Learn how staking rewards are calculated across major blockchains like Ethereum, what factors affect your earnings, and how to maximize your passive income without falling for misleading APY claims.
Staking Rewards: How to Earn Crypto Just by Holding It
When you stake your crypto, you’re not just sitting on it—you’re helping secure a blockchain and getting paid for it. This is called staking rewards, earnings you receive for locking up cryptocurrency to support a proof-of-stake network. Also known as proof of stake rewards, it’s one of the easiest ways to make your crypto work for you without trading or mining. Unlike mining, which needs powerful hardware, staking just needs a wallet and a little patience. You lock up coins like Ethereum, Solana, or Cardano, and the network rewards you with more of the same coin—usually every day or week. It’s like earning interest in a bank, but with crypto.
Not all coins offer staking, and not all staking platforms are safe. Some exchanges let you stake directly in your account, while others require you to use a dedicated wallet. The returns vary: some projects pay 3% a year, others over 10%. But higher yields often come with higher risk—like locked funds, slashing penalties, or fake projects. That’s why it’s important to know what you’re staking and where. Proof of stake, a consensus mechanism that replaces energy-heavy mining with coin-based validation. Also known as PoS, it’s now the backbone of Ethereum and dozens of other blockchains. It’s faster, cheaper, and greener than old-school mining. And because it’s built into the network, your staking rewards come directly from new coin issuance, not from other users’ deposits.
Staking isn’t just for big investors. Even small amounts can earn you something. If you hold 10 ETH or 500 SOL, you’re already contributing to network security—and getting paid. But you should never stake on an unregulated exchange without knowing how your funds are handled. Some platforms promise high returns but can disappear overnight. Others lock your coins for months. Always check the rules before you commit. The best staking setups give you control, transparency, and reasonable returns. You’ll find real examples of what works—and what doesn’t—in the posts below. From platforms that vanished without a trace to coins that reliably pay out, this collection cuts through the noise. You’ll see what staking actually looks like in practice, not just what marketers claim.
Learn how validators earn rewards in proof-of-stake blockchains like Ethereum and Solana, including consensus and execution layer income, commission structures, slashing penalties, and the risks and rewards of staking.