In 2025, staking has taken center stage in the crypto economy — turning passive ownership into an income-generating strategy. It’s the digital-age equivalent of putting your money to work instead of leaving it to gather dust.
While trading demands timing and nerve, staking rewards patience. You lock in your coins, support blockchain security, and in return, earn a slice of network rewards.
But not all exchanges treat staking equally. Some offer higher yields but limit flexibility; others prioritize accessibility with instant rewards. Security, reward transparency, and fee structures vary widely across platforms. For long-term investors, finding a balance between yield and trust is key.
We’ve reviewed the top crypto exchanges for staking in 2025, evaluating each on usability, rewards, and reliability. Whether you’re staking Solana or exploring DeFi newcomers, these five platforms offer strong options to grow your crypto over time.
CEX.IO – The Overall Best Exchange for Crypto Staking
Overview
Since 2013, CEX.IO has carved a name as one of the most versatile and user-friendly platforms for investors worldwide. Available in over 185 countries, it bridges the gap between trading, earning, and spending crypto. What truly distinguishes CEX.IO in 2025 is its refined Earn ecosystem, where Crypto Staking and Savings products help users compound their holdings effortlessly.
Staking with CEX.IO feels less like speculation and more like a long-term financial strategy. It’s the type of platform that rewards patience — quite literally. With staking yields reaching up to 30% annually, depending on the asset, and a daily payout schedule, users see steady returns without micromanaging their investments.
The platform has paid over $465,000 in total staking rewards across 25,000+ clients, with a staking asset pool surpassing $42 million — numbers that speak volumes about trust and scale.
Ease of Use
CEX.IO’s mobile app and desktop platform are built for clarity. You don’t need to decode cryptic dashboards or run validator nodes; simply hold supported coins in your account, and staking starts automatically.
The experience is remarkably beginner-friendly. The staking section displays estimated annual rewards, reward coins, and even projected daily and monthly returns — so users can visualize how their assets are working for them. The app conveniently breaks this down by token; for instance, staking 100 AVAX yields roughly 5 AVAX per year, with daily earnings visible in both crypto and USD equivalents.
Navigating between staking, trading, and withdrawals is seamless, and you can stake while maintaining liquidity for future trades — ideal for investors balancing passive income and market opportunities.
Features
CEX.IO’s suite of features gives it an edge:
Crypto Staking: Rewards of up to 30% annually on assets like Cosmos (ATOM), Polkadot (DOT), and Ontology (ONT).
Crypto Savings: Flexible yield accounts with up to 5% annual returns.
Instant Buy: Allows fast purchases at market rate — perfect for users entering a staking position.
Spot and Margin Trading: With leverage up to 20×, investors can diversify and rebalance without leaving the platform.
CEX.IO Crypto Debit Card: (EEA residents only) Spend staked earnings or fiat balance instantly online and in-store.
CEX.IO Pay: Instant, zero-fee crypto transfers between users, helpful in compounding staking gains.
The platform also offers a Crypto Converter, letting users exchange crypto, fiat, or stablecoins instantly — a handy feature for moving funds between staking positions or rewards. And as a bonus for new users, CEX.IO occasionally runs promotions offering a welcome bonus crypto, helping beginners kickstart their staking portfolio without added risk.
Payment Methods
CEX.IO provides one of the industry’s broadest selections of payment methods, supporting nearly every funding preference. Users can deposit and withdraw via credit or debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), bank accounts, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Skrill, Neteller, Epay, MoneyGram, Discover, Venmo, Payoneer, Wise, and Revolut.
This flexibility allows users across continents to move funds conveniently, with automatic currency conversion where needed.
Licensing
CEX.IO adheres to PCI DSS Level 1 security protocols. These measures ensure compliance and payment safety, reinforcing CEX.IO’s reputation as a trustworthy global exchange.
With a transparent staking system, competitive yields, and exceptional accessibility, CEX.IO is a standout platform for anyone looking to make their crypto holdings truly productive in 2025.
Coinbase – Best for Accessible and Automated Staking
Overview
Founded in 2012, Coinbase has long served as the entry point into cryptocurrency for millions of users. With its clean design and compliance-driven structure, it brings legitimacy to an industry often seen as opaque. Coinbase’s staking service reflects that ethos — simple, automatic, and reliable, albeit with modest yields compared to some competitors.
Coinbase’s model focuses on accessibility. It’s the go-to platform for users who prefer consistent returns with minimal maintenance.
Ease of Use
Coinbase’s interface is among the easiest in the business. You can stake supported coins like Ethereum, Solana, or Cardano in just a few clicks. The platform automatically handles validator selection, network participation, and reward distribution.
Once staked, your balances accrue rewards passively, and earnings appear directly in your portfolio. The app provides transparency with real-time APY updates and network-based adjustments. For users staking ETH, Coinbase also offers liquid staking, allowing trading of staked ETH through its wrapped derivative, cbETH.
Features
Automated Staking: Minimal effort required; simply hold supported coins.
Coinbase Earn: Educational modules that let users earn small token rewards while learning.
Recurring Buys: Perfect for dollar-cost-averaging into staking positions.
Coinbase Wallet: Enables self-custody staking through decentralized applications.
Institutional Staking: Secure, enterprise-level staking for funds and companies.
The yields range between 3% and 8% for most supported assets, depending on network conditions.
Payment Methods
Coinbase supports ACH, SEPA, Faster Payments, wire transfers, and PayPal in select regions, along with credit and debit cards. Deposits and withdrawals are intuitive, with transparent fees displayed upfront.
Its streamlined fiat gateways make it ideal for investors who prioritize simplicity and regulatory oversight.
Licensing
Coinbase is a publicly traded company on NASDAQ (COIN) and operates as a licensed entity across multiple U.S. states. It maintains insurance on custodial holdings and adheres to stringent AML/KYC policies.
While Coinbase’s staking yields might not lead the pack, its clarity and trust factor make it one of the safest places to earn passive income from your crypto.
Binance – Best for High Variety and Flexible Staking
Overview
Binance, the global trading giant, remains a powerhouse in staking options. With hundreds of supported coins and flexible duration products, it’s a paradise for those who love choice. In 2025, Binance continues to dominate liquidity and staking diversity, offering yields ranging from 1% to over 30% depending on asset and lock-up period.
Ease of Use
Despite its depth, Binance accommodates both beginners and professionals. The Earn section clearly divides staking into “Locked” and “Flexible” options. Users can preview APYs, lock-up times, and available quotas instantly.
The Binance App streamlines the staking journey, allowing you to subscribe, redeem, or auto-renew positions on the go. For long-term investors, it’s like having a yield dashboard in your pocket.
Features
Flexible Staking: Withdraw anytime without penalties, with lower APYs.
Locked Staking: Higher yields for set durations (30, 60, 90 days).
Launchpool: Let users earn tokens from new projects by staking existing assets.
Dual Investment: Combines staking with market-linked returns.
Binance Academy: Educational tools for investors exploring yield mechanics.
Yields vary widely but can reach impressive highs, especially for emerging proof-of-stake (PoS) projects.
Payment Methods
Binance supports bank transfers, credit/debit cards, SEPA, Faster Payments, and localized P2P options. Its network of regional partners ensures low deposit and withdrawal friction.
Fiat and crypto transfers between Binance accounts remain free, adding efficiency for users reinvesting staking rewards.
Licensing
Binance’s structure includes licensed entities in France, Italy, and Australia, with Binance.US handling American operations. Despite its global complexity, it continues to expand compliance frameworks and publish proof-of-reserves data to reassure users.
For those who prioritize high yields and coin selection, Binance remains unmatched in flexibility and innovation.
Kraken – Best for Transparent and Secure Staking
Overview
Kraken, one of the industry’s oldest and most respected exchanges, brings a level of rigor and trust rarely seen elsewhere. Its staking program, built on institutional-grade infrastructure, is straightforward yet highly reliable. Kraken prioritizes transparency — reward rates, intervals, and supported assets are clearly published and regularly audited.
Ease of Use
Kraken’s design philosophy is functional clarity. The staking interface lists supported assets, current APYs, payout frequency, and reward coin type. Users can stake directly from their account balance without navigating multiple pages.
Rewards are typically distributed twice per week, providing a consistent income stream. The Kraken App keeps the process frictionless for users staking small or large portfolios alike.
Features
On-chain Staking: Supports Ethereum, Polkadot, Cardano, and more.
Off-chain Staking: Yields on assets that don’t natively support staking, like stablecoins.
Kraken Pro: Access to advanced analytics for those who monitor ROI closely.
Proof of Reserves: Publicly verifiable audits proving all client assets are backed 1:1.
Security Tools: Two-factor authentication, withdrawal whitelists, and encrypted data.
Kraken’s yields range between 1% and 20% annually, depending on the token. While not the highest, its reliability and transparent mechanics make it ideal for conservative investors.
Payment Methods
Kraken supports SWIFT, SEPA, FedWire, and Faster Payments, as well as limited card deposits in some regions. Withdrawals are clear-cut with published flat fees, making financial planning straightforward for yield-focused investors.
Licensing
Registered as a Money Services Business in the U.S. and licensed in various global jurisdictions, Kraken stands out for operational integrity. It was one of the first exchanges to undergo proof-of-reserves audits, cementing its image as a fortress of trust.
For investors who value peace of mind over flashy returns, Kraken offers the steady hand of experience.
Crypto.com – Best for Mobile Staking and Everyday Rewards
Overview
Crypto.com brings staking into everyday life. Founded in 2016 and now serving over 80 million users, it fuses investment and lifestyle through its signature Crypto.com Earn and Visa Card programs. The platform turns staking from a background investment into a visible, daily benefit system.
Ease of Use
The Crypto.com App is built for speed and simplicity. After verifying your account, you can access Crypto Earn within seconds, choosing flexible or fixed-term durations for your assets. The app calculates projected interest instantly, showing both crypto and fiat equivalents.
It’s designed for mobile-first investors who want to manage rewards, reinvest, or spend staking yields from a single dashboard.
Features
Crypto Earn: Offers returns up to 12% annually on primary tokens and stablecoins.
Crypto.com Visa Card: Converts crypto rewards to fiat for everyday purchases with cashback paid in CRO.
DeFi Wallet: Allows non-custodial staking for users who prefer direct blockchain interaction.
NFT Marketplace: Diversifies reward usage beyond saving and trading.
Crypto.com Pay: Enables instant, zero-fee transfers between users.
Together, these tools create a circular ecosystem where staking fuels real-world spending and further earning opportunities.
Payment Methods
Crypto.com supports credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and Apple Pay/Google Pay integrations. Card top-ups and withdrawals are processed quickly, and the app clearly displays any associated fees before confirmation.
Its broad fiat coverage makes staking accessible to users in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific alike.
Licensing
Crypto.com operates under multiple Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licenses and performs regular proof-of-reserves audits. Its transparent structure and strong compliance record make it a trusted choice for users who value convenience backed by accountability.
For those who prefer managing everything from a smartphone — earning, spending, and tracking yields — Crypto.com is the ideal companion.
Final Thoughts
Staking in 2025 isn’t just a trend — it’s the backbone of the new digital yield economy. From securing blockchains to rewarding holders, it’s a model that empowers patience over panic.
Among today’s leading platforms, CEX.IO stands tall as the most balanced choice for staking. With competitive yields, automatic participation, and one of the broadest selections of supported coins, it transforms passive ownership into a genuine income stream. Its intuitive app, diverse payment methods, and added perks like occasional bonuses make it the all-in-one solution for investors who want their assets to grow steadily.
Meanwhile, Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, and Crypto.com each shine in their own right — from Coinbase’s simplicity to Binance’s breadth, Kraken’s transparency, and Crypto.com’s lifestyle integration.
The moral of the story? In crypto, patience really does pay — especially when your coins are working hard, even while you sleep.
Read more:
Top Crypto Exchanges for Staking in 2025