Crypto staking is often described as an easy way to earn passive income. Advertised rates range from about 3% to 19% a year, depending on the coin and the platform.
Those headline numbers rarely match what ends up in your account. Fees, inflation, lock-up periods and price swings all change the final result.
This article uses data from five published sources to show what staking pays in practice. It covers rates by asset, monthly earnings, platform fees and the risks that can cut returns.
Rates change often, and one source uses data from 2019 and 2020. Treat every figure as a snapshot, not a promise. This article is for information only and is not financial advice.
What Staking Pays by Asset
Staking means locking up coins in a proof-of-stake network. The coins help validators confirm transactions and secure the blockchain. In return, the network pays rewards, usually in the same token.
Rates differ a lot from one asset to the next. Diamond Pigs puts Ethereum at about 3.3% APY in early 2026. Freshminers lists a range of 4% to 5%, which shows how much the number depends on timing and method.
Solana is listed at 6% to 8% by both sources. Cardano sits at 4% to 6%, and Polkadot at 10% to 12%. Cosmos-based tokens show the widest spread, from 8% to 19%.
Figure 1: Typical staking APY ranges by asset. Source: Diamond Pigs and Freshminers.
Table 1: Typical staking and yield rates
Asset or option
Typical APY
Source
Ethereum
3.3% to 5%
Diamond Pigs, Freshminers
Cardano
4% to 6%
Freshminers
Solana
6% to 8%
Diamond Pigs, Freshminers
Polkadot
10% to 12%
Freshminers
Cosmos tokens
8% to 19%
Diamond Pigs, Freshminers
Exchange staking
3% to 6%
Diamond Pigs
Stablecoin lending
4% to 12%
Diamond Pigs
Network participation also moves rates. Freshminers says that when fewer tokens are staked across a network, the remaining stakers usually earn higher yields. Competition among validators and governance changes can shift long-term earnings too.
Higher rates usually come with higher risk. Diamond Pigs notes that Cosmos-style networks carry more inflation and more concentrated validator risk than Ethereum.
Stablecoin lending is a useful comparison point. Diamond Pigs lists 4% to 12% APY with no lock-up and no token price exposure. That is a high bar for staking to beat.
The 2020 Medium analysis shows how wide rates can get. It lists some popular staking coins at 5% to 7% a year and others at 50% or more. Section six looks at what happened to those returns once prices moved.
Exchange staking sits at the lower end, at about 3% to 6%. The exchange holds your coins, but the setup is simple. Diamond Pigs describes it as the option for beginners who want simplicity.
Ethereum Staking by the Numbers
Ethereum is the largest staking network, so it makes a good reference point. In early 2026, about 35.86 million ETH was staked. That is roughly 28.9% of the total supply.
At the same time, staking paid about 3.3% APY. When more of the supply is staked, the reward rate tends to fall. Kraken’s guide describes the same rule for staking rewards in general: more staked coins mean a lower rate for everyone.
Figure 2: About 28.9% of Ethereum supply was staked in early 2026. Source: Diamond Pigs.
There are three main ways to stake ETH. Running your own validator needs 32 ETH. Liquid staking and exchange staking have no such minimum.
Table 2: Ethereum staking methods
Method
Typical APY
Lock-up
Custody
Solo staking
About 3.3%
Variable withdrawal queue
You hold it (32 ETH minimum)
Liquid staking
About 3% to 3.5%
None (tradeable token)
Partial, with smart contract risk
Exchange staking
About 3% to 6%
Varies by platform
Exchange holds the assets
The Staking Rewards calculator gives a real example. It shows $10,000 of ETH staked at a net rate of 3.36% earning about $333.55 over one year. That equals roughly 0.1416 ETH.
Net rate means the figure after provider fees. That is the number to look for, because it is closer to what you keep.
Withdrawal times also matter. Freshminers says Ethereum unstaking takes 1 to 4 days, while Diamond Pigs describes a variable queue. Plan for some delay before you can sell.
Why Headline APY Overstates Real Returns
APY shows how many new tokens you earn. It does not show what those tokens are worth. Two things can shrink the real gain: inflation and price changes.
Inflation comes first. Networks create new tokens to pay stakers, which adds to the total supply. Diamond Pigs gives a simple case: a network with 8% inflation and a 10% APY leaves a real yield near 2%.
The reverse can also hold. A network paying 3% with very low inflation may reward holders more in real terms than one paying 10% with high inflation.
Price changes matter even more. Diamond Pigs says a 10% APY on a token that falls 40% still means a large loss in dollar terms. The math supports that. A 10% reward on a token that drops 40% leaves you down about 34%.
Figure 3: Net dollar result of a 10% staking reward under four price scenarios.
Table 3: A 10% staking reward under different price moves
Token price change
Staking reward
Net result in dollars
+20%
10%
+32%
No change
10%
+10%
-20%
10%
-12%
-40%
10%
-34%
The Medium analysis uses the same method. It multiplies the price change by the reward rate to find the real return. A staking rate is only half of the equation.
Rewards are also paid in the staked token. This means they are not income in the same way bank interest is. They are more units of an asset whose price can move either way.
How Much Can You Earn Each Month?
Rewards come from a few places. Kraken lists three: rewards paid by the protocol for validating, priority fees (tips) that users pay for faster transactions, and MEV, which is extra value validators earn by ordering transactions. Tips and MEV change with network activity, so they are hard to predict.
Freshminers names five things that set your monthly income: the APY, the amount you stake, network inflation, validator performance and market conditions. Poor validators can miss rewards or face penalties. That means the advertised rate is a ceiling for many stakers, not a guarantee.
The monthly math is simple. Divide the annual rate by 12, then multiply by the amount you stake. Freshminers shows £5,000 at 6% earning £300 a year, or £25 a month, before compounding and fees.
Freshminers also says £1,000 staked at 4% to 15% earns about £3 to £12 a month. Small balances produce small amounts. At 6%, £100 earns about 50 pence each month.
Figure 4: Monthly staking rewards on a £5,000 stake at six APY levels.
Table 4: Monthly rewards by stake size and APY (before fees)
Amount staked
4% APY
6% APY
8% APY
12% APY
£100
£0.33
£0.50
£0.67
£1.00
£1,000
£3.33
£5.00
£6.67
£10.00
£5,000
£16.67
£25.00
£33.33
£50.00
£10,000
£33.33
£50.00
£66.67
£100.00
Compounding adds a little more over time. Compounding means rewards are added to your stake so they earn rewards too. Kraken’s guide says this does not happen on its own at the protocol level, though some platforms reinvest rewards for you.
Time horizon matters too. Freshminers says short-term staking may not justify a lock-up, while long-term strategies benefit more from compound growth.
Payout timing differs by platform. Kraken says rewards are usually shown and compounded daily or weekly. Check the terms of your provider before you stake.
For most people, the size of the stake matters more than the rate. Moving from 4% to 6% on £1,000 adds about £1.67 a month. Adding £4,000 to the stake at 4% adds about £13.33 a month.
How Fees Cut Your Staking Rewards
Fees are one of the easiest costs to overlook. Freshminers says exchanges often charge 10% to 25% of staking rewards as commission. The Medium analysis puts the usual range at 8% to 10%.
The fee comes out of your rewards, not your stake. A 10% fee on a 6% reward leaves you with 5.4%. A 25% fee leaves you with 4.5%.
Figure 5: Gross APY compared with net APY after a 10% or 25% fee.
Table 5: Net APY after platform fees
Gross APY
After 10% fee
After 25% fee
3.3%
2.97%
2.48%
6%
5.40%
4.50%
12%
10.80%
9.00%
On £5,000, a 6% reward is £25 a month before fees. After a 10% fee it is £22.50. After a 25% fee it is £18.75.
The gap grows with a bigger stake. On £10,000 at 6%, the monthly reward is £50 before fees, £45 after a 10% fee and £37.50 after a 25% fee. Over a year, the 25% fee costs £150 in rewards.
Network fees can add to the cost. Freshminers notes that claiming or restaking rewards can carry its own charge. Some validators also add service fees.
Staking Rewards makes a related point. Two providers advertising the same rate can leave you with different amounts once commission is taken. That is why its calculator shows the net figure.
Kraken adds that its projected annual rate is shown before commission and can change. Always check whether a rate is gross or net.
What Past Price Moves Did to Staking Returns
The Medium analysis tested six assets over six months, from December 2019 to June 2020. The author multiplied each price change by the nominal reward rate. Fees and compounding were left out.
The results were uneven. Tezos gained 135.6% as its price rose from $1.29 to $2.88. Cosmos lost 20.6% even with an 8.34% reward rate.
Figure 6: Six-month staking returns for six assets, December 2019 to June 2020. Source: Medium analysis.
Table 6: Six-month staking results, December 2019 to June 2020
Asset
Nominal rate
Price change
Result
Tezos (XTZ)
5.65%
+123%
+135.6%
Cosmos (ATOM)
8.34%
-26.7%
-20.6%
Synthetix (SNX)
53.66%
-38.6%
-5.7%
V.Systems (VSYS)
12.89%
-52.9%
-46.8%
USD Neutrino (USDN)
10.1%
No change
+10.1%
USD Coin (USDC)
2.3%
No change
+2.3%
Among the four volatile coins, only one finished with a gain. Synthetix paid a 53.66% rate and still lost 5.7%. V.Systems lost 46.8% as its price fell by more than half.
The two stablecoin examples gained, but by less. USD Neutrino showed 10.1%, or $1,010 on $10,000. USD Coin showed 2.3%, or $230.
The author applied the nominal rates directly to the six-month window. The author also noted that USDN staking was not available six months earlier. Keep both points in mind when you read the numbers.
The author also gave dollar results for a $10,000 stake. Tezos would have returned $13,560. Cosmos would have lost $2,600, Synthetix $507 and V.Systems $4,680, all before platform fees.
This data is several years old, so it does not predict today’s returns. It does show a pattern: price moves can outweigh the reward rate in either direction.
Lock-Ups, Drawdowns and Platform Risk
Lock-up periods limit your ability to react. Cosmos requires 21 days to unbond, according to Diamond Pigs. Solana takes about 2 to 3 days, and Ethereum takes 1 to 4 days according to Freshminers.
Freshminers says Cardano allows immediate unstaking. Liquid staking tokens can be sold at any time, but Freshminers warns they may trade at a small discount to the staked asset.
Table 7: Unstaking times by network
Network
Unstaking time
Source
Cardano
Immediate
Freshminers
Ethereum
1 to 4 days (queue varies)
Freshminers, Diamond Pigs
Solana
About 2 to 3 days
Diamond Pigs
Cosmos
21 days
Diamond Pigs
Drawdowns make waiting costly. Diamond Pigs says established crypto assets can fall 70% or more in bear markets. A locked position cannot be moved during that time.
Recovery math is harsh. A 50% loss needs a 100% gain to break even. A 70% loss needs a gain of about 233%.
Figure 7: Gain needed to get back to break even after a price drop.
Platform risk is the second concern. Diamond Pigs points to the platform failures of 2022 and 2023 as proof that exchange custody carries real risk. Staking through a smart contract adds the chance of code bugs.
Slashing is a third risk. Validators that act dishonestly or go offline can lose part of the staked amount. Kraken says the risk is small when you use a reputable platform, but it exists.
Tax is the last cost to plan for. Freshminers says staking rewards are usually taxed as income at their market value when received. You can owe tax even if the price later falls.
Custody rules differ by method. Exchange staking means the exchange holds your coins. Delegated staking on networks such as Solana and Cosmos is non-custodial, according to Diamond Pigs, but it still carries validator risk.
Product terms can also limit what you earn. Kraken’s disclosures say its flexible staking pays rewards on up to 50% of the assets you choose to stake. Read the fine print on every platform.
Kraken also states that staking rewards are not guaranteed. Validator uptime, total coins staked and network conditions can all change what you earn.
What a Realistic Range Looks Like
Diamond Pigs says a realistic range for most retail stakers is 3% to 8% APY in token terms. The real yield after inflation is lower. Fees come on top of that.
Here are three simple cases for a £5,000 stake. They use the rates and fees from the sources above. They do not include price changes, compounding or tax.
Table 8: Three cases on a £5,000 stake
Case
Gross APY
Fee
Net APY
Per year
Per month
Low
3%
25%
2.25%
£112.50
£9.38
Middle
5.5%
10%
4.95%
£247.50
£20.63
High
8%
10%
7.2%
£360.00
£30.00
Figure 8: Net monthly rewards on a £5,000 stake in a low, middle and high case.
Even the high case pays about £30 a month on £5,000. The low case pays under £10. A 5% price move on the stake is £250, which is more than two years of rewards in the low case.
Diamond Pigs sets out three conditions for staking to make sense. You already hold the asset for the long term, you believe in the network, and you do not need cash during the lock-up window. If one of those is missing, the case gets weaker.
It lists cases where staking does not fit. These include chasing yield in a coin you would not otherwise hold, a lock-up longer than your cash needs, and a platform that takes custody of your coins. Staking also does not protect against a price decline, because rewards build slowly.
Staking tends to suit people who plan to hold the coin for years, believe in the network and do not need quick access to cash. Diamond Pigs and Freshminers both describe this profile. For short time horizons, the lock-up and price risk often outweigh the rewards.
Stablecoin lending and simply holding are the main alternatives. Each has its own platform and counterparty risks. The best choice depends on your goals.
Key Takeaways
Advertised staking rates run from about 3% to 19%, but most retail stakers see 3% to 8% in token terms.
Inflation can cut a 10% headline rate to a real yield near 2%.
Platform fees of 8% to 25% come out of your rewards.
On £5,000, a 6% reward pays about £25 a month before fees.
Price moves can outweigh rewards. In the 2019 to 2020 sample, only one of four volatile coins finished with a gain.
Lock-ups, custody risk, slashing and tax all affect what you keep.
Sources
Is crypto staking actually worth it? An honest answer (Diamond Pigs)
How much can you earn from crypto staking monthly? (Freshminers)
Crypto Staking Calculator (Staking Rewards)
How much can you really earn with crypto staking? We’ve calculated the ROI (Jacksmithwriter, Medium)
Bitcoin staking rewards explained (Kraken Learn)
The post How Much Can You Realistically Make From Crypto Staking? appeared first on Blockonomi .
