IntelOracle

Staking

Staking, without the sales pitch.

Staking means locking coins to help a network run, and getting paid in more coins for it. Here is how it works, the two ways to do it, and everything the reward banners leave out.

A phone showing a crypto app on a dark surface

How it works in one minute

Some blockchains, like Ethereum, are secured by people who lock up coins as a deposit. Those people (validators) check transactions. If they do the job honestly, the network pays them new coins. If they cheat or go offline, the network can take part of the deposit. That penalty is called slashing.

When you stake, you are either running that job yourself or, far more often, handing your coins to someone who does it for you and shares the reward.

The two ways to stake

Through an exchangeYourself, from a wallet
EffortA few tapsA wallet, some setup, and reading
Who holds the keysThe exchangeYou
FeesThe exchange keeps a cut of rewardsLower, or a validator commission
Main riskThe company, and the rules where you liveYour own mistakes, lost keys, bad validators

What the reward banners leave out

Exchanges that offer staking

What each company says about staking for US users, from its own pages.

Coinbase

Custodial exchange

A US-listed exchange and brokerage where you buy, sell, convert and stake crypto through a custodial account.

Fees
Simple buys include a spread plus a separate Coinbase fee that depends on payment method, order size and asset. Simple limit orders add a 1% execution fee. Fees show on the preview screen before you confirm.
US availability
Available in the US. Coinbase does not publish a state exclusion list for trading. Staking is offered in most jurisdictions, including New York.
Beginner fit
The widest set of US funding options: bank, debit card, PayPal, wire, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Good

  • Funding options for US users include ACH, debit card, PayPal, wire and Apple/Google/Samsung Pay
  • Two-factor authentication is auto-enrolled with security key support
  • Staking available in most jurisdictions, including New York per Coinbase

Watch out

  • Simple buys include a spread plus a separate Coinbase fee that varies by payment method
  • Simple limit orders add a 1% execution fee on top of the Coinbase fee
  • Staking commission is 35% of rewards for standard members on major assets

Kraken

Custodial exchange

An exchange with a simple app for instant buys and Kraken Pro for order-book trading.

Fees
Instant and recurring buys cost 1% plus a spread; custom orders 1.5%. Kraken Pro uses lower maker and taker fees. Kraken+ members get app trading fees waived on up to $10,000 a month.
US availability
Not available to residents of New York or Maine. Fiat transfers are unavailable in Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Utah. Staking only in listed states, not including California or Texas.
Beginner fit
Publishes periodic proof of reserves that account holders can verify themselves.

Good

  • Kraken+ waives app trading fees on up to $10,000 of monthly volume
  • Kraken Pro maker-taker fees for users who outgrow instant buys
  • Periodic Proof of Reserves that account holders can verify

Watch out

  • Not available to residents of New York or Maine
  • Instant and recurring buys cost 1% plus a spread, custom orders 1.5%
  • Staking limited to listed states, excluding large ones such as California and Texas

Gemini

Custodial exchange

A New York trust-chartered exchange and custodian with an app for instant buys and ActiveTrader for maker-taker trading.

Fees
Instant and recurring orders include a spread plus a fee that depends on payment method and order size. ACH and wire deposits are free; debit card purchases cost 3.49% and PayPal deposits 2.50%.
US availability
Available in the US, including New York. Staking is offered in certain US jurisdictions; check New York status in the app.
Beginner fit
Two-factor authentication is required on every account, and New York residents can use it.

Good

  • Licensed as a New York trust company and available to New York residents
  • 2FA required on every account and SOC 1 Type 2 / SOC 2 Type 2 compliance stated
  • ACH and wire deposits are free

Watch out

  • Debit card purchases carry a 3.49% fee and PayPal deposits 2.50%
  • Instant and recurring orders include a spread on top of fees
  • Debit card and PayPal purchases capped at $1,000 per day

Crypto.com

Custodial exchange

An app-first platform for buying, selling and staking 400+ tokens, with a paid Level Up membership that waives trading fees up to a limit.

Fees
Zero trading fees up to the limit of your Level Up tier, but spreads and other transaction fees may apply. USD deposits are free. Instant debit card purchases usually carry a percentage fee.
US availability
Available in 49 US states plus Puerto Rico and Guam; not available in New York. Staking is unavailable in New York, California, Maryland, New Jersey and Wisconsin.
Beginner fit
The biggest token catalog here, which is also a reason to be careful about what you click.

Good

  • Available in 49 US states plus Puerto Rico and Guam
  • Large catalog: 400+ tokens in the app
  • Zero-fee USD deposits and zero trading fees within Level Up tier limits

Watch out

  • Not available to New York residents
  • Staking excluded in California, Maryland, New Jersey, Wisconsin and New York
  • Fee waiver depends on a paid Level Up tier, and spreads still apply

Robinhood Crypto

Custodial exchange

Crypto trading inside the Robinhood investing app, with commission-free default routing.

Fees
No commission on default routing, which sends orders to market makers that pay Robinhood volume rebates. Optional exchange routing charges maker and taker fees from 0.95% taker on small accounts.
US availability
Available in every US state, DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands; some coins cannot be traded in New York or Texas. Staking (SOL, ETH, ADA) excludes California, Maryland, New Jersey and Wisconsin.
Beginner fit
Buy from $1, in an app many people already have for stocks.

Good

  • Available in every US state, DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands
  • No commission on default market-maker routing and a $1 minimum
  • Crypto, stocks and banking in one app

Watch out

  • Default routing earns Robinhood volume rebates from market makers
  • Exchange Routing fees start at 0.95% taker for small accounts
  • Staking limited to three assets and excluded in four states, with a 25% commission

Questions people ask

Can I lose money staking?

Yes. The coin's price can fall by more than the reward, some networks penalise validators, and lock-up periods can stop you selling. Read the risk disclaimer before staking anything.

Is staking available in the United States?

It depends on the exchange and the state. Each partner row above says what their official page states, with the date we checked.