Best Crypto Staking Platforms 2025: APY Comparison
Earn passive income on your crypto holdings. We compare staking yields across major exchanges, but watch out—the "exchange tax" can eat 15-35% of your rewards.
Quick Answer
For US users: Coinbase offers the most accessible staking (available in 46+ states), but takes a 25-35% cut of rewards. Binance.US offers competitive rates but has state restrictions.
Important: Kraken halted US staking after SEC action. Non-US users have more options with better rates.
US Staking Is Complicated in 2025
The SEC has cracked down on "staking-as-a-service." Here's the current landscape:
- • Kraken: Permanently halted US staking (SEC settlement)
- • Coinbase: Available but banned in CA, MD, NJ, WI
- • Bitstamp: No US staking
- • Binance.US: Available in ~40 states
Staking APY Comparison by Coin
Exchanges take a cut of your staking rewards (the "exchange tax"). Here's what you actually receive after their fees:
| Coin | Protocol Yield | Coinbase | Binance.US | Crypto.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ETH
Ethereum
|
~3.29% | 2.0-4.25% | 1.90% | 2.0-4.0% |
|
SOL
Solana
|
~6.77-9.9% | 4.0-5.5% | 6.40% | 4.0-6.0% |
|
ADA
Cardano
|
~2.44-3.0% | 2.0-3.0% | 2.30% | 1.0-3.0% |
|
DOT
Polkadot
|
~12.04% | 6.0-9.0% | 9.10% | 6.0-10.0% |
|
ATOM
Cosmos
|
~21.16% | 5.0-8.0% | 13.80% | 5.0-10.0% |
|
MATIC
Polygon
|
~4-5% | 2.0-4.0% | 3.50% | 2.0-4.0% |
* APY rates fluctuate based on network conditions and exchange policies. Data as of December 2025.
Staking Platform Breakdown
Coinbase
Best for US Accessibility
✓ Pros
- • Most US states supported
- • Liquid staking (cbETH) for ETH
- • No minimum for most assets
- • Simple one-click staking
✗ Cons
- • 25-35% commission cut
- • Not available in CA, MD, NJ, WI
- • Lower yields than competitors
The Exchange Tax: Coinbase takes 25-35% of your staking rewards. If Ethereum's protocol yield is 3.29%, you might only receive 2.0-2.5% after Coinbase's cut.
Binance.US
Best APY Rates (Where Available)
✓ Pros
- • Highest APY among US exchanges
- • 13.80% on ATOM, 9.10% on DOT
- • Flexible and locked options
- • Lower commission than Coinbase
✗ Cons
- • Not available in NY, TX, and others
- • Regulatory uncertainty
- • 3-day processing + unbonding time
Best for: Users in available states who want maximum yield. Binance.US's ATOM (13.80%) and DOT (9.10%) rates significantly beat Coinbase.
Crypto.com
Best Tiered Rewards System
✓ Pros
- • Higher rates with CRO staking
- • Flexible and 1-3 month terms
- • 40+ stakeable assets
- • Pairs well with crypto card
✗ Cons
- • Best rates require CRO lockup
- • Confusing tier system
- • Longer lock-ups for top rates
Tip: Crypto.com's rates improve significantly if you stake CRO. Without CRO staking, rates are comparable to Coinbase.
Kraken (US Staking Halted)
Following a $30M SEC settlement in February 2023, Kraken permanently shut down its US staking program. Kraken historically offered some of the best rates (4-7% ETH with no fees), but US customers can no longer access this service.
Non-US users: Kraken staking remains available and competitive outside the United States.
The "Exchange Tax" Explained
When you stake through an exchange, they take a cut of your rewards. This "service fee" typically ranges from 15-35%—a substantial hidden cost.
Real Example: $10,000 in Ethereum Staked for 1 Year
Protocol Yield (3.29%)
$329
If you ran your own validator
Coinbase (~2.5%)
$250
~24% less than protocol
Binance.US (1.90%)
$190
~42% less than protocol
You're paying $79-139/year in hidden fees on just $10,000 staked. On larger amounts, this adds up significantly.
💡 Is the Exchange Tax Worth It?
For most people, yes. Running your own validator requires 32 ETH (~$100K+), technical expertise, and 24/7 uptime. The exchange fee is the cost of convenience and not having to manage infrastructure. Think of it like paying a fund manager vs. picking your own stocks.
Lock-Up Periods & Unbonding Times
Staking isn't instant liquidity. Most platforms and protocols require waiting periods to unstake:
| Asset | Protocol Unbonding | Exchange Processing | Total Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethereum (ETH) | Variable (days-weeks) | 1-3 days | 1-21+ days |
| Solana (SOL) | ~2-3 days | 1-3 days | 3-6 days |
| Cosmos (ATOM) | 21 days | 1-3 days | 22-24 days |
| Polkadot (DOT) | 28 days | 1-3 days | 29-31 days |
| Cardano (ADA) | ~2-3 epochs (~10 days) | 1-3 days | 11-13 days |
⚠️ Plan Ahead
If you might need your funds quickly, staking may not be ideal. ATOM and DOT have 21-28 day unbonding periods—your crypto is locked during this time and not earning rewards.
Liquid Staking: Have Your Cake and Eat It Too?
Liquid staking lets you stake while maintaining liquidity. You receive a token representing your staked assets that can be traded or used in DeFi.
Coinbase cbETH
- ✓ Receive cbETH when you stake ETH
- ✓ Can sell cbETH anytime on Coinbase
- ✓ Value appreciates as rewards accrue
- ⚠️ May trade at slight discount to ETH
DeFi Alternatives (Advanced)
- → Lido (stETH) - largest liquid staking
- → Rocket Pool (rETH) - decentralized
- → Typically lower fees than exchanges
- ⚠️ Requires DeFi knowledge & self-custody
Frequently Asked Questions
Is crypto staking safe?
Staking on reputable exchanges (Coinbase, Binance.US) is relatively safe, but not risk-free. Risks include: exchange hacks, slashing (validator penalties), and regulatory changes. Your staked crypto is also locked and can lose value during the unbonding period.
Do I pay taxes on staking rewards?
In the US, staking rewards are generally taxed as income when received. You'll owe income tax on the fair market value at the time of receipt. When you later sell, you may also owe capital gains tax. Consult a tax professional.
Can I lose money staking?
Yes. While staking generates rewards, the underlying crypto can lose value. A 5% APY doesn't help if the coin drops 30%. "Slashing" (validator penalties) can also reduce your staked amount, though this is rare on major exchanges.
Why did Kraken stop US staking?
The SEC argued Kraken's staking program was an unregistered security offering. Kraken settled for $30M and agreed to permanently halt US staking. Coinbase restructured its program to avoid similar classification, but some states still ban it.
The Bottom Line
For US users, Coinbase offers the widest accessibility for staking, though rates are lower due to their 25-35% cut. If you're in an available state, Binance.US offers better APY rates, especially for ATOM and DOT.
Remember: staking rewards don't protect against price drops. Only stake crypto you plan to hold long-term, and understand the unbonding periods before committing.
Compare All ExchangesLast updated: December 18, 2025
Data sources: Coinbase, Binance.US, Crypto.com, eToro, Koinly, Milk Road