Top 12 DeFi Staking Platforms in 2025

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) staking is the process of locking up digital assets in smart contracts. It allows users to earn passive income through rewards while supporting blockchain networks’ security and functionality. DeFi staking is popular among crypto investors because it doesn’t require technical knowledge or trading skills. It eliminates intermediaries, allowing users to access higher yields and greater control over their funds. DeFi platforms simplify the staking process by offering various options, from flexible staking periods to generating income with relatively low effort.

Finding the best DeFi staking platforms is difficult, as each boasts opportunities and rewards. This is where our article comes into play. We evaluated the best crypto staking platforms 2025 to come up with the top 12, considering factors like security and audits, fees and reward distribution, staking methods, lock-up periods, annual percentage yield (APY), reputation, and user experience. In addition to our in-depth reviews, you’ll learn how DeFi staking works and how to maximize your profits.

DeFi Staking: Summary

What is staking crypto? DeFi staking isn’t just about parking your cryptocurrency and hoping for the best—it’s a full-blown passive income hustle powered by smart contracts, killer APYs, and platforms that work while you sleep. In this guide, we go beyond buzzwords and dive into the top 12 DeFi staking platforms of 2025.

From liquid staking and restaking to NFT-powered rewards and institutional-grade options, we’ve covered every flavor of staking out there. You’ll learn how DeFi staking works, what types exist, how DeFi staking rewards are calculated, and where to find the juiciest yields. Whether you’re a cautious investor or a full-blown DeFi degen, this guide has your back (and your bags).

What is DeFi Staking?

Here’s DeFi staking explained. DeFi is an abbreviation for decentralized financial services or financial services with no central authority, while cryptocurrency staking refers to locking digital assets to earn rewards. If we combine these two terms, we get the definition of DeFi staking—the process of earning rewards by locking tokens into smart contracts in a decentralized way. Unlike traditional staking, some DeFi staking platforms enable investors to use their staked assets in other DeFi projects through liquid staking tokens, providing greater flexibility and additional yield opportunities.

How Does DeFi Staking Work?

DeFi crypto staking enables investors to support blockchain operations by locking their native tokens into smart contracts. These operations usually involve participating in governance, validating transactions, and securing the network. Investors can stake both fungible and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The sum of the rewards will depend on the quantity of staked tokens, the lock-in period, and the rules determined by the blockchain. The longer the tokens are locked, the higher their annual percentage yield (APY) will be.

Where to Stake DeFi Tokens: Best Platforms For DeFi Staking

Staking DeFi tokens is a great way to put your assets to work while supporting decentralized networks. Below you will find a list of the best staking platforms that you can choose from.

Best Wallet: Most Secure DeFi Staking Platform in 2025

Finding the best DeFi platform fro staking in 2025 isn’t just about high APYs—it’s about control, flexibility, and long-term utility. That’s why Best Wallet tops our list. As a fully decentralized, non-custodial wallet with built-in staking and presale access, it lets users earn rewards without giving up their keys or privacy. From beginners to DeFi power users, Best Wallet sets the gold standard for staking.

Best Wallet is a multifunctional Web3 wallet designed to make staking and DeFi simple and secure for everyone. With support for over 60 blockchains, you can manage, swap, and stake tokens without hopping across different platforms. The staking tab lets you explore live staking opportunities directly within the wallet, removing the need to trust shady third-party sites. Basically, you can call this wallet, a zero-fee DeFi platform.

Everything happens inside a sleek, mobile-first app—your keys, your control. Whether you’re after passive income through staking, scouting the best crypto presales for the next gem, or browsing dApps, Best Wallet brings it all under one roof. It’s non-custodial, KYC-free, and beginner-friendly—without sacrificing depth for power users.

Join Best Wallet to stake your crypto securely, track rewards on the go, and unlock DeFi’s full potential—all from your phone. Check out our full Best Wallet Review to know more.

Visit Best Wallet

Apart from Best Wallet, we have singled out 12 other DeFi staking platforms based on the following criteria: supported cryptocurrencies, APYs, reward distribution and frequency, staking terms, such as lock-up periods and minimum staking amounts, and withdrawal terms. Here’s what makes these platforms stand out from the competition.

Here’s a detailed review of the top Defi staking platforms.

1. Lido: Top DeFi Protocol for Ethereum Liquid Staking

Lido is a DeFi staking platform that specializes in liquid staking. Users can stake ETH across multiple networks while maintaining liquidity. Until recently, Lido users could also stake Polygon, but this option was discontinued on December 16, 2024. Lido converts staked ETH tokens into stETH tokens, which can be used as regular ETH. They can be traded on secondary markets, used in DeFi protocols for lending and borrowing, and as collateral in restaking. There are no minimum requirements or lock-up
periods, which makes Lido suitable for beginners.

Lido is governed by Lido DAO, which uses an on-chain delegation model. This model allows LDT token holders to delegate their voting power and participate in on-chain voting. The staking rewards come with a 10% fee shared between the Lido DAO and node operators.

Join Lido to receive daily rewards on Ethereum staking and increase your earnings by using stETH tokens across 100+ DeFi protocols. Also, check our beginner’s guide to Lido Staked Ether.

2. Aave: Best DeFi Staking Platform for Lending and Borrowing

Aave is a liquidity protocol that enables users to earn rewards by becoming suppliers or borrowers. Suppliers lock their tokens into liquidity pools to earn interest, while borrowers keep the network secure by providing collateral greater than the loaned amount. The suppliers share the interest paid by the borrowers and receive a portion of the Flash Loan fees.

Aave’s Flash Loans enable investors to borrow an asset without using collateral. However, they’ll have to repay the borrowed amount, plus a fee, within the same transaction. Users can stake AAVE (stkAAVE), GHO (stkGHO), and ABPT (stkABPT) tokens via Aave’s Safety Module in return for rewards that usually come in the form of AAVE tokens. Aave recently introduced Liquid eModes, a feature that makes the borrowing and lending process cheaper and more flexible, which pushed its TVL toward the $20 billion mark.

Have a look at our detailed Aave review to get more information about the staking feature.

3. Curve: Decentralized Exchange That Specializes in Stablecoin Trading

Curve is a decentralized exchange that specializes in stablecoin trading and lending. This DEX uses liquidity pools to power its operations. Its users will gain access to over 370 liquidity pools where they can stake their stablecoins for rewards. Curve also uses AMM protocols to facilitate stablecoin transactions and minimize problems related to slippage and high fees.

Curve is powered by CRV tokens, which are used to incentivize liquidity providers. Each time someone trades on Curve, liquidity providers earn 50% of the trading fee (converted into crvUSD). The CRV token can also be staked and used for voting. Users who lock their CRV tokens for 1 week or 4 years will earn veCRV tokens that they can use to boost their pool rewards up to 2.5x.

Join Curve’s ecosystem to generate passive income by contributing to its liquidity pools or creating your own liquidity pool. Meanwhile, why don’t you check our Curve Finance Review here?

4. Yearn: Popular DeFi Staking Platform for Yield Farming

Yearn is a DeFi yield aggregator that enables its users to earn rewards by locking their digital assets into Yearn Vaults. These vaults use automated strategies to enable users to invest in multiple DeFi platforms and generate maximum returns with minimum effort. Once a user deposits their tokens into the vault, the protocol will automatically start earning yield by moving the tokens between different lending platforms.

Yearn’s other notable products include yLocker and yPools. The former is designed to tokenize locked governance positions in external DeFi protocols. The latter are risk-adjusted user-governed liquidity pools that contain a collection of liquid tokens, such as yETH. yLocker stakers earn 100% of their share of protocol fees every week. Yearn’s vaults enable users to earn massive yields, which makes it ideal for investors who want to maximize the value of their holdings without the need for active trading.

5. Rocket Pool: Best DeFi Platform for Node Staking

Rocket Pool is a DeFi crypto staking platform enabling users to get ETH staking rewards via liquid or node staking. Liquid stakers will earn rewards in the form of rETH tokens that can be used in numerous DeFi protocols. Staked tokens can also be unstaked at any time, with no minimum lock-up periods.

Node staking involves operating a validator node in return for rewards through ETH and RPL tokens and commission fees. To operate a node, users must stake a minimum of 8 ETH. Staking rewards are paid out every 28 days, and node operators who stake their RPL tokens will earn additional bonuses and voting rights. Rocket Pool makes Ethereum staking more accessible to investors by lowering the entry barrier from 32 ETH to 8 ETH (node ​​staking) and 0.01 ETH (liquid staking). This makes it a go-to platform for ETH traders.

6. Frax Finance: Top DeFi Protocol for Stablecoin-Based Staking & Lending

Frax Finance is a DeFi platform that aims to optimize the stability of stablecoins through innovative mechanisms. These include Fraxswap (an AMM with an embedded time-weighted average market maker) and Fraxlend (a permissionless and non-custodial lending platform that provides lending markets between any two ERC20 tokens).

Frax Finance currently issues three stablecoins: FRAX (stablecoin pegged to the US dollar), FPI (stablecoin pegged to a basket of consumer goods), and frxETH (stablecoin pegged to ETH). Its ecosystem is powered by two tokens, FXS and FPIS, which users can lock in liquidity pools in exchange for veFXS and veFPIS tokens.

Frax Finance’s DeFi coins can potentially improve the financial landscape with their innovative liquidity solutions. This especially applies to Frax Ether (frxETH), which enables ETH holders to participate in the staking process without the need to run a node. Stakers can also exchange frxETH for their staked versions, sfrxETH, to earn extra rewards.

7. Pendle Finance: Best DeFi Staking Platform for Yield Tokenization

Pendle Finance is a permissionless yield-trading platform that tokenizes the yield of its users by wrapping them into standardized yield tokens. These tokens are divided into Principal tokens (PT) and Yield tokens (YT). This separation enables investors to trade future yields as independent assets. Pendle also supports multiple blockchains, from Ethereum and Arbitrum to BNB Chain and Optimism.

Users who stake PENDLE tokens receive vePENDLE tokens. These tokens are used to vote on which pool will generate PENDLE incentives. Those who vote will earn 80% of the swap fees of the voted pool. Liquidity providers can also boost their PENDLE rewards by up to 250%.

Pendle has been recognized as one of the most promising RWA cryptos. It simplifies the trading of future yields by allowing investors to split their yield-bearing assets into separate yield and principal components. Join Pendle and earn a yield of up to 18.77% on your staked tokens.

8. EigenLayer: Top DeFi Protocol for Restaking

If you’re looking for DeFi staking platforms that enable users to stake their tokens, opt for EigenLayer, a DeFi protocol that allows users to retake their staked ETH or LSTs to support the security of its Autonomous Verifiable Services (AVSs). The restocking process utilizes liquid and native restacking models.

Liquid restaking involves depositing liquid tokens, ERC-20 tokens, and EIGEN tokens into EigenLayer’s smart contracts. Native restaking enables users who operate an Ethereum validator node to change their withdrawal credentials to EigenLayer’s smart contracts. Stakers can also delegate their restaked balance to a node operator. Node operators will earn a fixed 10% fee, while the rest will go to their delegators. However, they’ll also be able to set their fee rate to any amount from 0% to 100%. In short, EigenLayer will enable you to restake your tokens to improve your capital gains.

9. EtherFi: Best DeFi Platform for Non-Custodial Staking

EtherFi is a non-custodial liquid staking platform that enables Ethereum holders to stake ETH or stETH in return for eETH. eETH token enables its holders to earn staking rewards and receive loyalty points. These points can be used to boost rewards and gain access to some of the most popular airdrops. Users can automate their earnings with the help of ETH yield vaults by depositing eETH, weETH, or WETH tokens. The vaults will allocate these tokens across different DeFi protocols.

EtherFi provides several non-custodial staking options, from solo to liquid staking. Users can also restake their ETH via Eigenlayer to increase their returns. The sum of the staking rewards will be divided as follows – stakers will earn 90%, while node operators and the protocol will earn 5%. Join EtherFi to earn lucrative staking rewards through the liquid and solo staking and enhance your strategy via Eigenlayer’s restaking collective.

10. Ethena: Best Defi Staking Protocol for Institutional Investors

Ethena Finance is a synthetic dollar protocol that runs on the Ethereum blockchain. What makes this protocol stand out is its synthetic dollar called USDe. USDe doesn’t act as a traditional stablecoin, i.e., it’s not backed by fiat. Instead, Ethena uses delta hedging strategies and crypto collaterals (mainly Ethereum) to maintain its value.

Ethena uses a reward-bearing “Token Vault” mechanism that rewards all participants without asking them to do a specific action. Users can stake USDe in return for sUSDe tokens. These tokens will appreciate over time, which means they’ll keep their value even in negative yield scenarios.

Its native token, ENA, is mainly used for governance. However, users can also stake it to earn sENA tokens. sENA holders will earn 15% of any potential future token supply. According to Ethena’s roadmap, a new product called iUSDe will launch this month. It will bridge traditional finance with DeFi and CeFi.

11. Jito: Best DeFi Protocol for Solana Liquid Staking

Jito is a DeFi staking platform that runs on Solana. Its uniqueness lies in its MEV-powered staking reward system, which will enable users to earn yield from both staking rewards and MEV profits. In short, users can stake their SOL tokens in return for liquid stake pool tokens, JitoSOL. JitoSOL tokens will automatically generate value from two sources, MEV, and staking rewards, boosting the yields by up to 15%.

JitoSOL can be used in DeFi protocols, like Drift, Mango, and Solend, and liquidity provision pools, like Orca, Raydium, and Meteora. Jito’s native token, JTO, is used for governance. However, this token cannot be staked. Jito recently launched the StakeNet Steward Program to enhance the management of Solana stake pools, which will contribute to its growth in value. Users can also earn rewards by restaking SPL tokens on Jito’s staking protocol for NCNs on Solana.

12. Babylon: Most Popular DeFi Platform for Bitcoin Staking

Babylon is the first DeFi protocol to introduce Bitcoin staking. If you want to know more about this topic, check out our dedicated guide on Bitcoin Staking in 2025. This protocol allows users to stake BTC through the self-custodial staking mechanism, which enables them to earn rewards without giving up control of their assets. BTC stakers can also earn rewards by securing PoS blockchains and dApps.

Babylon uses the BTC timestamping protocol to protect important transactions and enable fast unbonding. This protocol serves as a building block for its staking mechanism as it synchronizes Bitcoin and PoS blockchains. In addition to that, Babylon uses scalable restaking features to enable BTC holders to maximize their yield and liquidity.

Babylon’s staking mechanism operates through phases, aka caps, which determine the staking duration, limits, and reward distribution. The platform has already generated over $4 billion in staked BTC, which shows strong investor interest. Babylon can potentially redefine BTC’s role in the DeFi space through its unique protocol that enables trustless staking.

How Did We Rate and Review the Top DeFi Staking Platforms?

We used the following criteria to rate and review the above-mentioned DeFi staking platforms:

What Are the Different Types of DeFi Staking?

There are several types of DeFi staking:

DeFi Staking Platforms vs Traditional Staking Platforms

Benefits and Risks of DeFi Staking

Is staking coins worth it? Staking platforms offer many benefits to attract investors to participate in their DeFi ecosystem. The biggest advantages of using DeFi platforms also come with risks:

Security Measures in Top DeFi Staking Platforms

Security plays a key role in DeFi staking, which is why many platforms invest large sums of money into their security systems. For example, Lido invested more than $4m in security, audits, and bug bounties. As mentioned before, DeFi protocols operate on smart contracts that are vulnerable to hacks. This is why DeFi platforms audit their smart contracts via blockchain auditing companies like Ackee, Certora, and Sigma Prime.

Some DeFi platforms implement insurance funds to compensate users if slashing occurs. Other security measures include multi-sig wallets, cold storage, and bug bounty programs. DeFi platforms can also use decentralized node operating models. This means that control will be distributed across multiple independent validators to prevent a single point of failure. For example, EtherFi implements DVT (Distributed Validator Technology) to distribute validator keys to diverse operators to reduce risks and promote decentralization.

Tips for Maximizing DeFi Staking Rewards

There are several ways you can maximize your staking returns. First, you can spread your investments across multiple cryptocurrencies to increase your overall returns and minimize the risks. You can invest in both popular cryptocurrencies and even lucrative presale coins. Secondly, you can restake your tokens. When the lock-up period ends, don’t withdraw your staking rewards. Instead, restake your tokens to increase the rewards during the next staking cycle.

For example, if you earn 5 tokens as a reward for staking 20 tokens, restaking those 5 tokens will expand your staked amount to 25 tokens. In this way, you’ll increase your returns over time, especially in the case of high APYs.

You can also use advanced staking strategies, such as:

How are Staking Rewards Calculated?

Staking rewards will be based on the amount of staked tokens, their market value, staking duration, and reward rates. A larger number of staked tokens equals higher rewards; the same rule applies to the staking duration. Longer staking periods equal higher returns. The reward rate represents the rate at which staking rewards will be distributed. The higher the rate, the higher the rewards.

For example, if the current market value of Ethereum is $3,220, and you decide to stake 50 ETH at a staking rate of 3% for 24 months, your staking reward will amount to $9.66k or 3.00 ETH. On the other hand, if you stake 100 ETH at a staking rate of 5.00% for 48 months, your staking reward will amount to $64.40k or 20.00 ETH. You can use an online staking rewards calculator to estimate your potential crypto staking rewards.

How Much Can You Earn by Staking DeFi Tokens?

Your earnings from DeFi staking depend on several factors: the amount staked, APY, staking duration, and platform fees. For example, staking 5 ETH at a 5% APY could earn you around 0.25 ETH annually. Some platforms offer even higher rates—up to 18%—especially for newer or riskier tokens.

Use tools like the Staking Rewards Calculator to estimate returns based on real-time data and your staking plan.

Regulatory Considerations for DeFi Staking Platforms

Most DeFi platforms operate in a regulatory grey area since each jurisdiction classifies staking rewards in a different way. For example, the IRS classifies staking rewards as taxable income. However, the regulatory environment for DeFi staking is evolving rapidly, and many platforms face pressure to comply with regulations imposed by the CFTC and the SEC.

This is why DeFi services started integrating KYC and AML procedures to verify users’ identities and track their transactions to prevent money laundering. However, to avoid legal consequences, DeFi platforms must ensure that their KYC processes comply with the jurisdiction’s regulations. The most notable staking platforms with regulatory compliance include Kraken, Binance, and Coinbase.

Mistakes to Avoid When Staking DeFi Tokens

Best Practices to Stake DeFi Tokens

How to Unstake DeFi Tokens: A Detailed Guide

When you unstake DeFi tokens, it’s normal to face an unbonding delay before your tokens are usable again. Some platforms may also charge penalties if you unstake before the lock-up period ends, so always check the rules carefully. Don’t forget that unstaking often requires paying a small gas fee, especially on networks like Ethereum. Since each platform works differently, it’s important to follow the official unstaking instructions provided by the platform you used.

Future of DeFi Staking: Long-Term Trends to Watch

As of January 30, 2025, over $122 billion in assets are locked in DeFi, representing a considerable increase compared to the $55.95 figure from January 2024. This suggests that interest in DeFi platforms has grown significantly within a year. As DeFi protocols continue to develop, new trends will emerge to enhance the staking process and user experience.
Here are a few trends that could define the future of DeFi crypto staking:

By the end of 2025, DeFi platforms could become fully regulated in most jurisdictions, which could encourage institutional investors to dip their toes into the DeFi space. Crypto analysts believe that DeFi TVL could reach $200 billion by the end of 2025. Decentralized finance is rapidly transforming the financial sector by removing intermediaries, as per Grand View Research.

“The global decentralized finance market size was estimated at USD 20.48 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 53.7% from 2025 to 2030.”

Conclusion: Best Defi Staking Platforms

DeFi staking is a game-changing method that makes crypto staking available to anyone with an internet connection. The best crypto staking platforms also allow individuals and businesses to generate passive income through solo, pool, and SaaS staking, while liquid staking enables interactions with DeFi protocols.

As DeFi platforms evolve, staking rewards will become more competitive, leading to increased institutional adoption. To maximize DeFi staking, choose a platform that aligns with your goals. Look for reputable teams, strong security measures, and transparent reward structures. Start exploring today and take advantage of the earning potential in decentralized finance!

See also:

• Cardano Staking: How to Earn Rewards By Staking ADA
• XRP Staking: How to Earn Rewards With XRP in 2025
• Ronin Staking: How to Stake RON in 2025
• Best Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025 (for long term)

References

• Best Wallet Token. “Best Wallet Token.” https://bestwallettoken.com/en.
• “Staking Rewards”. Staking Rewards, https://www.stakingrewards.com/asset.
• “Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Revolutionizing the Financial Landscape through Blockchain Technology.” The Payments Association, https://thepaymentsassociation.org/article/decentralized-finance-defi-revolutionizing-the-financial-landscape-through-blockchain-technology/.
• “What Are DeFi Coins and Tokens?” Shardeum, https://shardeum.org/blog/what-are-defi-coins-and-tokens/.