Crypto Staking: What It Is, How It Works, and the Top Picks for 2026

Crypto staking is an earning method that became popular as early as 2020, involving cryptocurrencies with a Proof-of-Stake blockchain like Ethereum, Cardano, Solana. But, specifically, what is crypto staking and how does it work? What are its advantages and risks? And, most importantly, what are the top platforms offering this service and what are the top cryptos to stake for 2026?

Crypto Staking: What is it and how does it work?

Crypto staking is a way to earn rewards by committing your cryptocurrencies to a Proof-of-Stake or Delegated-Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) blockchain network.

This staked crypto amount is used by the blockchain to manage and secure the network itself. Specifically, with Proof-of-Stake, the staked crypto helps validate transactions, ensuring the security of the blockchain. 

For this commitment, the protocol might pay the validator staking rewards, calculated based on certain variables. 

Indeed, much like many aspects of the crypto ecosystem, staking also has some unique characteristics and considerations that should be examined before getting involved. 

In this regard, it is necessary to consider that validators are randomly chosen by the blockchain, with a probability proportional to the amount staked. In practice, with some Proof-of-Stake blockchains, depositing more assets in a staking smart contract increases the likelihood of being selected to validate blocks. 

The idea behind this mechanism is that those with a greater personal stake are more inclined to act in the network’s interest. However, to avoid favoring wealthier participants, some protocols incorporate elements of randomness to ensure that everyone, including those with smaller holdings, has the opportunity to earn rewards.

Not only that, the staking process can employ incentives and penalties governed by computer rules to encourage honest participation in the network. 

In this sense, stakers who act according to the protocol rules receive rewards for their contributions, while those who act dishonestly may be subject to penalties, such as the loss of staked cryptocurrencies through a process called slashing.

Crypto Staking: between advantages and risks

Before participating in crypto staking, it is essential to consider both its advantages and risks. 

In general, the main advantage of crypto staking is precisely earning rewards for holding assets (those that are staked), without having to sell them. It is essentially about creating passive income and being able to implement long-term investment strategies. 

Other significant advantages include active participation in the relevant blockchain and the projects one believes in, earning rewards for one’s contribution. In some cases, staking validators also participate in the project’s governance, having a say in decision-making. 

Compared to Proof-of-Work protocols, crypto staking promises lower investment costs than those required for mining and is more energy-efficient. 

Speaking of risks of crypto staking, it is necessary to consider that you are committing and locking your assets for a period of time on a blockchain. Firstly, if the blockchain has issues, such as bugs or vulnerabilities, this could affect the security of the staked crypto. Secondly, staked crypto cannot always be sold instantly.

In this regard, some platforms allow you to stake or unstake most crypto assets at any time, with flexible lock-up periods.

The risk of being slashed, then, is the penalty imposed by the blockchain on its validator, if it behaves incorrectly or dishonestly, leading to the loss of part or all of its staked assets. 

Other more generic risks in the crypto world that also affect staking include: the volatility of cryptocurrency prices, its regulation, or exposure to software bugs, interruptions, or even hacker attacks that could lead to losses.

The top platforms for crypto staking in 2026

At this point, several analysts have proposed their rankings of the top platforms for crypto staking for 2026. 

The various lists have considered different platform parameters, from their geographical availability, supported cryptocurrencies, and APY interest rate to the staking lock-up period or other benefits. 

Here are the top CEX platforms for crypto staking 2026:

1. Kraken: the crypto exchange offers over 20 cryptocurrencies for staking, with a maximum APY of 21%. Additionally, Kraken provides flexible rates and lock-up periods for staked cryptocurrencies.
2. Crypto.com with over 30 cryptocurrencies available for staking, offers a maximum APY of 19%. Other benefits include higher APYs for staking CRO tokens, the platform’s native token.
3. Binance offers over 60 cryptocurrencies for staking, but with a maximum APY rate of 10%.
4. KuCoin and Coinbase offer staking for over 40 and only 8 cryptocurrencies respectively, both with a maximum APY rate of 13%.

The top decentralized crypto staking platforms of 2026 are Lido Finance and Rocket Pool for Ethereum and Jito Network and Veno Finance for the Solana crypto.  

Top Cryptos for Staking in 2026

What are the best cryptos for staking? Here is the ranking valid also for 2026 compiled directly by Kraken. 

In first place is Ethereum (ETH), the most popular PoS crypto, offering various methods to earn rewards, such as validator, delegation, and liquid staking with protocols like Lido and Rocket Pool.

On the podium, we then have Cosmos (ATOM), known for its high APY of around 15%, often with flexible or locked options, and Solana (SOL), fast and popular, with decent APYs around 4-7%.

Other important cryptos for staking include BNB Chain (BNB) with its dual utility within the Binance ecosystem, offering APY around 4-7%. Also, Cardano (ADA), the PoS coin, offers more moderate APY.