ETH liquid staking, all under one roof. It supports dozens of coins, from ETH and BNB to smaller altcoins.
Locked staking offers higher APYs in exchange for committing your funds for 30, 60, or 90 days. Flexible options pay out daily with no lock-up. Binance’s scale also means competitive rates on popular assets. The main caveat is that US residents are redirected to Binance.US, which offers a more limited selection. If you’re still figuring out which coins to hold, understanding how different blockchains work can help you choose assets worth staking long-term.
Best for: Investors with diverse altcoin portfolios.
Approximate APY: 3–15%+ depending on asset and term
Lock-up: Flexible or 30–90 days locked
Custody: Custodial
4. Lido: Best for ETH Liquid Staking
When you stake ETH with Lido, you receive stETH tokens in return. These tokens track the value of your staked ETH and continue to accumulate rewards, but you can still use them across DeFi protocols, trade them, or provide liquidity while your ETH is technically staked.
Lido is the largest liquid staking protocol with over $28 billion in total value locked. It’s non-custodial, meaning you retain control of your assets. The main risk is smart contract exposure; you’re trusting code rather than a company. Lido also charges a 10% fee on staking rewards, which is standard for the protocol. Optimized staking vaults can push yields up to 8%.
Best for: DeFi users who want liquidity without unstaking.
Approximate APY: 3–8%
Lock-up: None (stETH is liquid)
Custody: Non-custodial
5. Rocket Pool: Best for Decentralized ETH Staking
Both offer ETH liquid staking, but Rocket Pool is more decentralized. Rather than routing all ETH through a centralized set of validators, Rocket Pool distributes it across a network of independent node operators. This reduces single points of failure.
When you stake ETH with Rocket Pool, you receive rETH, which automatically accrues rewards over time. The minimum stake is just 0.01 ETH, making it accessible without the 32 ETH required to run your own Ethereum validator. If you’re weighing whether crypto is a good long-term investment before committing to staking, Rocket Pool is worth keeping on your shortlist once you decide to act.
Best for: Users who care about decentralization and censorship resistance.
Approximate APY: 3–4%
Lock-up: None (rETH is liquid)
Custody: Non-custodial
6. Nexo: Best for Flexible High-Yield Staking
Nexo supports over 20 assets and pays rewards daily, not weekly or monthly. Its ETH Smart Staking gives you NETH tokens, which can be used as collateral to borrow cash through Nexo’s Credit Line feature. That’s a genuinely useful feature if you want liquidity without selling your position.
Nexo’s rates scale with your loyalty tier: holding more NEXO tokens unlocks better rates across the platform, up to 15% APY on select assets. It’s worth noting that Nexo has had regulatory friction in some markets, and it’s not currently available to US residents, though the company has indicated it plans to return.
Best for: Non-US users who want daily rewards and multi-asset flexibility.
Approximate APY: Up to 15% on select assets
Lock-up: Flexible
Custody: Custodial
7. OKX: Best for DeFi Integration
OKX goes beyond simple exchange staking; it offers a decentralized staking aggregator that connects directly to hundreds of DeFi pools. This means you can access yields across multiple protocols from one interface without manually interacting with each one.
OKX supports both flexible and fixed staking plans across a wide range of PoS assets. The platform has grown significantly in recent years and now ranks among the top exchanges by volume. For users comfortable with DeFi who want the convenience of a centralized dashboard, it bridges both worlds.
Best for: Intermediate users who want DeFi exposure without managing multiple wallets.
Approximate APY: Varies widely by pool
Lock-up: Flexible or fixed
Custody: Custodial (CEX) or non-custodial (DeFi aggregator)
8. Bybit: Best for Short-Term High APY Promotions
Bybit regularly runs promotional staking products with elevated APYs on shorter terms, sometimes 14 to 30 days. If you’re willing to monitor the platform and move funds when better deals appear, you can consistently access above-average yields.
The catch is that promotional rates are temporary and can change quickly. Bybit is not the place for a set-it-and-forget-it staking strategy. But for active users who treat staking as part of a broader yield strategy alongside tracking crypto prices, Bybit is worth bookmarking.
Best for: Active users who want to chase short-term yield opportunities.
Approximate APY: Variable; promotional rates can exceed 10–20%
Lock-up: 14–90 days on locked products
Custody: Custodial
9. Jito: Best for Solana Holders
Jito is a liquid staking protocol built specifically for Solana. It works similarly to Lido for Ethereum. You stake SOL and receive JitoSOL in return, which can be used across Solana DeFi. What’s unique is that Jito validators participate in MEV (maximal extractable value) tip distribution, which adds an extra layer of yield on top of standard staking rewards.
This makes Jito’s effective APY slightly higher than standard Solana staking on a typical exchange. If you already hold SOL in a crypto wallet and want to put it to work without selling, Jito is the purpose-built option. Don’t have SOL yet? You can buy Solana on Paybis and send it directly to your wallet.
Best for: Solana holders who want maximum yield on their SOL.
Approximate APY: 7–9%
Lock-up: None (JitoSOL is liquid)
Custody: Non-custodial
10. Crypto.com: Best Mobile Experience
Users who manage their crypto primarily from a phone. Crypto.com’s app is one of the most polished in the industry, and its Earn feature offers competitive rates across a wide range of assets with flexible or fixed terms.
The main nuance is that top-tier rates require staking a minimum amount of CRO, the platform’s native token, for at least six months. Without that commitment, yields are noticeably lower. If you’re comfortable holding CRO and want a premium mobile staking experience, it’s worth exploring. For everyone else, rates are decent but not exceptional without the CRO requirement.
Best for: Mobile-first users who don’t mind holding CRO for better rates.
Approximate APY: 1–8% (higher with CRO staked)
Lock-up: Flexible or fixed
Custody: Custodial
Best Staking Platforms Comparison at a Glance
Now let’s look at the comparison table to wrap it up:
| Platform | Approx. APY | Lock-up | Custody | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | 3–5% | Flexible | Custodial | Beginners |
| Kraken | 4–21% | 0–28 days | Custodial | Security-first investors |
| Binance | 3–15%+ | Flexible or 30–90 days | Custodial | Altcoin holders |
| Lido | 3–8% | None | Non-custodial | ETH DeFi users |
| Rocket Pool | 3–4% | None | Non-custodial | Decentralization advocates |
| Nexo | Up to 15% | Flexible | Custodial | Non-US high-yield seekers |
| OKX | Varies | Flexible or fixed | Both | DeFi aggregation |
| Bybit | Variable / promotional | 14–90 days | Custodial | Active yield hunters |
| Jito | 7–9% | None | Non-custodial | SOL holders |
| Crypto.com | 1–8% | Flexible or fixed | Custodial | Mobile-first users |
Custodial vs. Non-Custodial: Which Is Right for You?
For most casual stakers, custodial platforms are fine. For anyone staking significant amounts long-term, it’s worth understanding the difference.
With custodial staking (Coinbase, Kraken, Binance, etc.), the exchange holds your crypto. You’re trusting their security, their solvency, and their honesty. The upside is convenience: no wallets to manage, no gas fees to worry about, and usually slashing protection if something goes wrong at the validator level.
With non-custodial staking (Lido, Rocket Pool, Jito), your crypto never leaves your wallet. You interact with smart contracts directly, and you bear the risk of those contracts having bugs or exploits. The tradeoff is greater control and no platform counterparty risk.
A good middle ground for many people: stake smaller amounts through a trusted exchange to start, then explore non-custodial options as you get comfortable with wallets and DeFi. If you need a secure place to store your holdings in the meantime, a dedicated Bitcoin wallet is worth setting up regardless of where you stake.
What About Bitcoin: Can You Stake It?
No. Bitcoin runs on proof-of-work, not proof-of-stake, so there’s no native staking mechanism. You can’t lock BTC into a validator and earn network rewards.
That said, some platforms offer yield on Bitcoin through lending products, wrapped BTC on PoS chains, or interest-bearing accounts. These are fundamentally different products with different risk profiles, not staking in the traditional sense. If you want to buy Bitcoin and hold it long-term, the passive income angle looks different than it does for ETH or SOL holders.
Risks to Keep in Mind
Not exactly. The rewards are real, but so are the risks. Not all of them are obvious.
Price volatility is the biggest risk. If you lock up SOL for 90 days at 7% APY and the price drops 40%, your yield doesn’t offset that loss. Staking rewards are denominated in the token you stake, so you’re exposed to the price of that asset throughout the lock-up period. A look at crypto’s crash history is a useful reminder of how fast conditions can change.
Lock-up risk is closely related. During a market downturn, being unable to sell because your funds are bonded can be genuinely painful. Always know how quickly you can exit before committing.
Slashing is a risk specific to proof-of-stake networks. If the validator your funds are delegated to misbehaves, (like going offline unexpectedly or acting maliciously) the network can penalize it by destroying a portion of the staked funds. Most custodial platforms cover slashing losses, but it’s worth confirming before you stake.
Finally, platform risk is real. Centralized platforms can be hacked or face regulatory shutdown. This happened with several high-profile platforms in recent years. Spreading your staking across a few platforms, rather than concentrating everything in one, is a reasonable precaution.
Bottom Line
The best crypto staking platform in 2026 is the one that fits your specific situation. Coinbase and Kraken are the safest starting points for most people. Lido and Rocket Pool make sense once you’re comfortable with DeFi and self-custody, and Jito is the right call if your portfolio is weighted toward Solana.
Whatever you choose, start with a platform you understand, check the lock-up terms carefully, and never stake more than you’d be comfortable seeing locked up during a downturn.
FAQ
Which crypto staking platform has the highest APY?
APYs vary by asset and constantly change with market conditions. Newer, smaller coins often offer the highest rates, but they carry more risk. For major assets, Kraken and Binance tend to offer competitive yields on locked staking products.
Is staking crypto taxable?
In most jurisdictions, yes. Staking rewards are typically treated as ordinary income at the time you receive them, and any gains when you sell those rewards may be subject to capital gains tax. Tax treatment varies by country, so consult a local tax advisor.
Can I lose money staking crypto?
Yes. The biggest risk is price volatility; if the token you’re staking drops in value, your rewards won’t compensate for the loss. Slashing penalties and platform hacks are additional but less common risks.
Disclaimer: Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high‑risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more at: https://go.payb.is/FCA-Info
