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Crypto staking is a way to use crypto holdings to generate rewards while helping to validate transactions. While “staking” may be a relatively new addition to the financial lexicon, it’s important for those interested in crypto to understand what it is, how it works, and what cryptocurrencies it can be used to obtain.

Crypto staking may feel like it’s a step beyond simply learning how to buy cryptocurrencies or how a crypto exchange works, but learning about cryptocurrency staking can broaden your knowledge of the crypto ecosystem, making you more informed about your options.

What Is Crypto Staking?

Crypto staking is the process of “locking up” crypto holdings on a blockchain network in order to try and obtain rewards. There may be time limits or requirements depending on the specific blockchain network, and rewards can vary significantly, but are typically a percentage of the coins staked.

Cryptocurrencies are built with blockchain technology, in which crypto transactions are verified, and the resulting data is stored on the blockchain. Depending on the types of cryptocurrency you’re working with and its supporting technologies, these validation processes may involve staking, using a “proof-of-stake” consensus mechanism, or mining, using a “proof-of-work” consensus mechanism. Each of these processes help crypto networks achieve consensus, or confirmation that all of the transaction data adds up to what it should.

Staking vs Mining: What’s the Difference?

Staking crypto generates rewards and helps a crypto network validate information on the blockchain, using the cryptocurrency stakers locked up on the network. Crypto mining has the same goal, but the consensus needed to verify transactions is achieved in a different way.^[2]

Effectively, mining involves using computing power to solve mathematical problems and equations to open up new blocks on a blockchain, for which miners are then rewarded. Mining requires significantly more computing power and resources, but effectively, both staking and mining are trying to achieve the same ends of validating information and producing new “blocks.”

The Role of Proof of Stake (PoS)

Achieving consensus and validating information on a blockchain requires participants. That’s what staking is: individuals who actively hold onto, or lock up their crypto holdings in their crypto wallet, may participate in these networks’ consensus-taking processes. Stakers are, in essence, approving and verifying transactions on the blockchain.

For doing so, the networks reward those individuals. The specific rewards will depend on the network.

It may be helpful to think of crypto staking as similar to depositing cash in a savings account. The depositor earns interest on their money while it’s in the bank, as a reward from the bank, who uses the money for other purposes (lending, etc.). Staking coins is, from that perspective, similar to earning interest. Although cryptocurrency holdings could potentially lose value as the market ebbs and flows, too.

How Does Crypto Staking Work?

Crypto staking is typically a passive activity, unless you actively run a blockchain validator node. When someone stakes their holdings (typically by locking them in a wallet through a crypto staking platform), the network can use those holdings to forge new blocks on the blockchain.

The more crypto you’re staking, the better the odds are that your holdings will be selected to validate information and new blocks, and a lot of that depends on the specific blockchain network you’re staking on.

Essentially, during a transaction, information is “written” into the new block, and the staker’s holdings are used to validate it. Since coins already have “baked in” data from the blockchain, they can be used as validators. Then, for allowing those holdings to be used as validators, the network rewards the staker.

How to Start Crypto Staking

To start crypto staking, a person needs to decide where and what they want to stake. Here are four simple steps to get started.

1. Choosing a Proof-of-Stake Cryptocurrency

To begin staking cryptocurrency independently, a user would have to decide which coin they want to stake and buy their cryptocurrency of choice.

Ethereum (ETH), for example, requires a minimum of 32 ETH (worth about $123,000 at the time of writing) for users to begin staking.^[3]

2. Choosing a Staking Platform

You may be able to stake crypto through an exchange network, through a staking service, or directly through the cryptocurrency itself.

3. Choosing Your Wallet and Hardware

Typically, after choosing a platform, you would then download a crypto wallet in which to store your coins for staking. That may mean going directly to the specific crypto’s main website and downloading its corresponding wallet.

To stake crypto, users need a constant, uninterrupted internet connection. A standard dedicated desktop computer will likely do the job, although a Raspberry Pi might save on electrical costs.

4. Begin Staking

Once the hardware has been selected and the crypto wallet software downloaded, a user can begin staking cryptocurrency.

For those holding the appropriate crypto in an exchange-hosted crypto wallet, the exchange typically handles all the staking on the backend.

Depending on the specific crypto, wallet, or exchange network, that may be all the action a person needs to take. But it’s a good idea to double-check to see if additional steps need to be taken.

What Are the Different Ways to Stake Crypto?

There are also a few different ways to stake crypto.

Staking on an Exchange

Perhaps one of the simplest ways to stake crypto is to do so through your given exchange. Many crypto exchanges give people the option to stake, and in those cases, depending on the exchange, they may simply need to select the option to stake, lock up their holdings, and let the rewards generate.

Delegated Staking and Staking Pools

Aside from an exchange, stakers may be able to delegate their crypto holdings to pools, which will allow them to generate rewards, too. This can’t be done for every cryptocurrency, but for those that do have delegated staking and pooling built into their networks, it can be a way to stake directly to a validator or delegate.

Running Your Own Validator Node

If you’re really feeling up for it and want to get more deeply involved on a specific blockchain network, you could look at running your own validator node, also referred to as solo staking. Note, however, that doing so likely requires some significant background knowledge, and there’s the potential of making mistakes. It could also require some hardware that could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

The Pros and Cons of Crypto Staking

There are some pros and cons to staking crypto.

The Benefits of Staking

Here are a few of the potential benefits of staking:

•   Less energy-intensive. PoS networks use less energy than PoW platforms. Each mining machine requires a constant supply of electricity and consumes much more power than a regular computer. But it’s possible to run validator nodes on an average computer, eating up fewer resources, to power your staking activity

•   Easier to earn rewards. Crypto staking and mining rewards can be very different. Almost anyone can stake a small amount of crypto on a crypto exchange and earn some kind of yield. To become a miner, however, often requires a much bigger commitment. First, you’d need to acquire the proper computer, which can be costly; then you’d need to learn to use it, which can be time-consuming.

•   No special equipment required. Anyone can become a validator using a regular computer, assuming they have enough money and can keep the node running constantly. By contrast, mining requires specialized hardware.

The Risks of Staking

Conversely, there are some risks of staking that individuals should know about.

•   Different security measures. PoS is relatively new compared to PoW. It’s not necessarily unsafe, but it’s also not inherently more secure than PoW, either. There are different security measures in place, and a lot of that depends on the specific network as well.

•   Potential for takeover. Crypto blockchain networks may be controlled by those who hold the majority (or 51%) of tokens. While attacking a PoW network would involve acquiring large amounts of computing power, in many cases, attacking a PoS network could only require funding (again, depending on the specific network). Smaller blockchain networks are generally more vulnerable to a PoS “51% attack,” where attackers may try to manipulate transactions to their own advantage. However, PoS networks may also provide some inherent protection against these attacks. For example, attackers attempting such an attack risk losing the entire amount that’s staked.

•   Increased centralization. The creator(s) of blockchain technology intended for blockchains to be decentralized. But in some cases, PoS networks can wind up becoming more centralized because becoming a validator can be more expensive than becoming a miner. Ethereum (ETH), for example, plans to change from PoW to PoS. To become an ETH validator would require 32 ETH (or around $123,000 as of summer 2025). Many centralized exchanges have chosen to become validators of PoS coins to share staking rewards with their customers.

How to Choose the Best Coins for Staking in 2025

Just a few years ago, the entire concept of proof-of-stake consensus was still relatively new, and options for staking coins were few and far between. But a growing number of projects are utilizing PoS and some exchanges are making it easier than ever for users to passively earn crypto by staking their coins.

With that in mind, the list of potential cryptos to stake, and the ones offering the highest potential yields, is always changing. But here are some of the cryptos out there that are viewed as more established.

•   Ethereum (ETH): Ethereum (ETH) is one of the most popular cryptocurrencies on the market — although it is not exactly a cryptocurrency itself. Staking Ethereum on your own will require a minimum of 32 ETH. Rewards vary, too.

•   EOS (EOS): EOS is similar to Ethereum in that it’s used to support decentralized blockchain systems and projects. EOS tokens are native to the EOS blockchain, and like other cryptos, can be staked to earn rewards.

•   Tezos (XTZ): Like EOS and Ethereum, Tezos (XTZ) is an open-source blockchain network with its own native currency, with a symbol of XTZ. And it, too, can be staked on certain platforms and networks.

•   Polkadot (DOT): Polkadot is a newer cryptocurrency, created in August 2020. Polkadot is both a cryptocurrency and a protocol designed to support “parachains,” which allow different blockchains created by different developers to share information securely.

•   Avalanche (AVAX): Avalanche was created in 2020, and is one of the highest yield-producing cryptos out there for staking.

It’s important to research your options to understand whether staking a certain cryptocurrency would be right for you. Also be aware, as mentioned earlier, that SoFi does not currently offer staking services. While members will soon be able to buy, sell, and hold certain cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, other cryptocurrencies listed above may not be offered.

Factors to Consider

As with any financial transaction, it’s always important to consider the potential risks of crypto staking. As outlined, there are multiple risks to weigh, and when it comes to staking specifically, you’ll want to think about the potential staking rewards you could earn versus how your holdings could otherwise be used to generate returns.

There can be numerous things to take into account, but when it comes to staking, consider the reliability of a given crypto network, volatility, security, and opportunity costs.

Is Crypto Staking Worth It?

Anyone can earn crypto by staking cryptocurrency. But unless someone is sitting on a huge stash of proof-of-stake coins, they’re not likely to get rich from staking.

Staking rewards, as mentioned above, are in some ways similar to earning interest on funds held in a savings account. Both are a form of passive income (with the possible exception of solo staking). They don’t require a user to do anything other than holding the right assets in the right place for a given length of time. The longer a user stakes their coins, the greater potential for generating bigger rewards.

But unlike savings accounts, there are a few variables particular to proof-of-stake coins that influence how much of a staking reward users are likely to receive. Users would do well to research these factors and more when searching for the most profitable staking coins:

•   Potential reward size

•   The size of the staking pool

•   The size of holdings locked, or required to stake

Additionally, the fiat currency value of the coin being staked must also be taken into account. Assuming this value remains steady or rises, staking could potentially be profitable. But if the price of the coin falls, profits could diminish quickly.

The Takeaway

Staking is a way to use your crypto holdings or coins to earn additional rewards. It can be helpful to think of it as along the lines of funds generating interest in a savings account over time.

Essentially, coin holders allow their crypto to be used as a part of the blockchain validation process, and are rewarded by the network for the use of their assets. While there are risks to be aware of, such as the value of the cryptocurrency itself falling, staking may open up another potential avenue for generating returns.

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FAQ

How much can you earn from crypto staking?

How much you could potentially earn from crypto staking depends on the specific crypto and given return rates associated with it. Rewards can range wildly.

Is staking crypto safe?

Staking crypto comes with risk, including the risk that the cryptocurrency loses value while it’s locked, but some staking set ups may be riskier than others. As always, do some research to try and get a sense of how risky staking a specific crypto could be, as there can be some significant risks associated with certain assets.

Can you lose money by staking crypto?

It is possible to lose money by staking crypto since holdings are locked up and values can change, or there may be penalties and vulnerabilities on a given platform or within a specific blockchain network.

What is the difference between crypto staking and lending?

Staking involves earning rewards (typically in the form of cryptocurrency) by locking up your crypto holdings with a blockchain network to help it validate transactions. Lending involves lending cryptocurrency holdings to a borrower in order to earn interest. Note that crypto lending can come with the risk of the borrower not returning the borrowed holdings.

Do you have to pay taxes on staking rewards?

Yes, rewards earned from crypto staking (or crypto mining) are taxed as ordinary income. Taxpayers are required to report the fair market value of the cryptocurrency rewards in U.S. dollars at the date and time those rewards are made available to them.

The same cryptocurrency holdings may also be subject to capital gains taxes when they’re sold, exchanged for another cryptocurrency, or disposed of in another way. Capital gains and losses from those transactions must be reported to the IRS.

About the author

Samuel Becker

Sam Becker is a freelance writer and journalist based near New York City. He is a native of the Pacific Northwest, and a graduate of Washington State University, and his work has appeared in and on Fortune, CNBC, Time, and more. Read full bio.

Photo credit: iStock/FreshSplash

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One of the most common retirement plans is an IRA, or individual retirement account, which allows individuals to contribute and save money for retirement over time. The money can be withdrawn during retirement to cover living expenses and other costs.

There are several different types of IRAs. Two of the most popular types are the Roth IRA and the Traditional IRA.

Perhaps less well-known are the SEP IRA and the SIMPLE IRA. These IRAs are designed for business owners, sole proprietors, and the self-employed.

For small business owners who would like to offer their employees — and themselves — a retirement savings plan, a SEP IRA and a Simple IRA can be options to explore. According to a 2023 study by Fidelity, only 34% of small business owners offer their employees a retirement plan. This is because they believe they can’t afford to do so (48%), are too busy running their company to do it (22%), or don’t know how to start (21%). SEP or Simple IRAs are generally easy to set up and manage and have lower fees than other types of accounts.

There are a number of similarities and differences between the SEP IRA vs. the SIMPLE IRA. Exploring the pros and cons of each and comparing the two plans can help self-employed people, small business owners, and also employees make informed decisions about retirement savings.

How SEP IRAs Work

A SEP IRA, or Simplified Employee Pension IRA, is a retirement plan set up by employers, sole proprietors, and the self-employed. Although SEP IRAs can be used by any size business, they are geared towards sole proprietors and small business owners. SEP IRAs are typically easy to set up and have lower management fees than other types of retirement accounts.

Employers make contributions to the plan for their employees. They are not required to contribute to a SEP every year. This flexibility can be beneficial for businesses with fluctuating income because the employer can decide when and how much to contribute to the account.

Employers can contribute up to 25% of an employee’s annual salary or $70,000 in 2025, whichever is less. In 2026, employers can contribute up to $72,000 or 25% of an employee’s salary, whichever is less. The employer and all employees must receive the same rate of contribution.

Employees cannot make contributions to their SEP accounts.

💡 Quick Tip: All investments come with some degree of risk — and some are riskier than others. Before investing online, decide on your investment goals and how much risk you want to take.

SEP IRA Pros and Cons

There are advantages to a SEP IRA, but there are disadvantages as well. Here are some of the main benefits and drawbacks to be aware of.

Pros

The pros of a SEP IRA include:

•   A SEP IRA is an easy way for a small business owner or self-employed individual to set up a retirement plan.

•   The contribution limit is higher than that for a SIMPLE IRA. In 2025, the contribution limit is $70,000 to a SEP IRA, and in 2026, the contribution limit is $72,000.

•   Employers can deduct contributions to the account from their taxes up to certain amounts, and employees don’t have to include the contributions in their gross income. The money in the account is tax-deferred, and employees don’t pay taxes on the money until it gets withdrawn.

•   For self-employed individuals, a SEP IRA may help reduce certain taxes, such as self-employment tax.

•   An employer isn’t required to make contributions to a SEP IRA every year. This can be helpful if their business has a bad year, for example.

•   For employees, the money in a SEP is immediately 100% vested, and each employee manages their own assets and investments.

•   Having a SEP IRA does not restrict an individual from having other types of IRAs.

Cons

There are some drawbacks to a SEP IRA for employees and employers. These include:

•   Employees are not able to make contributions to their own SEP accounts.

•   Individuals cannot choose to pay taxes on the contributions in their SEP now, even if they’d like to.

•   Employers must contribute the same percentage to all employees’ SEP accounts that they contribute to their own account.

•   There are no catch-up contributions for those 50 and older.

How SIMPLE IRAs Work

SIMPLE IRAs, or Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees Individual Retirement Accounts, are set up for businesses with 100 or fewer employees. Unlike the SEP IRA, both the employer and the employees can contribute to a SIMPLE IRA.

Any employee who earns more than $5,000 per year (and has done so for any two- year period prior to the current year) is eligible to participate in a SIMPLE IRA plan. Employees contribute pre-tax dollars to their plan — and they may have the funds automatically deducted from their paychecks.

Employers are required to contribute to employee SIMPLE IRAs, and they may do so in one of two ways. They can either match employee contributions up to 3% of the employee’s annual salary, or they can make non-elective contributions whether the employee contributes or not. If they choose the second option, the employer must contribute a flat rate of 2% of the employee’s salary up to a limit of $350,000 in 2025, and up to a limit of $360,000 in 2026.

Both employer contributions and employee salary deferral contributions are tax-deductible.

As of 2025, the annual contribution limit to SIMPLE IRAs is $16,500. Workers age 50 and up can contribute an additional $3,500. In 2026, the annual contribution limit is $17,000, and workers age 50 and up can contribute an additional $4,000.

SIMPLE IRA Pros and Cons

There are benefits and drawbacks to a SIMPLE IRA.

Pros

These are some of the pros of a SIMPLE IRA:

•   A SIMPLE IRA is a way to save for retirement for yourself and your employees. And the plan is typically easy to set up.

•   Both employees and employers can make contributions.

•   Money contributed to a SIMPLE IRA may grow tax-deferred until an individual withdraws it in retirement.

•   For employees, SIMPLE IRA contributions can be deducted directly from their paychecks.

•   Employers can choose one of two ways to contribute to employees’ plans — by either matching employee contributions up to 3% of the employee’s annual salary, or making non-elective contributions of 2% of the employee’s salary up to an annual compensation limit.

•   Employees are immediately 100% vested in the SIMPLE IRA plan.

•   A SIMPLE IRA has higher contribution limits compared to a traditional or Roth IRA.

•   Catch-up contributions are allowed for those 50 and up.

Cons

SIMPLE IRAs also have some drawbacks, including:

•   A SIMPLE IRA is only for companies with 100 employees or fewer.

•   Employers are required to fund employees’ accounts.

•   The SIMPLE IRA contribution limit ($16,500 in 2025, and $17,000 in 2026) is much lower than the SEP IRA contribution limit ($70,000 in 2025, and $72,000 in 2026).

Main Differences Between SEP and Simple IRAs

While SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs share many similarities, there are some important differences between them that both employers and employees should be aware of.

Eligibility

On the employer side, a business of any size is eligible for a SEP IRA. However, SIMPLE IRAs are for businesses with no more than 100 employees.

For employees to be eligible to participate in a SIMPLE IRA, they must earn $5,000 or more annually and have done so for at least two years previously. To be eligible for a SEP IRA, an employee must have worked for the employer for at least three of the last five years and earned at least $750.

Who Can Contribute

Only employers may contribute to a SEP IRA. Employees cannot contribute to this plan.

Both employers and employees can contribute to a SIMPLE IRA. Employers are required to contribute to their employees’ plans.

Contribution limits

Employers are required to contribute to employee SIMPLE IRAs either by matching employee contributions up to 3% of the employee’s annual salary, or making non-elective contributions of 2% of the employee’s salary up to a limit of $350,000 in 2025, and up to a limit of $360,000 in 2026.

With a SEP IRA, employers can contribute up to 25% of an employee’s annual salary or $70,000 in 2025, whichever is less. In 2026, an employer can contribute up to 25% of an employee’s annual salary or $72,000, whiever is less. A business owner and all employees must receive the same rate of contribution. Employers are not required to contribute to A SEP plan every year.

Taxes

For both SEP IRAS and SIMPLE IRAs, contributions are tax deductible. Individuals typically pay taxes on the money when they withdraw it from the plan.

Vesting

All participants in SIMPLE IRAs and SEP IRAS are immediately 100% vested in the plan.

Paycheck Deductions

Employees contributing to a SIMPLE IRA can have their contributions automatically deducted from their paychecks.

Employees cannot contribute to a SEP IRA, thus there are no paycheck deductions.

Withdrawals

For both SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAS, participants may withdraw the money penalty-free at age 59 ½ . Withdrawals are taxable in the year they are taken.

If an individual makes an early withdrawal from a SEP IRA or a SIMPLE IRA, they will generally be subject to a 10% penalty. For a SIMPLE IRA, if the withdrawal is taken within the first two years of participation in the plan, the penalty is raised to 25%.

SEP IRAs may be rolled over into other IRAs or certain other retirement plans without penalty. SIMPLE IRAs are eligible for rollovers into other IRAs without penalty after two years of participation in the plan. Before then, they may only be rolled over into another SIMPLE IRA.

Here’s an at-a-glance comparison of a SEP IRA vs. SIMPLE IRA:

The Takeaway

Both the SEP IRA and the SIMPLE IRA were created to help small business owners and their employees save for retirement. Each account may benefit employers and employees in different ways.

With the SEP IRA, the employer (including a self-employed person) contributes to the plan. They are not required to contribute every year. With the SIMPLE IRA, the employer is required to contribute, and the employee may contribute but can choose not to.

In addition to these plans, there are other ways to save for retirement. For instance, individuals can contribute to their own personal retirement plans, such as a traditional or Roth IRA, to help save money for their golden years. Just be sure to be aware of the contribution limits.

Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

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Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.