Staking has become a popular way to earn passive income in the crypto market. By the end of 2025, it stopped being a complicated technical process: now you just need a wallet and a couple of clicks.
In 2026, interest in staking will likely increase even further. The Quickex editorial team figured out which coins can bring the most profit.
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What you need to know about staking today
Staking is a way to receive rewards for supporting a project’s blockchain. Your coins are locked in a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) network and help validators confirm transactions. In return, you receive a percentage—APY (annual yield).
Previously, staking required technical skills: you had to run a node, monitor uptime, and take on serious risks. Now the process is simplified—you can delegate coins via wallets or use liquid staking.
Liquid staking is a format in which, in exchange for locked coins, you receive a token, for example, stETH or mSOL. You can use it in other DeFi protocols to earn additional yield.
Statistics of assets locked in liquid staking. Source: defillama
There is also restaking. The service is available, for example, through EigenLayer on Ethereum. This is a slightly more complex strategy: you reuse already staked tokens to increase returns. But the risks are higher since a smart-contract failure or a validator’s mistake can lead to a partial loss of rewards.
Now that we’ve sorted out the types of staking, let’s move on to finding promising coins to work with.
Best coins for staking in 2025–2026
Analysts highlight coins that combine yield and resilience. Among them are Ethereum, Solana, Algorand, Cosmos, Injective, VeChain, as well as newer directions Bittensor, Realio, and Chainlink.
Ethereum (ETH)
Average yield — 4–6% per year via Lido or Rocket Pool.
@scottmelker noted that Ethereum remains the backbone of DeFi and one of the most reliable staking options. The coin combines stable income, ecosystem development, and the potential for the price to grow to $6–10k.
ETH is an optimal choice for those who want to start without losing liquidity.
Solana (SOL)
Yield — 2–7% per year depending on the validator.
Analyst @Hodl_fm writes: “If you believe in ETH — stake SOL.” The network is developing actively, and in 2026 the price of the cryptocurrency can grow significantly.
Suitable platforms for staking are Marinade (mSOL) and Jito. On these platforms, part of the yield is formed by MEV—additional rewards from transaction optimization.
Algorand (ALGO)
Yield — 4–6%, without lock-ups and penalties.
@AltcoinDaily calls ALGO “the best coin for staking in 2025.” Rewards are credited in real time, and users retain full control over their funds. This is an option for those who want flexibility and minimal risk.
Cosmos (ATOM)
Yield — up to 22% per year.
ATOM consistently ranks among the top by yield. Cosmos connects many independent networks through its own IBC communication protocol.
Staking is available via Keplr and Cosmostation. The coin suits investors who are ready to keep assets locked for 21 days in exchange for higher returns.
Injective (INJ)
Yield — about 17%. INJ is one of the key projects in the Cosmos ecosystem, focused on decentralized derivatives and cross-chain trading. @CryptoLady_M notes that Injective combines high APY with strong fundamentals. In 2026, the coin may strengthen its position as the DeFi market grows.
VeChain (VET)
@CryptoMichNL writes that VET is updating its tokenomics and improving its staking model. The project is actively being implemented in supply chains and enterprise solutions, making the coin a stable choice for long-term income.
New trends of 2026: AI, RWA, and new blockchains
In 2026, the focus shifts to staking in the sectors of artificial intelligence (AI), tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), and new L1 networks (Layer 1). These directions offer yields of 8–20% per year and shape the next stage of market growth.
Bittensor (TAO)
AI staking with 10–15% yield. @RvCrypto calls TAO “a pure AI project with no venture funds.” @DamiDefi adds that TAO is “the strongest setup of 2026.” Users receive rewards for computational power used in training neural networks.
Realio (RIO)
@bestcryptotoken notes that RIO is a leader in the asset tokenization sector. Yield — 10–15% per year. The project bridges traditional finance and DeFi, creating a platform for issuing tokenized bonds and funds.
Chainlink (LINK)
@elliotrades calls LINK “a pillar for DeFi and TradFi.” Yield — 5–8%. Chainlink provides smart contracts with up-to-date data, and staking supports the work of oracles. The coin remains a strategic asset for long-term holding.
Avalanche (AVAX)
CryptoLady_M emphasizes that AVAX is strengthening its position in DeFi. Yield — 6–10%. Staking helps scale the network, and low fees make Avalanche a convenient alternative to Ethereum. Growth potential — up to $100 by 2026.
Nillion (NIL)
@Ragnarok_177 writes: “NIL can grow to $15–20, offering data staking and private computation.” The project develops privacy-preserving computation technology where rewards are earned not for locking tokens, but for providing computing resources.
Where to stake safely
For beginners, trusted non-custodial solutions are suitable, where the user controls their keys:
ETH — Lido, Rocket Pool
SOL — Marinade, Jito
ALGO — native wallet or AlgoFi
ATOM and INJ — Keplr
VET — VeWorld
TAO, RIO, LINK — official project wallets
Top-10 staking protocols ranking. Source: defillama
Exchanges like Binance and Kraken also offer staking, but they are custodial, meaning the user transfers control over assets to them. For long-term storage, it is safer to use your own or hardware wallets.
Conclusion
In 2025–2026, staking is turning into a stable earning tool for investors. The best coins to start with are ETH, SOL, ALGO, ATOM, INJ, and VET: they are resilient and have long-term potential. In 2026, TAO, RIO, and LINK come to the forefront—assets tied to artificial intelligence, tokenization, and new blockchains.
As @heycape_ summed it up: “2025 is the year of stable income, 2026 is the year of exponential growth. The main thing is DYOR.”
Staking is a strategy for deliberate and steady earning, suitable for those who are betting on the long-term development of the crypto industry.
You can profitably exchange cryptocurrency earned as staking rewards on the time-tested exchanger Quickex.