Mining

What Is Staking Crypto? – Complete Tutorial For Newbies

bePAY

30 March 2022

Investing in cryptocurrencies often involves one of two options: mining the cryptocurrency or trading it directly on a cryptocurrency market. For those who are interested in acquiring digital assets in their crypto wallets, an alternative option is crypto staking or staking cryptocurrencies.

If you’re interested in investing in cryptocurrency, it’s crucial to know what is staking crypto? How does staking work and which cryptocurrencies may be used to stake? Understanding cryptocurrency staking may seem like a step up from learning how to purchase Bitcoin or how a crypto exchange works, but it may help you become a better trader.

From the fundamentals of what is staking crypto? to the deep comparison of staking with other strategies available to investors interested in staking cryptocurrencies, via this, bePAY will cover.

What Is Staking Crypto?

Crypto staking explained: staking cryptocurrencies is the practice of securing cryptocurrency holdings to receive crypto staking rewards or interest. Cryptocurrencies are based on blockchain technology, which verifies cryptographic transactions and stores the generated data on the blockchain. Staking is another way of referring to the process of confirming transactions on a blockchain.

These techniques of validation are referred to as proof-of-stake or proof-of-work, depending on the kind of cryptocurrency and associated technology. Each of these procedures contributes to the achievement of consensus, or assurance that the sum of all transaction data is correct.

However, reaching a consensus involves participation. That is what staking is investors that actively retain or secure their crypto assets in a crypto wallet participate in the consensus-taking procedures of these networks. Stakers are essentially responsible for authorizing and confirming blockchain transactions.

The networks compensate crypto staking rewards, such as investors, for their efforts. The exact prizes will vary according to the network.

crypto-staking-explained

What is staking crypto?

Consider staking cryptocurrencies in the same way that you would put funds in a savings account. While their money is in the bank, the depositor gets interested as a reward from the bank, which utilizes the money for other reasons (lending, etc.). Thus, staking coins is analogous to earning interest.

How Does Staking Work?

Staking is how new transactions are added to the blockchain in proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies. To begin, staker makes protocol promise of their cryptocurrencies. The protocol selects validators from among those participants to confirm transaction blocks. The more cryptocurrencies pledged, the more likely it is that you will be selected as a validator.

Each time a new block is uploaded to the blockchain, new cryptocurrencies are produced and awarded to the block’s validator as crypto staking rewards. Typically, the rewards are the same sort of cryptocurrency as the ones staked by players. However, other blockchains reward users with a different form of coin.

To stake crypto, you must hold a cryptocurrency that operates on a proof-of-stake basis. Then you may choose the stake amount. This is possible through several major cryptocurrency exchanges.

When you stake your cryptocurrencies, you retain possession of them. You’re effectively putting your staked coins to work, and you can always unstake them later if you choose to exchange them. The unstaking procedure may take some time; certain cryptocurrencies require you to stake coins for a specified period of time.

Not all cryptocurrencies support staking. It is only compatible with proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies.

staking-operational-method

How does staking work?

Numerous cryptocurrencies use the proof-of-work algorithm to add blocks to their blockchains. The disadvantage of proof of work is that it requires a large amount of computer power. This has resulted in substantial energy consumption by cryptocurrencies based on proof of work. Bitcoin has come under scrutiny for its environmental effect in particular.

Proof of stake, on the other hand, consumes a fraction of the energy. This also makes it a more scalable alternative, capable of processing a higher volume of transactions.

>> Read also: Exploring amongst top best crypto to stake with highest APY

Staking In Comparison With Other Strategies

In this part, we will synthesize the main traits of staking in comparison with other strategies like Yield Farming, Mining, and Liquidity pools. Let’s see which one is better for your choices? 

Staking Vs Farming

Yield farming is the most lucrative, but riskiest passive investment choice. Ethereum’s gas expenses may wipe away your APY rates, and if markets swing dramatically bearish or bullish, your rate of profitability will drop.

In newer systems, yield farming might completely compromise security due to developers’ use of so-called rug pull efforts. After launching a new currency and enabling clients to deposit monies into liquidity pools, the project’s creator will leave with the proceeds.

Even if the author is honest and working on a serious project, he may accidentally incorporate a hacker-friendly bug in the smart contract code. That doesn’t mean the rewards don’t exceed the dangers. Yield farming is a safe method to earn money. Now you only need to bear in mind the aforementioned hazards and devise a plan to handle them.

Staking has two major disadvantages: low APY rates and timelocks.

staking-vs-farming

Staking vs Farming

Validating transactions on a PoS-based blockchain network is not as profitable as yield farming. As previously stated, yields range from 5% to 15% and do not exceed that.

Then there’s the issue of time limits. A staker may be required to lock his assets for a year. He can’t relocate or sell his assets now. If a bull market suddenly turns bearish, the investor loses more than he gained by staking.

Staking Vs Mining

With so many variations between proof-of-work and proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies, stating one is more profitable than the other is tricky. This is especially true considering both systems’ high pooling rates. Miners and stakers can combine their resources to receive lower but more reliable block payouts.

Concerning the factors, mining may yield bigger payouts, but the hardware setup and power expenses may negate this. It also depends on how long you ‘lock’ your assets, with significant volatility potentially affecting your returns. Mining and staking both reward users with local cryptocurrency. The block rewards are crypto-dependent.

Staking is a simple operation that requires no large upfront expenditure. The initial investment is necessary for mining. Anyone with enough money can set up a massive mining form and mine endlessly.

staking-vs-mining

Staking vs Mining

Staking allows you to stake a limited coin, limiting your winnings. No such link exists in mining, thus you may use a big mining form and create several coins.

If you have little money, you should stake it. Returns are 100% guaranteed here, and the rates are quite high. If you don’t have lots of money, you should avoid mining since you may lose money.

Staking Vs Liquidity Pools

Staking allows you to invest in your digital assets and use them to create blocks on the blockchain. Your chances of earning rewards from the blockchain network increase as you stake more.

Staking also lets you become the network’s validator, giving you additional power. Depending on the blockchain network, you can potentially receive a fixed annual interest rate. Staking your digital assets secures them on the blockchain network.

Liquidity pools let others access your digital assets and increase your chances of earning rewards on the blockchain network.

For this, you will need to create smart contracts with other users. Customers using your digital assets will reward you. Your digital assets are lent out via the liquidity pool.

You can obtain incentives from other users based on your smart contracts, and you can get benefits from the blockchain network.

staking-vs-liquidity-pools

Staking vs liquidity pools

However, executing smart contracts with other users utilizing the liquidity pool may fail. Your choice. You can invest in crypto staking, liquidity pools, yield farming, or mining. It all depends on your preferences for investing in the blockchain network.

>> Read also: What is liquidity pool – Seeking the top best liquidity pools

What Are The Risks Of Staking Crypto?

Although crypto staking may first appear to be a way for you to earn free crypto, there are considerable hazards involved:

Volitarity 

Price change in the cryptocurrency you are staking is the largest risk. You will lose money even with a 20% return of crypto-staking APY if the price of the cryptocurrency declines by 50%.

Staking benefits come at a price, and cryptocurrency bears the brunt of that. Compared to a savings account, where the principal is guaranteed, or even a dividend stock or ETF, where the volatility is considerably lower than with cryptocurrencies, the dangers are far larger.

High Return Promise

You should exercise caution when interacting with a cryptocurrency or platform that makes big claims about benefits. Before investing, it is wise to perform your own study. Many of these initiatives fail or cause inflation. It’s possible that the value of your cryptocurrency may continue to decline even after receiving a 150% return.

Inactive Cryptocurrency

If you want to join a staking program, you may be required to lock away your Bitcoin for a period of time. According to Rajcevic, certain exchanges may keep your money locked up for up to 180 days before allowing you to un-stake them and sell them.

risks-associated-with-staking

What are the risks of staking crypto?

To get out of your lock-up period and un-stake your coins, you have to wait until the value of your crypto has recovered to a significant degree, according to him.

Hacking

If you continue to own individual cryptocurrencies, you’re taking on the danger of a platform or coin being hacked. Staking systems that have been trusted by millions of users for a long time are nevertheless vulnerable to hacking and cyber security risks. For this reason, some crypto investors choose to store their coins on physical devices like hard drives. 

Frauds

Clients may be tempted to engage in a staking platform that advertises very high profits in order to entice them into doing so. As a result, cryptocurrency owners must thoroughly investigate any site before investing. It’s possible to lose all of your tokens if you deposit and stake them on a site that isn’t trustworthy, Minea warns. The importance of conducting this sort of study on platforms that are less well-known cannot be overstated.

FAQs About Staking

Is Staking Crypto Safe?

Nothing is risk-free and staking cryptocurrency is no exception. While staking cryptocurrency provides a number of advantages, there are certain concerns to consider, including price volatility and lock-up periods.

faq-about-staking

Is staking crypto safe?

Can You Lose Staking Cypto?

The answers for can you lose staking crypto? Is yes, Crypto staking like any other investment strategy contains its potential risks sure if the market goes into a bear market and the price of your cryptocurrency decline lower than the APY you gain from staking cryptocurrency, you will be a loser in staking cryptocurrency. Besides that, many other risks like frauds, scammers, and rugbull platforms that could harm your investment.

Is Staking Available For All Cryptocurrency?

No, only cryptocurrencies run by the proof-of-stake algorithm are available for staking.  Staking is the process of validating new blocks of the proof-of-stake mechanism blockchain. Stakers commit their cryptocurrency and act as validators to validate new blocks to maintain the network and receive crypto staking rewards.

What Is Cold Staking?

A wallet that isn’t linked to the internet is said to be “cold staking.” Using a hardware wallet or an air-gapped software wallet may do this.

Cold staking networks enable users to stake their coins while keeping their cash secure off-chain. Depositors should be aware that they will no longer get incentives if they remove their money from cold storage.

Those with a lot of money to risk but still want to contribute to the network might benefit greatly from cold staking since it allows them to do both.

Wrapping Up

Now you are going through crypto staking explained, All information about what is staking crypto is analyzed for you. Hopefully, this post will clarify your questions about staking.

Proof of Stake and staking provide several opportunities for anybody interested in contributing to the consensus and governance of blockchains. Additionally, it is a very simple method to get passive income just by retaining coins. The barriers to entry into the blockchain ecosystem continue to erode, as staking becomes more accessible.

However, it should be remembered that staking is not completely risk-free. Because encrypting funds in a smart contract is error-prone, it is critical to always DYOR and use a reputable wallet, such as Trust Wallet.