Staking Earnings Calculator
How This Works
This calculator shows your potential earnings based on current staking APR, platform fees, and expected returns. Remember: staking doesn't protect you from price volatility.
Your Estimated Earnings
* Price volatility is not included in these calculations.
Staking cryptocurrency isn’t magic. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. But if you’re holding crypto and not doing anything with it, you’re leaving money on the table. In 2025, staking is one of the most straightforward ways to earn passive income from your digital assets-no mining rigs, no trading stress. Just lock up your coins, help secure a blockchain, and get paid in more of the same coins.
How Staking Actually Works
Staking is how proof-of-stake blockchains keep things running. Instead of using massive amounts of electricity to solve math problems (like Bitcoin does), these networks pick validators based on how much crypto they’re willing to lock up. The more you stake, the higher your chance of being chosen to verify transactions. When you’re picked, you earn rewards. Think of it like a savings account-but instead of a bank paying you interest, the blockchain does. And you’re not just earning interest; you’re helping keep the network secure. No stakers? No network. Simple as that. The rewards come in the form of new coins created by the network. That means your balance grows over time. But here’s the catch: those new coins also increase the total supply. So if 10,000 new tokens are issued every day, and you’re staking 1% of the total supply, you’re getting 1% of those new coins. That’s your reward.What Are the Real Returns? (APR vs. Net Yield)
You’ll see headlines like “Earn 25% APR on Cosmos!” That sounds amazing. But that number isn’t your final take-home. It’s the annual percentage rate-what the network advertises before fees, taxes, and price swings. Let’s break it down:- APR: What the network says you’ll earn before any deductions.
- Net APY: What you actually get after platform fees, slashing, and token inflation.
- Ethereum: 2.48% APR. Sounds low? It is. But 30% of all ETH is staked. That’s over $150 billion locked in. The network doesn’t need to pay much because it’s so secure and widely trusted.
- Cosmos: 25.17% APR. High reward? Yes. But the token is more volatile. If the price drops 20% in a month, your 25% APR doesn’t matter.
- Solana: 7.58% APR. Solid middle ground. High adoption (66% of tokens staked), fast unstaking, low entry barrier.
Minimum Requirements: Can You Start With $10?
The barrier to entry varies wildly.- Ethereum: 32 ETH. At $3,200 per ETH, that’s $102,400. Not for most people.
- Cardano: 2 ADA. That’s less than $1. You can stake with just a few dollars.
- Algorand: 1 ALGO. Around $0.12. Yes, really.
- Solana: 0.01 SOL. Less than $1.
- Polkadot: 350 DOT. Around $1,500.
- Cosmos: No fixed minimum, but you need to pick a validator. Most pools require $10-$50 to join.
Top Staking Coins in 2025 (Real Numbers)
Here’s what’s actually happening on major networks as of early 2025:| Coin | APR | Min. Stake | Total Staked | Unstake Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmos (ATOM) | 25.17% | ~$10-$50 (via pool) | 222M ATOM | 21 days |
| Polkadot (DOT) | 15.31% | 350 DOT (~$1,500) | 610M DOT | 28 days |
| Avalanche (AVAX) | 9.51% | 2,000 AVAX (~$40,000) | 230M AVAX | 1-2 days |
| Solana (SOL) | 7.58% | 0.01 SOL (~$1) | 386M SOL | 1-3 days |
| Algorand (ALGO) | 7.2% | 1 ALGO (~$0.12) | 1.4B ALGO | Instant |
| Polygon (MATIC) | 8.61% | Variable (validator-based) | 3.6B MATIC | 2-3 days |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 2.48% | 32 ETH (~$102,400) | 17.8M ETH | 18-24 hours |
| Cardano (ADA) | 4.96% | 2 ADA (~$1) | 24.5B ADA | 15-20 days |
Biggest Risks You Can’t Ignore
Staking isn’t risk-free. Here’s what can go wrong:- Slashing: If you run your own validator and it goes offline or signs bad blocks, you lose part of your stake. This is rare for delegators but happens to 12% of independent validators annually.
- Lock-up periods: Ethereum takes up to 24 hours to unstake. Cosmos takes 21 days. If you need cash fast, you’re stuck.
- Token price crash: You earn 10% in ADA-but if ADA drops 40%, you’re down overall. Staking doesn’t protect you from market drops.
- Platform risk: If you stake on Binance or Coinbase and they get hacked or shut down, you could lose access. Use non-custodial wallets like Keplr or Phantom for more control.
- Taxes: In the U.S., the IRS treats staking rewards as taxable income the moment you receive them. In the EU, MiCA rules make it clearer-but you still need to track every payout.
How to Maximize Your Returns
Want to get the most out of staking? Here’s what works:- Reinvest your rewards. Compounding is powerful. If you stake 100 SOL and reinvest every payout, you’ll earn 22.4% more over 12 months than if you cash out each time.
- Diversify. Don’t put all your crypto into one staking coin. Split between Ethereum (safe), Solana (balanced), and Cosmos (high reward). Spread risk.
- Use low-fee platforms. Avoid exchanges that take 30% of your rewards. Use dedicated staking services like Everstake, Lido, or Rocket Pool.
- Stake during market dips. Users who staked ETH during the May 2024 dip saw 15.2% total returns (price + rewards). Those who staked at the peak? Just 3.8%.
- Track everything. Use CoinTracker or Koinly to log every reward. Tax season will thank you.
What’s Coming in 2025-2026
The staking landscape is changing fast:- Ethereum’s Prague Upgrade (Q3 2025) will lower the minimum stake from 32 ETH to 1 ETH. That could bring millions of new stakers online.
- Institutional adoption is rising. Whale accounts (those staking over 10,000 tokens) grew 27% in Q1 2025.
- Yields are trending down. As more people stake, rewards get split thinner. Experts predict major networks will settle at 3-7% APR long-term-closer to bond yields.
- Regulation is tightening. The SEC might classify staking as a security in some cases. Stay updated on your country’s rules.
Should You Stake?
Yes-if you’re holding crypto long-term and want to earn something while you wait. No-if you need liquidity, fear volatility, or don’t want to deal with taxes. Staking is like a low-risk, low-effort side hustle. You won’t get rich overnight. But if you stake $500 in Solana and hold for 5 years, you could earn $200-$300 in rewards-plus whatever the coin’s price does. The key is understanding what you’re getting into. Don’t chase the highest APR. Look at the network’s health, unstaking time, fees, and your own risk tolerance.Frequently Asked Questions
Can you lose money staking cryptocurrency?
Yes, but not from the staking process itself. You can lose money if the price of the coin drops significantly. If you stake $1,000 worth of a coin and its value falls 30% while you earn 8% in rewards, you’re still down $220. Also, if you run your own validator and it gets slashed for downtime, you can lose a portion of your stake.
Is staking crypto worth it in 2025?
For most people holding crypto, yes. If you’re already keeping ETH, SOL, or ADA for the long term, staking turns idle assets into passive income. Even at 3-5%, it’s better than a savings account. The real value comes from compounding and staying invested. Just don’t expect 25% returns to last forever.
What’s the safest cryptocurrency to stake?
Ethereum is the safest. It’s the most secure, widely used, and regulated proof-of-stake network. Its 2.48% APR is low, but the risk is minimal. Cardano and Algorand are also solid choices with strong track records and lower volatility than high-yield coins like Cosmos.
Do you pay taxes on staking rewards?
Yes, in most countries. In the U.S., the IRS treats staking rewards as taxable income at their fair market value when you receive them. In the EU, MiCA regulations require reporting. You must track every payout and report it-even if you don’t sell the coins. Use crypto tax software like Koinly or CoinTracker to stay compliant.
Can you stake on Coinbase or Binance?
Yes, and it’s easy. Coinbase and Binance let you stake with one click. But they take 25-35% of your rewards. If you want to keep more of your earnings, use a non-custodial wallet like Phantom, Keplr, or Trust Wallet and delegate to a validator directly. You’ll earn more, and you control your keys.
How long does it take to start earning staking rewards?
It varies. On Solana or Algorand, you can earn within hours. On Ethereum, it takes 1-2 days after you stake to start earning. Cosmos and Polkadot take 1-3 days. The delay happens because the network needs to include your stake in the next validator cycle. Don’t expect instant payouts.
Ryan McCarthy
November 9, 2025 AT 18:37Staking is honestly the easiest way to make crypto work for you. I started with $50 in SOL and didn’t touch it for six months. Now I’ve got 12% more than I put in, and I didn’t even have to check my portfolio once. It’s like interest from the future.
People act like it’s gambling, but it’s not. You’re just helping the network run smoother. And if you’re holding anyway? Why not get paid for it?
Christopher Evans
November 11, 2025 AT 09:45While the mechanics of staking are sound, the assumption that passive income from crypto is comparable to traditional financial instruments is misleading. The volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and counterparty risk inherent in non-custodial and custodial platforms render any yield calculation incomplete without a comprehensive risk-adjusted analysis.
Staking rewards are not interest. They are speculative distributions tied to network security incentives, subject to protocol-level changes, slashing events, and tax implications that vary by jurisdiction. The notion that this is ‘low-risk’ is dangerously oversimplified.
Abelard Rocker
November 12, 2025 AT 13:20Ohhhhh so now we’re just gonna pretend staking is like putting money in a savings account? Like, wow, what a revelation. The blockchain is your new bank, and you’re not supposed to notice that your ‘rewards’ are just inflation in disguise? And you’re supposed to be grateful?
Let me get this straight: you lock up your coins so the network can print more, which dilutes your holdings, and then you pat yourself on the back for getting 7%? That’s not passive income, that’s financial Stockholm syndrome.
And don’t even get me started on ‘safe’ staking. Ethereum’s 2.48%? Yeah, because it’s the only thing holding up the entire crypto economy like a dying god. Meanwhile, Cosmos is offering 25% because its whole ecosystem is held together by duct tape and hope. Someone’s gotta be the sucker, right? Guess who it is?
And don’t even talk to me about taxes. The IRS doesn’t care if you didn’t sell. They want their cut the second your wallet pings. So you’re paying taxes on phantom gains while your coin tanks 40%? That’s not investing. That’s being financially mugged by both the blockchain and the state. And people call this the future?
Meanwhile, the real winners? The exchanges taking 30% of your rewards. They’re the ones cashing in while you’re out here calculating APY like it’s a math test. Congrats. You’re the fuel in their rocket ship.
Hope Aubrey
November 14, 2025 AT 01:52Okay but let’s be real - if you’re staking on Coinbase, you’re basically giving them your keys and letting them pocket 30% of your rewards. Why? Because you’re lazy? Because you don’t want to set up Phantom or Keplr? I get it. But if you’re serious about this, you need to take control. Non-custodial isn’t scary - it’s empowering.
Also, the tax thing? Ugh. I use Koinly and it’s a nightmare, but it’s better than an audit. Every single reward, even the $0.12 ALGO payout? Logged. Every swap? Logged. I’m not joking - I have a spreadsheet that’s longer than my last relationship.
And yes, if your coin crashes, you lose. But if you’re staking for the long game, you’re not trying to time the market. You’re building a stack. And stacks grow over time. Even slow ones.
andrew seeby
November 15, 2025 AT 01:54just staked 10 sol and got 0.007 back in 2 days 😍 so chill. no stress. no trading. just chillin. also why are people scared of 21 day unstake? if u need cash that fast u prob shouldn’t be in crypto lol
also algorand is wild. 1 ALGO? for like 12 cents? i feel like i’m getting free money from a vending machine. 🤑
Kyung-Ran Koh
November 15, 2025 AT 10:39Compounding is the real secret here. Most people don’t realize that reinvesting rewards isn’t optional-it’s essential. If you’re earning 7.5% on Solana and cashing out every payout, you’re leaving nearly 25% of potential returns on the table over five years.
Also, the unstaking time on Cosmos? It’s not a bug-it’s a feature. It discourages panic selling and stabilizes the network. If you can’t wait 21 days, you’re not ready to stake. Period.
And yes, taxes are annoying. But they’re a sign you’re doing something right. If you’re not paying taxes on staking rewards, you’re either not earning enough-or not reporting it. And that’s a bigger risk than slashing.
Missy Simpson
November 17, 2025 AT 07:57I started staking ADA with just $20 last year and now I’ve got over $30 in rewards-without doing a single trade! It’s so satisfying to see my balance grow slowly but surely. I don’t even think about it anymore. It’s like magic, but real 😊
And the best part? I didn’t have to learn how to code or buy a rig. Just hit stake and forget. Perfect for busy people like me!
Tara R
November 18, 2025 AT 06:28Staking is a scam dressed up as financial innovation. You’re not earning interest. You’re subsidizing a system that prints money to pay you in increasingly worthless tokens. The fact that people treat this as ‘smart’ is a testament to the collapse of financial literacy.
Anyone who says ‘it’s better than a savings account’ has never seen a CD or Treasury bond. This isn’t finance. It’s digital alchemy.
Matthew Gonzalez
November 19, 2025 AT 01:08What’s funny is how we treat staking like it’s new. It’s just feudalism with a blockchain. You give your coins to the network, they let you keep a tiny cut of the harvest, and everyone pretends you’re an equal participant.
The real power? Still with the validators. The rest of us? Just peasants with wallets.
But hey, if it keeps you from selling during a crash, maybe it’s worth it. Sometimes the ritual matters more than the return.
Brian Webb
November 19, 2025 AT 03:53I’ve been staking on Solana for over a year now. My main goal wasn’t to get rich-it was to support a network I believe in. The rewards are nice, sure, but knowing I’m helping keep the chain secure? That’s the real win.
Also, I use Lido for ETH and Everstake for ATOM. Low fees, solid track record. No need to overcomplicate it.
Leo Lanham
November 19, 2025 AT 23:5825% APR? Bro that’s just the crypto version of a pyramid scheme. They pay you with new coins so the rich can keep buying more. You’re not earning. You’re just the last guy holding the bag when the pump ends.
And don’t tell me about ‘long-term’. I’ve seen 3 coins go to zero after promising 30% yields. You think your 10 SOL is safe? It’s not. It’s a gamble with a fancy name.
Whitney Fleras
November 20, 2025 AT 15:05Staking is great for beginners because it teaches patience. You don’t need to watch charts. You don’t need to panic sell. You just hold. And over time, you learn what real investing looks like.
I started with $10 in ALGO. Now I’m up to $18. Not life-changing. But it’s mine. And I didn’t do anything but click ‘stake’.
Benjamin Jackson
November 21, 2025 AT 23:40It’s wild how much we’ve normalized this. A decade ago, people thought crypto was a joke. Now we’re calculating APYs like it’s a mortgage. And honestly? It’s kind of beautiful. We’re building a new kind of economy, one stake at a time.
Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s volatile. Even if the IRS is watching.
Still worth it.
Liam Workman
November 23, 2025 AT 13:40The real beauty of staking isn’t the yield-it’s the shift in mindset. You stop seeing crypto as a speculative asset and start seeing it as infrastructure. You’re not betting on price. You’re investing in function.
And that’s why Ethereum’s low APR makes sense. It’s not trying to lure you in with hype. It’s saying: ‘We’re secure. We’re stable. We don’t need to bribe you.’
Meanwhile, Cosmos is shouting, ‘Hey! Look at me! I’m 25%! Come here!’
Which one feels more like a house? Which one feels like a tent?
Staking reveals the soul of the network.
Louise Watson
November 25, 2025 AT 05:45Finn McGinty
November 25, 2025 AT 19:53The notion that staking is ‘low-effort’ is a dangerous myth perpetuated by exchanges. The reality is that every staked asset introduces systemic risk-centralized custodians, slashing vulnerabilities, regulatory exposure, and liquidity traps.
And yet, we are told to ‘just stake and forget.’ This is not financial advice. This is behavioral conditioning.
True financial sovereignty requires active participation, not passive compliance.
Alexis Rivera
November 27, 2025 AT 06:44People act like staking is new. But it’s just digital rent-seeking. You’re lending your coins to a network so it can pay you back in inflated tokens. The real winners? The developers who built the protocol and the exchanges that take 30% of your yield.
Meanwhile, you’re out here thinking you’re a ‘validator’ because you clicked a button.
It’s not capitalism. It’s feudalism with a crypto logo.
Eric von Stackelberg
November 27, 2025 AT 20:29Did you know the U.S. government is already preparing to track every staking reward through blockchain analytics? The IRS isn’t waiting for you to file. They’re mining your wallet addresses right now.
And the SEC? They’re quietly compiling a list of staking platforms that qualify as unregistered securities. Ethereum might be safe. Cosmos? Not so much.
Staking isn’t passive income. It’s a legal minefield with a pretty dashboard.
And you’re the one holding the detonator.
Ryan McCarthy
November 29, 2025 AT 03:27Actually, I just checked my wallet. I’ve earned $142 in SOL rewards over 18 months. That’s not life-changing, but it’s more than my savings account made in 5 years. And I didn’t even have to think about it.
Maybe it’s not magic. But it’s better than nothing.
Matthew Gonzalez
November 30, 2025 AT 15:08And that’s the quiet truth, isn’t it?
Most people don’t stake to get rich. They stake because they don’t want to lose.
It’s not a strategy. It’s a defense mechanism.
And maybe that’s okay.