How to Stake Solana (SOL): Native vs Liquid Staking Explained
Some links are affiliate links: if you sign up through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Not financial advice.
Staking means delegating your SOL to a validator, one of the computers that run the Solana network. In return you receive a share of network rewards. Your SOL stays in your control; it’s never sent to the validator.
Reward rates change constantly and aren't guaranteed. Nothing here is financial advice.
Two ways to stake
| Native staking | Liquid staking | |
|---|---|---|
| How | Your wallet creates a stake account delegated to a validator | You swap SOL for a staking token (e.g. JitoSOL, mSOL) that grows in value |
| Getting out | Unstake, then wait for the current epoch to end (usually 2–3 days) | Swap the token back to SOL any time (small swap cost) |
| Extra risk | Low: you rely on the validator staying online | Also relies on the staking protocol’s smart contracts |
| Good for | Long-term holders | People who might need their SOL quickly |
Native staking, step by step
Both Phantom and Solflare can do it:
- Open your SOL balance → Stake (Phantom) or Stake on the home screen (Solflare).
- Pick a validator. Look at its commission (the cut it keeps from rewards) and that it’s been reliably online. Spreading stake to smaller, reliable validators helps decentralize the network.
- Enter the amount and approve.
Your stake becomes active at the start of the next epoch, and rewards are added to the stake account every epoch after that.
Keep some SOL unstaked for transaction fees. A stake account also holds back a tiny amount of SOL as a rent deposit, which you get back when you close it.
Unstaking
Choose Unstake on the stake account. The SOL unlocks when the epoch ends (usually 2–3 days); then Withdraw it back to your wallet balance.
Staking on an exchange
Some exchanges offer SOL staking in some countries. It’s easier, but the exchange holds your SOL and keeps a larger cut. Staking from your own wallet keeps you in control.
Risks to understand
- Price risk: rewards are paid in SOL. If SOL’s price falls, you can lose money in dollar terms even while earning rewards.
- Validator risk: if your validator goes offline, you earn less. Pick reliable ones.
- Liquid staking: adds smart-contract risk on top.
- Taxes: in the US and Canada, staking rewards are generally taxable. Keep records.
Related: Phantom vs Solflare · What to do with SOL