Staking & DeFi Guides
The guides we wish existed when we started staking. What it actually is, what it isn't, and what to look at before you click delegate.
Basics
What Is Staking?
A plain-English introduction to staking: how you earn rewards by helping secure a blockchain, and why it matters.
What Is a Validator?
Validators are the computers that process transactions and keep the network honest. Learn what they do and how they earn fees.
What Is a Staking Provider?
Staking providers run the infrastructure so you don't have to. Discover how they work, what they charge, and how to pick one.
What Is Liquid Staking?
Liquid staking lets you earn rewards while still using your tokens elsewhere. Here's how it works and what to watch out for.
APY vs APR in Crypto
APY and APR look similar but mean very different things for your returns. We break down the math in simple terms.
Inflation in Proof-of-Work
Bitcoin and other PoW chains create new coins to pay miners. Learn how issuance schedules, halvings, and fixed supplies work.
Chains
Assets
What Are Staking Assets?
Not every token can be staked. Learn which assets support staking, how rewards vary, and what 'native staking' really means.
Liquid Staking Tokens Explained
stETH, rETH, cbETH and the rest. Side-by-side breakdown of what each represents and how rewards flow.
DeFi
What Is DeFi Yield Farming?
Yield farming lets you lend or pool tokens to earn extra returns. Learn the basics, the risks, and how it differs from staking.
What Is a DeFi Protocol?
Lido, Aave, Uniswap — what is a DeFi 'protocol' actually, and how do you read what each one does? A novice-first explainer.
Earning on Solana with Meteora
Meteora is one of Solana's biggest yield apps. DLMM, DAMM V2, vaults — what each product does, who they're for, and what the risks look like.
What Is Copy LP? (Meteora and Beyond)
Concentrated liquidity is hard. 'Copy LP' lets you mirror a manager's position on Meteora, Uniswap V3, and other DEXes — what you pay, what you get, what can go wrong.
Stablecoin Yield: USDC, USDT, DAI
Earn interest on dollar-pegged tokens — without crypto-price volatility. The mechanics in plain English.
How-to
How to Start Staking
Five steps from holding tokens to earning rewards. The plainest-English walkthrough you'll find.
How Much Can I Earn Staking $1,000?
A live look at what $1,000 of ETH, SOL, BTC, USDC, ATOM, and ADA earns at today's rates.
How Much Can I Earn in DeFi?
DeFi headlines beat native staking on rate, but layer in extra risk. A live look at what LP, lending, and farming pools pay across the major chains.
Risk
Staking Risks Explained
Six real ways stakers lose money — what causes each one, how often it happens, what to do about it.
Why Does stETH Sometimes Trade Below 1 ETH?
stETH should track ETH 1:1. Sometimes it trades at a discount. Here's exactly why, and what it means for you.