Bitcoin explained
Are you looking for ways to make your crypto more useful? You can earn passive income by staking crypto that you already own. Here are the facts:
What is stake?
Staking refers to the pledge of crypto to secure and verify transactions on a Blockchain. You will receive rewards from the network in return.
Staking has many benefits
Staking crypto has many benefits:
- Passive income. You can earn passive income by taking part in stakes.
- Returns. If you have a staking wallet, it may offer a greater return on your investment (ROI).
- Participation. You can help the network you believe to grow by supporting it.
- Low-cost. Because staking does not require specialized equipment and requires less computing power, you can earn more rewards from it than by mining.
There are risks associated with staking
Before you stake your crypto, there are some things to be aware of:
- Volatility. Your staked assets’ value can fluctuate just like any other cryptocurrency asset.
- Loss control. Once your assets are staked, they will not be accessible until you untake them. This usually takes a certain amount of time.
- Slashing. A validator who sends in invalid transactions may be penalized by the network. This is done to discourage bad behavior within the network.
Proof-of-stake vs. proof-of-work
Only cryptocurrency networks that use the proof of stake model as their consensus mechanism can take part in stake. A consensus mechanism is a process that a blockchain network uses in order to verify transactions, process payments, and add blocks to its chain.
The most popular consensus mechanisms for cryptocurrencies are Proof-of-work and Proof-of-Stake.
Proof-of-work
PoW is the preferred method for early cryptos such as Bitcoin.
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Participants compete in PoW systems to solve complicated mathematical problems. The person who solves the problem first adds the next block to a chain and gets rewarded. PoW requires miners to operate powerful computers 24 hours a day. This is why it is very energy-intensive.
The key to winning the block reward is “outcomputing” other people.
Proof-of-stake
PoS is an eco-friendly method to verify transactions
Participants pledge crypto assets in PoS systems to verify and secure transactions on the network. Your chances of getting the next block added to the chain are higher the more assets you stake.
This process does not require any specialized hardware or additional computing power.
PoS systems have different stake rules than PoW systems. Some PoS networks require that participants lock up their stake rewards for a certain period of time. Others allow stakers the freedom to claim their rewards when they are earned.
Staking, in short, allows you to support a blockchain network and receive passive rewards without having to expend a lot of energy.
How to stake your claim
You stake your crypto by holding it in a network-connected wallet called a “staking wallet”.
After your staking wallet has been set up and your crypto has been deposited, a “bonding time” occurs. During this period, the crypto will be locked and not eligible for rewards. Once you have secured the network, the reward distribution can begin.
The staking rules for the network you are helping will determine the size of the rewards.
Some networks offer stakers a fixed incentive for adding blocks to the chain. Others give stakers a portion of the transaction fees associated the block.
Many wallets that accept staking will give you information about how much you can earn in rewards and how long it will take.
FAQ about Staking
What are my potential rewards?
How much you stake and which token you are using to stake will determine the amount of rewards that you receive. As of the Merge, many estimate Ethereum’s rewards to be around 5-6%.
Why can’t all my crypto be staked?
Many cryptos, such as bitcoin, dogecoin and litecoin, don’t require proof-of-stake in order to verify their networks. You can’t stake them. These cryptocurrencies are secured by proof-of-work processes such as mining.
What cryptos allow staking?
Many cryptocurrencies allow for staking such as:
- Ethereum made possible by the Ethereum Fusion
- Avalanche
- Solana
- Polkadot
- More
What tax is staking rewards?
Most places tax staking rewards as income. For details about your area, consult an accountant or financial professional.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
There is always risk when purchasing crypto. Cryptocurrency’s value can fluctuate, and the capital involved in crypto transactions is susceptible to market volatility.
Digital currencies are not bank deposits and are not legal tender. They are also not backed or guaranteed by the government. Blockchain.com products and services do not fall under any government-backed deposit protection scheme. Any legislative or regulatory change in any jurisdiction where Blockchain.com customers are located could adversely impact the use, transfer and exchange of digital currencies.
source https://medium.com/blockchain/staking-explained-6ba391c08ff5