Solana offers two primary staking options: native staking, where you delegate SOL to a validator, and liquid staking, where you receive a liquid token representing your staked SOL. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right approach for your needs.
What is Native Staking?
Native staking is the traditional method of staking SOL directly to a validator:
- 🔹 You delegate your SOL to a chosen validator
- 🔹 Earn staking rewards directly (typically 6-8% APY)
- 🔹 Your SOL is locked during the staking period
- 🔹 Unstaking takes approximately 2-3 days (one epoch)
How to Native Stake
- Open your Solana wallet (Phantom, Solflare)
- Navigate to the Staking section
- Choose a validator
- Enter the amount to stake
- Confirm the transaction
What is Liquid Staking?
Liquid staking lets you stake SOL while maintaining liquidity:
- 🔹 Deposit SOL into a liquid staking protocol
- 🔹 Receive a liquid token (mSOL, stSOL, jitoSOL) in return
- 🔹 Use the liquid token in DeFi while earning staking rewards
- 🔹 Exchange back to SOL anytime (may involve small fees or delays)
Popular Liquid Staking Protocols
| Protocol | Token | APY | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marinade | mSOL | ~7-8% | Largest TVL, auto-delegation |
| Lido | stSOL | ~6-7% | Multichain experience |
| Jito | jitoSOL | ~7-8%+ | MEV rewards included |
| Blaze | bSOL | ~7-8% | Decentralized selection |
Key Differences
Liquidity
| Aspect | Native Staking | Liquid Staking |
|---|---|---|
| Access to funds | Locked | Immediately usable |
| Unstaking time | 2-3 days | Instant (via swap) |
| DeFi usage | Not possible | Full DeFi access |
Rewards
| Aspect | Native Staking | Liquid Staking |
|---|---|---|
| Base APY | 6-8% | 6-8% (similar) |
| Extra yields | No | Yes (DeFi usage) |
| MEV rewards | Depends on validator | Some include (Jito) |
Risks
| Risk | Native Staking | Liquid Staking |
|---|---|---|
| Smart contract risk | None | Yes |
| Validator risk | Your chosen validator | Spread across many |
| Depeg risk | None | Possible (rare) |
Pros and Cons
Native Staking
Pros:
- ✅ No smart contract risk
- ✅ Direct control over validator choice
- ✅ Simple and straightforward
- ✅ True ownership of your staked SOL
Cons:
- ❌ Funds are locked during staking
- ❌ Can't use SOL in DeFi simultaneously
- ❌ Must manage validator selection yourself
- ❌ 2-3 day unstaking period
Liquid Staking
Pros:
- ✅ Maintain liquidity while earning rewards
- ✅ Use tokens in DeFi for extra yield
- ✅ Professional validator management
- ✅ Instant unstaking via swaps
Cons:
- ❌ Smart contract risk
- ❌ Potential depeg from SOL price
- ❌ Platform fees (typically 5-10% of rewards)
- ❌ Less control over validators
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Native Staking If:
- 🔹 You want maximum security with no smart contract risk
- 🔹 You don't need immediate access to funds
- 🔹 You prefer direct validator relationships
- 🔹 You're staking for the long term
Choose Liquid Staking If:
- 🔹 You want to use staked SOL in DeFi
- 🔹 You need liquidity for potential opportunities
- 🔹 You prefer hands-off validator management
- 🔹 You're comfortable with smart contract risks
Hybrid Approach
Many users combine both strategies:
- 🔹 Core holdings: Native staking for long-term security
- 🔹 Active portion: Liquid staking for DeFi opportunities
- 🔹 Emergency fund: Keep some unstaked SOL for fees and opportunities
Getting Started
For Native Staking
Visit your wallet's staking interface and choose a validator using the criteria from our validator selection guide.
For Liquid Staking
Choose based on your risk appetite and liquidity needs. Both options help secure the Solana network while earning rewards!