What Is Staking?
Staking is the process of locking up cryptocurrency to help secure a proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain. In return, the network rewards you with newly minted tokens. Think of it as earning interest — except instead of a bank paying you, the blockchain protocol itself distributes rewards.
When you stake through Trust Wallet, you delegate your coins to a validator who runs the network node on your behalf. You retain ownership of your tokens; the validator simply uses your stake to increase their voting weight on the network.
Which Coins Can You Stake in Trust Wallet?
| Coin | Network | Approximate APY | Unbonding Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| BNB | BNB Smart Chain | 2–5% | ~7 days |
| ATOM | Cosmos | 14–20% | 21 days |
| TRX | TRON | 4–8% | 14 days |
| ALGO | Algorand | 4–6% | None (liquid) |
| ONE | Harmony | 8–12% | ~7 days |
| MATIC | Polygon | 4–6% | ~3 days |
| XTZ | Tezos | 4–6% | ~35 days |
| DOT | Polkadot | 12–16% | 28 days |
> APY figures are approximate and fluctuate based on network participation rates, validator commission, and token price. Always check the current rate within the app before staking.
How to Stake BNB (BNB Smart Chain)
BNB staking on the BNB Smart Chain is one of the most popular options in Trust Wallet given the low fees and quick confirmation times.
- Choose a validator from the list. Review the validator’s commission rate (lower is better for you) and uptime percentage (higher is better).
- Enter the amount of BNB you want to stake. Leave a small amount unstaked to cover future transaction fees.
- Review the summary screen showing the estimated APY and unbonding period.
Your staked BNB will begin accruing rewards immediately. Rewards are typically distributed at each epoch (approximately every day).
How to Stake ATOM (Cosmos)
Cosmos staking offers some of the highest APY rates available in Trust Wallet, often between 14–20%.
- Trust Wallet opens the Cosmos staking dashboard.
- Select a validator. Consider validators with:
– Commission below 10%
– 100% uptime
– Established reputation (look for known names in the Cosmos ecosystem)
- Enter the amount of ATOM to delegate.
- Confirm the transaction. Cosmos gas fees are minimal (fractions of a cent).
ATOM rewards compound automatically when you claim and re-stake. To claim rewards, tap your staked position and select Claim Rewards.
Important for ATOM: The unbonding period is 21 days. If you decide to unstake, you will not be able to access your tokens for three weeks. Plan accordingly.
How to Stake TRX (TRON)
- Choose your lock-up duration. TRON allows flexible staking with a 14-day unstaking notice.
- Enter the amount and confirm.
Staking TRX also gives you “Bandwidth” and “Energy” resources on the TRON network, which can be used to reduce transaction fees for TRC-20 token transfers.
How to Stake ALGO (Algorand)
Algorand uses a pure proof-of-stake model where all ALGO holders automatically earn rewards just by holding ALGO in a participating wallet. Trust Wallet participates in this, meaning you do not need to take any action to start earning — simply hold ALGO in your wallet.
However, for governance rewards (significantly higher), you need to commit your ALGO via the Algorand Governance program:
- Connect your Trust Wallet.
- Commit your ALGO for the governance period (quarterly).
Governance participation can yield considerably more than passive holding rewards.
Understanding Staking Rewards and APY
APY (Annual Percentage Yield) represents your yearly return if rewards are continuously compounded. Here is what affects your actual returns:
Validator commission: Validators charge a percentage of your rewards as a fee. A validator with 10% commission keeps 10% of your earnings and passes 90% to you.
Network participation: The more total stake locked in a network, the lower the individual rewards per token. As more people stake, APY tends to decrease.
Compounding frequency: If you claim and re-stake rewards regularly, you compound your returns. Some networks do this automatically; others require manual claiming.
Token price volatility: APY is denominated in the staked token, not in dollars. A 15% APY on ATOM is worth much more if ATOM appreciates, and less if it falls.
How to Unstake
The unstaking process varies by network but generally follows these steps:
- Go to your staked position within the coin’s detail screen.
- Enter the amount you wish to unstake.
- Confirm the transaction.
After unstaking, your tokens enter a cooldown or unbonding period during which they earn no rewards and cannot be moved. The duration varies by network (see the table above).
Once the unbonding period ends, tokens are automatically returned to your available balance.
Risks of Staking
Staking is not risk-free. Here are the key risks to understand:
Slashing. Some networks (Cosmos, Polkadot, Ethereum) penalize validators for bad behavior such as double-signing or downtime. If your chosen validator gets slashed, a portion of your delegated stake may be lost. Choose reputable validators with strong uptime records.
Illiquidity. Staked tokens are locked and cannot be sold during the unbonding period. If the token price drops sharply while you are unbonding, you cannot exit your position.
Smart contract risk. Liquid staking protocols and DApp-based staking involve smart contracts that could contain bugs or be exploited.
APY fluctuation. The advertised APY can decrease significantly if many more users join the staking pool or if the protocol changes its reward schedule.
Market risk. You are still exposed to the token’s price performance. A 15% staking yield on a token that drops 50% still results in a loss in dollar terms.
Liquid Staking Alternatives
If you want staking rewards without locking up your tokens, liquid staking protocols offer a solution. You deposit your tokens and receive a liquid staking token (LST) in return, which you can trade, use as collateral in DeFi, or hold while still earning staking rewards.
Popular liquid staking options accessible via the Trust Wallet DApp browser:
| Protocol | Token | Underlying Asset |
|---|---|---|
| Lido | stETH | ETH |
| Marinade | mSOL | SOL |
| Stride | stATOM | ATOM |
| BenqiFinance | sAVAX | AVAX |
To access these, open the Discover tab in Trust Wallet, search for the protocol, and connect your wallet. Note that liquid staking adds smart contract risk on top of standard staking risk.
Staking Tips for Maximizing Returns
FAQ
Do I need a minimum amount to stake in Trust Wallet?
Minimum amounts vary by network. ATOM requires a small minimum (around 0.1 ATOM), while BNB has no meaningful minimum. Check the staking screen for current minimums.
Are staking rewards taxable?
In most jurisdictions, staking rewards are treated as income at the time they are received. You should report their fair market value when claimed. Consult a tax professional familiar with crypto.
Can I lose my staked crypto?
You can lose a portion through slashing if your validator behaves badly. You cannot lose funds simply by staking with a reputable validator. However, the unbonding period means you cannot immediately exit if something goes wrong.
What happens to my staking rewards if I sell Trust Wallet tokens?
Staking rewards continue to accumulate regardless of what happens in the broader market. Selling the token at market would require you to unstake first and wait through the unbonding period.
Is Trust Wallet staking the same as native staking?
Trust Wallet uses the native staking mechanisms of each blockchain. It is a front-end interface — when you stake ATOM through Trust Wallet, you are genuinely delegating on the Cosmos network, not using a third-party system.
Can I stake on Trust Wallet while using a hardware wallet?
Currently, Trust Wallet’s built-in staking interface does not integrate with hardware wallets. You would need to use the chain’s native wallet (e.g., Keplr for Cosmos) connected to your Ledger for hardware-secured staking.
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