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Cryptocurrency Staking

Staking means locking proof-of-stake coins so they help secure a network, in exchange for rewards paid in the same coin. Most holders do it by delegating to a validator rather than running one. The headline APY gets the attention, but what decides whether staking suits you is how fast you can get your coins back, whether a validator's mistakes can cost you part of your stake, and who holds the keys while you stake.

How the main networks compare

Figures below come from our network guides; follow the link for the details and the current reward rate.

Network	Getting coins back	Slashing risk for delegators
Cosmos (ATOM)	21-day unbonding period	Yes, delegators share the validator's penalty
Polkadot (DOT)	28-day unbonding period; nomination pools from 1 DOT	Yes, with an appeal window
Cardano (ADA)	No lockup, ADA stays spendable	No
Polygon (POL)	Two steps: unbond, then claim after the unbonding window	See the guide
Avalanche (AVAX)	Locked for the chosen period, at least two weeks	See the guide
Solana (SOL) in Phantom	Free at the end of the current epoch, about two to three days	See the guide
Ethereum (ETH)	Exit through the validator queue, whose length changes with demand	Yes, for validators
Ethereum via Lido	Liquid: you hold stETH instead of locked ETH	Yes, validator slashing can reduce staked ETH

More staking guides

Before you stake, check three things: the unbonding period against when you might need the money, whether you stake from your own wallet or through an exchange that holds your coins, and how the validator you pick has performed. None of this is financial advice.

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