How to Stake BNB: BNB Staking Guide 2025

As one of the top five cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, Binance Coin (BNB) has become a cornerstone of the crypto ecosystem, with a market cap of over $90 billion. Much like Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain uses proof of stake for consensus, and that means you can earn passive income with BNB staking.

In this guide, we’ll learn where to stake BNB safely. Options range from centralized platforms, such as the Binance exchange, to wallets that let you interact with the staking protocol directly. We’ll also discuss liquid staking tokens. First, let’s learn how to stake BNB directly.

How to Stake BNB

Staking BNB is a relatively straightforward process, although best suited to those who are familiar with using a crypto wallet. In this walkthrough, we’ll buy BNB, transfer to a wallet, and then connect the BNB staking app to choose a validator.

1. Buy BNB: Purchase BNB tokens from a cryptocurrency exchange or using a crypto wallet that supports in-app crypto purchases. We’ll discuss some options later in the BNB staking guide.
2. Transfer BNB to a wallet: Transfer your BNB tokens to a digital wallet that supports BNB.
3. Choose a staking platform: Select a reputable staking platform that supports BNB staking. In this example, we’ll bypass the middlemen and choose a validator directly.
4. Connect to BNB’s staking app: Visit BNB’s staking page and connect your wallet.
5. Delegate BNB to a validator: In effect, staking is a vote to support a validator on the network. Compare commissions (validator fees), yields, and uptime status to choose a validator. Choose “Delegate” to stake your BNB tokens to the validator you choose.
6. Earn rewards: BNB has a 24-hour epoch (cycle), so BNB staking rewards are distributed daily.

Like other crypto networks, BNB Smart Chain uses its native token (BNB) as a gas token to pay to process transactions on the blockchain. Staking will cost a small amount of BNB to interact with the staking contract to stake, withdraw, or restake.

Additional considerations include minimum staking amounts, unbonding periods, and slashing risks.

• For direct BNB staking, the BNB Smart Chain requires 1 BNB minimum.
• Unstaking begins an unbonding period of seven days, during which you will not earn yield (staking rewards).
• BNB uses slashing to enforce network protocols. If the validator you choose breaks protocol, losing all or part of your stake is possible.

We’ll cover these considerations and further details later in this BNB staking guide.

What is BNB?

BNB, or Binance Coin, is the native cryptocurrency of the BNB Smart Chain, a blockchain ecosystem developed by Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world by trading volume. BNB is a utility token that plays a crucial role in the Binance ecosystem, acting as a fuel token for transactions and smart contract interactions on the BNB Smart Chain.

The BNB token was launched in 2017 as part of Binance’s initial coin offering (ICO), which raised $15 million. At the time, BNB was issued as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain, but it was later migrated to the BNB Smart Chain, which was launched in 2020. The BNB Smart Chain is a fast, secure, and low-cost blockchain platform that enables the creation of decentralized applications (dApps) and supports the BNB token.

Compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) makes porting applications from other EVM chains easier, making BSC a popular low-cost alternative to Ethereum. As adoption grows, BNB has evolved to become more than just a utility token. Now, it is a widely accepted cryptocurrency, listed on numerous exchanges, and supported by countless wallets and payment platforms.

How Does BNB Staking Work?

To understand how the BNB Network and staking works, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of the underlying consensus algorithm. The BNB Smart Chain (BSC) uses a consensus mechanism called Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS), which is a variant of the Proof of Stake (PoS) algorithm. This consensus mechanism governs transactions on the network. However, BSC combines PoS with Proof of Authority (PoA), making it a Proof-of-Staked-Authority (PoSA) blockchain.

Validators determine whether transactions are valid, using staked tokens as a form of collateral that ensures validators follow the rules. When staking BNB, you delegate to a validator, although some platforms obscure this part of the process for simplicity.
BNB Staking Overview

Staking Overview

• Validator Selection: The BNB Smart Chain uses a consensus algorithm to select validators from a pool of candidates. To become a validator, an operator must stake a minimum of 10,000 BNB tokens. However, validators with higher amounts of staked BNB, including BNB delegated to the validator, are prioritized in selection.
• Block Validation: The selected validators are responsible for validating transactions and creating new blocks on the BSC. Validators that create a valid block are rewarded with transaction fees from that block and newly minted BNB tokens.
• Staking Rewards: BNB holders can delegate their tokens to a validator, participating in the validation process and earning a portion of the staking rewards. The staking rewards are distributed proportionally to the amount of BNB staked by each user, less the commission set by the validator (typically 7% to 10%).
• Epochs: The BNB Smart Chain operates on a 24-hour epoch cycle, so rewards are distributed daily. At the end of each epoch, new validators are also selected.
• Unbonding Period: When a user decides to stop staking their BNB tokens, they must undergo an unbonding period, which currently lasts 7 days. During this unstaking period, the user’s BNB tokens are locked and cannot be transferred or used for other purposes.

BNB staking offers several benefits, including:

• Passive Income: BNB staking provides a passive income stream, allowing users to earn additional BNB tokens without actively trading or investing.
• Low Risk: BNB staking is considered a low-risk investment, although slashing due to validator actions (downtime, double-signing, malicious signing) can result in losses.
• Supporting the Ecosystem: By participating in BNB staking, users support the BSC ecosystem, helping to secure the network and validate transactions.

In a later section of this BNB staking guide, we’ll explore the safety considerations for stakers.

BNB Staking Rates

The yield on BNB staking is determined by the amount of BNB staked on the BNB Smart Chain. The more BNB that is staked, the lower the yield will be, and the less BNB that is staked, the higher the yield will be. Supply/demand dynamics drive yields.

However, validator commissions also influence the yields on BNB staking. When you delegate BNB to a validator, the validator charges a commission on the staking rewards generated, which can range from 7% to 10% or more, depending on the validator. This commission is deducted from the rewards, resulting in a net yield that is lower than the total yield generated by the validator.

For example, if the total yield is 8% APY, and the validator’s commission is 10%, the user’s net yield would be 7.2% APY (8% – 0.8% commission). In most cases, the advertised yield accounts for commission, but it’s prudent to verify this and also to understand that yields will vary based on the supply and demand factors discussed earlier.

BNB Staking Yields Compared

Let’s compare some popular platforms for staking BNB and their current yields.

As discussed earlier, BNB staking requires a 7-day unbonding period. Liquid staking tokens (LSTs), such as those from Stader Labs and Ankr, sidestep this requirement by issuing a token that represents staked BNB. These tokens can be sold at any time, used as collateral in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, or used in liquidity pools (LPs) to generate yields. While yields for LSTs tend to outperform custodial staking with an exchange, non-custodial staking still offers the highest potential yields.

Full-featured crypto wallets, such as Best Wallet, offer the easiest onramp to non-custodial staking. They allow you to earn more while enjoying the convenience and safety of transacting from your own wallet.

Best Crypto Staking Platform for 2025

Best Wallet supports BNB alongside 60+ blockchains, giving you the flexibility to manage assets on multiple chains with one easy-to-use wallet application. The mobile app is available for Android and iOS devices, with a companion browser extension planned for an upcoming release.

With Best Wallet, you have two ways to earn a yield from BNB staking.

• Native BNB Smart Chain support means you can connect to BNB’s onchain staking app to choose a validator and stake without a middleman.
• Best Wallet’s Best DEX aggregator also lets you swap any supported asset for BNB liquid staking tokens from established platforms like Stader Labs or Ankr.

As another advantage, you don’t need to buy through a crypto exchange. Best Wallet supports direct-to-wallet purchases through several trusted providers, including Banxa, Moonpay, Topper, AlchemyPay, and many others. Payment options include Debit or credit cards and bank-funded purchases.

Best Wallet’s growing feature list follows an ambitious roadmap that promises an upcoming staking aggregator that will allow users to compare rates and stake crypto assets in just a few clicks.

Non-custodial wallets like Best Wallet let you control your crypto rather than expose your tokens to potential risks associated with exchanges. Buy, swap, stake, and much more with this versatile wallet app that’s simple enough for new users while still offering powerful features.

Where to Stake BNB

Earlier in the BNB staking guide, we learned how to stake BNB. Although the BSC staking portal remains the best place to stake BNB if you prefer control over the process, you have other options as well, including DeFi platforms and centralized platforms. First, let’s review some of the leading wallets for staking BNB.

Wallets

Wallets provide a non-custodial and secure way to manage your assets. Some popular wallet options for BNB include:

• Best Wallet: Known for its user-friendly interface and support for multiple blockchains, Best Wallet allows users to stake BNB directly by connecting to the BSC staking app. It also supports 60 other chains, making it a versatile application.
• MetaMask: A popular wallet for interacting with DeFi applications, MetaMask also supports BNB staking and provides a secure way to manage assets. However, It only supports EVM-compatible chains.

By using a non-custodial wallet, you don’t rely on a third-party platform to manage your assets. However, the process isn’t quite as easy as using a centralized exchange. Additionally, the minimum staking requirement may make this method out of reach for some users.

DeFi Platforms

DeFi platforms, including those that offer liquid staking tokens, can bypass the minimum staking requirement. Although you can use these platforms to exchange BNB for liquid staking tokens that represent your staked BNB, you can also swap BNB for these LSTs using a decentralized exchange. Popular BNB LSTs include tokens from Ankr and Stader Labs.

• Ankr: Similar to many validators, Ankr charges a 10% commission, making Ankr a competitive way to earn passive income.
• Stader Labs: Stader also charges a 10% commission, leaving a competitive yield to stakers. The protocol’s liquid staking tokens can be sold or used as collateral without the seven-day cooldown period required for onchain staking.

However, although well-tested, these LST protocols may still be vulnerable to bugs or exploits that bring unique risks. For example, a smart contract exploit could cause the value of liquid staking tokens to diverge from that of staked BNB.

If you choose to use DeFi liquid staking tokens, you can also pursue this route by using Best Wallet or a similar app. Simply buy BNB within the wallet app or transfer BNB to your wallet and then swap for the LST of your choice.

Centralized Platforms

Centralized exchanges like Binance offer a fast and easy way to stake BNB. Although centralized platforms provide the easiest path for BNB staking,  the convenience often comes at the expense of lower yields.

• Binance: As the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, Binance provides a secure and user-friendly way to stake BNB and earn rewards.
• KuCoin: A popular cryptocurrency exchange that supports BNB staking, KuCoin provides similar yields to Binance for onchain staking.

As an advantage, staking with a centralized exchange typically removes or lowers the minimum staking requirement. However, using a centralized platform may also come with a higher level of risk, as centralized platforms can be more susceptible to hacking and other security risks. Additionally, if you lose access to your account for any reason, you won’t be able to access your staked assets.

While centralized exchanges make BNB staking easier, using a wallet like Best Wallet to stake directly or swap for LSTs isn’t as complicated as you might think. Next, let’s review some safety considerations.

Is BNB Staking Safe?

BNB staking, like any other form of cryptocurrency staking, carries some level of risk. DeFi strategies carry smart contract risks, whereas when using centralized platforms, you run the risk of losing access to your account, exchange hacks, or even exchange insolvency. Let’s explore these in more detail, along with ways to mitigate risks.

Smart Contract Risks

One of the main risks associated with BNB staking is the potential for smart contract exploits. The BNB Smart Chain uses complex smart contracts to manage the staking process, and these contracts can be vulnerable to bugs or exploits. If a smart contract exploit were to occur, it could potentially result in the loss of staked BNB. This risk extends to liquid staking tokens as well.

Validator Risks

Another risk centers on the potential for validator misconduct. Validators on the BSC are responsible for validating transactions and maintaining the integrity of the network. However, if a validator were to act maliciously or fail to perform their duties, it could result in the loss of staked BNB or other assets through slashing. Validator downtime is among the larger concerns and can have lasting effects. Validators that are slashed for downtime are also given a “time out,” which can also affect yields.

Slashing Risks

BNB staking also carries the risk of slashing, which occurs when a validator fails to validate transactions or performs other actions that compromise the network’s security. If a validator is slashed, the staked BNB associated with that validator may be forfeited. This can result in lost tokens for both the validator operator and those who delegate BNB to the validator.

Custodial Risks

Users who stake their BNB through a centralized exchange or other custodial platform also face the risk of custodial loss. If the exchange or platform is hacked or experiences a security breach, the user’s staked BNB could be stolen or lost.

Best Practices for Safe BNB Staking

While there are risks associated with BNB staking, there are also steps that users can take to minimize those risks and ensure a safer experience. Some best practices for safety include:

• Staking through a reputable and trusted platform, such as the BSC staking portal or a well-established exchange
• Diversifying staked assets across multiple validators to reduce the risk of validator misconduct or slashing
• Monitoring the performance of validators and adjusting staking allocations as needed
• Keeping software and wallets up to date to ensure the latest security patches and features
• Using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication to protect accounts and assets

Following these best practices and being aware of the potential risks associated with staking can help ensure a safer staking experience.

Conclusion

BNB staking offers a low-risk way to earn passive income on your crypto holdings. However, the process isn’t completely risk-free. One of the larger considerations centers on access to an exchange account and the health of the exchange itself. To reduce third-party risks, you can use a trusted non-custodial wallet like Best Wallet for BNB staking.

This approach gives you two options: you can stake directly using the BNB Smart Chain staking app, or you can swap any supported asset for liquid staking tokens that represent staked BNB. Best Wallet’s user-friendly interface makes BNB staking available for anyone.

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FAQs

References:

• BNB Chain Staking (bnbchain.org)
• Crypto Exchanges (messari.io)
• Cryptocurrency Prices by Market Cap (coingecko.com)
• BNB Slash (bnbchain.org)
• Unavailability ( bnbchain.org)

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