What is staking for cryptocurrencies?

You may have heard that there is a special analog for fixed-income assets in the bitcoin world. You “stake” (put aside) a batch of cryptocurrency coins to earn a proportion of them, rather than receiving interest payments in US dollars. This is the main purpose of cryptocurrency staking. So what’s the deal, how does it operate, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of securing your money for “yield”?

What is staking for cryptocurrencies?

The process of tying your digital tokens to a blockchain network in order to get rewards—typically a portion of the staked tokens—is known as crypto staking. Token holders also have the ability to take part in proof-of-stake blockchains by staking bitcoin.

Here’s an easy illustration: Let’s imagine a blockchain network gives a 5% payout after, say, a month of staking. You make the decision to stake and lock up 100 tokens on the network. You may access your staked tokens after a month, and as a reward, you’ll get five more tokens.

In how many ways are tokens from cryptocurrency investors staked?

Staking cryptocurrency can take many different forms, but it can be broadly divided into two groups: active and passive.

Locking your tokens to a network in order to actively participate in it is known as active crypto staking. To obtain token incentives, active participants can validate transactions and add new blocks.

Simply locking your tokens to a blockchain network to maintain its security and functionality is known as passive crypto staking. While it doesn’t take much effort, passive staking cryptocurrency usually results in less token payouts than active involvement.

Although cryptocurrency staking is a relatively recent invention, there are currently many distinct varieties of crypto staking, such as:

assigned staking. With this type of staking, cryptocurrency holders can assign their staking authority to a third-party validator node. Validators and delegators split the prizes they get. (Note: Watch the blockchain video below if you’re confused by any of these words).

Staking in a pool. By pooling their resources, a group of currency holders may more successfully compete for staking rewards. All awards are distributed proportionately among pool participants.

Staking on exchanges. Staking services are provided by several cryptocurrency exchanges, allowing customers to stake their holdings directly on the exchange. Participants get staking benefits from the exchange, which manages the staking procedure on a blockchain network.

staking in liquid. Staking cryptocurrency yields representational tokens for users. The representative tokens give cryptocurrency stakeholders liquidity through trading or use.

Staking cryptocurrency can also be noncustodial or custodial. While noncustodial staking allows you to keep your staked coins in your own digital wallet, custodial staking compels cryptocurrency holders to move their tokens to a staking platform.

In summary

Although staking cryptocurrencies might be profitable, it is always dangerous. As more blockchains implement proof-of-stake consensus methods and as platforms like Ethereum make staking more accessible, the practice of staking is growing in popularity. Gaining expertise in cryptocurrency staking is an excellent starting point for achieving financial success with this approach.