Stake on Polkadot
Staking DOT natively provides the function of securing the network and allows you to collect DOT tokens for your help.
Get started easily with just 1 DOT.
* The historical rewards rate is the annual average calculated from on-chain data. It is not indicative of future rewards, as the network conditions that affect the amount participants get are constantly in flux.
Why stake on Polkadot?
Polkadot‘s staking system is built for maximum security, decentralization, and fair representation. Get DOT for helping support the most energy-efficient blockchain technology and protect your tokens against dilution. Get started with just 1 DOT and help build the future of Web3.
Move over middleman
Stake like a pro, directly on the network. Staking natively rather than via third party custodial services lets you stay in full control of your keys and funds by cutting out the middleman.
Paulo Martins
Nomination pools are a game changer for the staking system on Polkadot.
How it works
Polkadot is based on groundbreaking Nominated Proof of Stake (NPoS) technology. A decentralized network of validators is selected by nominators to secure Polkadot‘s entire multichain ecosystem. Validators and nominators get a share of DOT in return.
Where to stake DOT
Native Staking
- Low minimum of 1 DOT
- Fully trustless and decentralized
- Full control over your assets, even in nomination pools
- Best option for network security
- Possible to participate in governance. Keep your voting power (when nominating directly)
- Easy with the Staking Dashboard
- Options to suit different levels of experience and time commitment
Third-Party Decentralized Protocols
- Stake any amount for a fee
- Flexible unbonding
- Liquidity using third-party token
- Staking benefits vary between protocols
- Medium trust assumptions: You might partially lose custody over your funds
- May face additional risks from third-party tokens
- Impact on network decentralization can vary from very good to very bad, and requires some research: Allows small token holders to stake, but large pools can be a centralization risk
Custodial Exchanges
- High trust assumptions: These platforms are free to censor and block addresses and wallets, or even delist tokens
- Lowest returns for short-term staking
- The penalty for unbonding prematurely can be high when tokens are received with longer lock-in periods
- Harmful for network security and decentralization
Ilhan Gnossienli
Nomination pools are a unique feature on Polkadot and are generally not implemented in other blockchains. On-chain registration of the process is novel and being able to delegate a minimum of 1 DOT is very inclusive.
How to stake on Polkadot
4 ways to stake natively
Joining a nomination pool
Don’t want to manage your nomination or have less than the minimum nomination amount? Join a nomination pool with just 1 DOT. Benefits (and penalties) are shared proportionally and must be claimed manually. DOT in pools can’t be used for governance.
Opening a nomination pool
Confident in your ability to select trustworthy validators? Open your own nomination pool and allow others to join and pool their stake. Build a community and reputation as an expert nominator.
Nominating directly
Want to actively and regularly participate in selecting validators? Nominate validators directly and still participate in governance. You can lose some DOT if a chosen validator misbehaves. DOT receives compounds automatically, just choose a payout schedule, and watch as your tokens accumulate.
Running a validator
Validating is for more technical users who secure the network and produce blocks on the Relay Chain. Validators are rewarded for good behavior, and can lose DOT for bad behavior.
Introducing the new
Staking Dashboard
Get the best staking experience with the new user-friendly web app — your one-stop hub to manage all your nominations, join pools, and optimize how many tokens you get.
Go to Dashboard
Robert Dörzbach
The new staking dashboard is seamless to operate so that it empowers any token holder to contribute to the security and maintenance of the network - irrespective of technical knowledge.
Set up your DOT account
You’ll need your wallet and some DOT to interact with Polkadot and start staking
1. Choose a wallet*
Non-custodial wallets are recommended. With non-custodial wallets, only you have access to your private keys, but you‘re also responsible for keeping a safe backup..
* This list does not constitute an endorsement and is not exhaustive of all wallet options available. Always do your own research before choosing a wallet. The list includes non-custodial wallets funded by the Polkadot or Kusama treasuries that support native staking, and other non-custodial Polkadot wallets that have integrated the Polkadot Staking Dashboard, or are integrated by the Polkadot Staking Dashboard. If your wallet fulfills this criteria and is not listed here, contact support@polkadot.network
** Polkawallet has not integrated nomination pool functionality
*** Requires Vault app
2. Create your account
Each Polkadot account you create is associated with a secret seed phrase. This phrase gives access to your account, so write it down and keep it safe offline where nobody can access it. Each account can be used on multiple networks within the Polkadot ecosystem at the same time (ex: Kusama network and ecosystem parachains). Usually, you can create accounts from within your wallet.
Use your wallet to create a Polkadot account. Make sure to back up your seed phrase and keep it safe.
3. Top up your account
You can get DOT tokens at a cryptocurrency exchange or within select wallets. You should always do your own research when selecting a reputable cryptocurrency exchange. To ensure the best security for your tokens, it is not recommended to leave them on an exchange, but transfer them to your non-custodial or cold/hardware wallet after procuring them.
You need to add DOT tokens to your account to interact with Polkadot and start staking.
Staking with hardware wallets
Consider using a secure hardware wallet that has integrated the Polkadot Staking Dashboard when staking significant amounts of DOT.
Ledger Support
Ledger officially supports staking on the Polkadot staking dashboard. You can securely stake your DOT tokens using your choice of three Ledger devices.
Dive deeper and get updates
Learn all the details of how staking works in the Polkadot Wiki. Follow the Staking Updates for the latest developments on Polkadot’s staking system. Subscribe to the newsletter for all the latest Polkadot news.