Cardano Staking
Cardano is a research-driven blockchain with a large staking community. Delegation is non-custodial with no lock-up — your ADA stays in your wallet and earns rewards every epoch (5 days).
How much can you earn?
Estimate your rewards from staking Cardano.
Best places to stake ADA
Best places to stake Cardano (ADA)
| Platform | APR | Min. Stake | Lock Period | Insurance | Non-Custodial | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DA Daedalus WalletTop pick | ★3.50% | Any | None | View → | ||
YO Yoroi Wallet | ★3.50% | Any | None | View → | ||
CO Coinbase | 2.60% | Any | Flexible | View → | ||
BI Binance | 2.90% | 1 ADA | Flexible | View → | ||
KR Kraken | 3.00% | Any | Flexible | View → |
⚠️ Affiliate disclosure: Some links above may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend platforms we've evaluated for safety and reliability.
How to stake Cardano
Get a Cardano wallet
Download Daedalus (full node, desktop) or Yoroi (light wallet, browser/mobile). Both are official Cardano wallets.
Buy or transfer ADA
Purchase ADA on any major exchange and withdraw to your wallet. There's no minimum amount required.
Delegate to a stake pool
In your wallet, browse stake pools and pick one. Your ADA stays in your wallet — delegation is non-custodial. Look for pools with low fees and consistent block production.
Earn every epoch
Rewards are distributed every 5 days (epoch). They auto-compound since your rewards are added to your delegated balance.
Common questions about Cardano staking
Is staking Cardano safe?
Staking Cardano carries smart contract risk, validator risk, and market risk. Using reputable platforms like those listed above reduces smart contract risk. Validator risk means you could get "slashed" if your validator misbehaves — but major platforms have safeguards. Market risk (price fluctuation) always applies.
What is the difference between APR and APY?
APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is the simple annual yield. APY (Annual Percentage Yield) accounts for compounding — reinvesting rewards to earn more. If rewards are compounded daily, APY will be slightly higher than APR.
Can I unstake anytime?
It depends on the platform. Liquid staking platforms (like Lido or Marinade) let you exit instantly. Native staking has an unbonding period that varies by network.