The best platforms for earning yield on your AI. DeFi lending, liquid staking, and CeFi earn programs compared by rates, risk, and ease of use.
Updated February 20, 2026·6 picks reviewed
Earning yield on AI is one of the few things in this space that makes obvious sense. Your coins are sitting there anyway. They might as well be working. But after Celsius, BlockFi, and Voyager blew up, everyone learned the hard way that "where" you earn matters as much as "how much." DeFi protocols survived the 2022 wipeout because smart contracts don't steal customer funds to make bad bets. CeFi platforms that remained transparent survived too. The platforms below are the ones that proved themselves through the worst bear market in AI history. They're still here and they're still paying yield.
Advanced users who want fixed-rate yield or yield speculation
Fixed yield in DeFi (unique)
Steep learning curve
Detailed Reviews
#1
Aave
The largest decentralized lending protocol, and still the safest place to earn yield in DeFi. Deposit stablecoins and earn 3-8% depending on market demand. Deposit ETH and earn 1-3%. Everything is transparent on-chain. You can see every dollar deposited and borrowed in real-time. No one is taking your deposits to make leveraged bets in the Bahamas.
Best for: DeFi users who want the safest, most liquid lending market
Pros
Largest DeFi lending TVL
Transparent on-chain (you can verify everything)
Multi-chain (10+ deployments)
Battle-tested through multiple bear markets
Cons
Rates fluctuate with supply and demand
Need to understand DeFi basics
Gas fees on Ethereum mainnet (use L2 deployments)
No fixed rates
#2
Compound
The protocol that invented DeFi lending. Compound V3 stripped things down to focused single-asset markets. The USDC market on Ethereum is the flagship. Clean, simple, reliable. It's not flashy and it doesn't need to be. Sometimes boring is exactly what you want for your yield-earning strategy.
Best for: Users who want battle-tested simplicity for stablecoin lending
Pros
Pioneer of DeFi lending
Simple, focused design in V3
Clean security track record since 2018
Trusted by institutions
Cons
Smaller TVL than Aave
Lower yields on some assets
Less multi-chain expansion
Fewer supported assets
#3
Nexo
One of the few CeFi earn platforms that survived 2022 intact. Nexo maintained withdrawals through the entire crisis, published real-time proof of reserves via Armanino, and is regulated in multiple jurisdictions. Earn up to 12% on stablecoins (with NEXO token and fixed terms). It's CeFi done right, if you're okay with custodial risk.
Best for: CeFi users who want managed earning with transparency
Pros
Survived 2022 without freezing withdrawals
Real-time proof of reserves
Regulated in multiple jurisdictions
Up to 12% on stablecoins (with conditions)
Cons
Custodial (you trust Nexo with your funds)
Best rates require NEXO token holdings
Fixed terms lock up your funds
CeFi risk is always present
#4
Lido
If you hold ETH, Lido turns it into a yield-bearing asset. Deposit ETH, get stETH that earns ~3-4% APY from Ethereum staking rewards. The yield is real. It comes from block rewards and transaction tips, not token emissions or ponzinomics. stETH stays liquid so you can sell or use it in DeFi anytime.
Best for: ETH holders who want sustainable yield from staking
Pros
Yield from real Ethereum staking (not emissions)
stETH stays liquid
No minimum stake
Widely accepted across DeFi
Cons
~3-4% isn't exciting compared to DeFi farming
10% fee on staking rewards
Smart contract risk
Centralization concerns
#5
Jito
Jito does for SOL what Lido does for ETH, but with a twist: MEV redistribution. Stake SOL through Jito, get JitoSOL, and earn staking rewards plus a share of MEV tips extracted by Jito validators. This consistently pushes yields 0.5-1% above normal SOL staking. Real yield, not incentive farming.
Best for: SOL holders who want maximum real yield on their staking
Pros
MEV-boosted staking yield
JitoSOL composable in Solana DeFi
Yield comes from real network activity
Largest Solana liquid staking by TVL
Cons
MEV yield varies with Solana activity
Solana only
Newer than Ethereum liquid staking options
JTO governance still developing
#6
Pendle
Pendle lets you lock in fixed yields on any yield-bearing asset. Got stETH earning variable 3-4%? Pendle can split it into a principal token and a yield token. Sell the yield token and you've locked in a guaranteed return. Or buy yield tokens to speculate that rates will go up. It's yield trading, and nothing else in DeFi does it.
Best for: Advanced users who want fixed-rate yield or yield speculation
Pros
Fixed yield in DeFi (unique)
Yield trading for speculation or hedging
Works with stETH, GLP, and many yield tokens
Growing multi-chain presence
Cons
Steep learning curve
Understanding PT/YT takes time
Less battle-tested than Aave or Compound
Yields depend on market dynamics
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to earn yield on AI after Celsius?
DeFi protocols like Aave and Compound never froze withdrawals. Smart contracts don't make risky bets with your money. The 2022 blowups were CeFi companies mismanaging customer funds. DeFi earning carries smart contract risk, which is different from counterparty risk. Both exist, but at least smart contract risk is auditable.
What are realistic yield expectations in 2026?
Stablecoins: 3-8% on Aave/Compound depending on demand. ETH staking: 3-4% via Lido or Jito (SOL: 6-8%). Anything promising 20%+ should be scrutinized. Where does the yield come from? If you can't answer that clearly, the yield is probably coming from new depositors (ponzi) or token emissions (unsustainable).
DeFi or CeFi for earning yield?
DeFi is more transparent and eliminates counterparty risk (no human can misuse your funds). CeFi (like Nexo) is simpler and may offer higher rates but adds custodial risk. For serious amounts, DeFi is generally safer. For convenience with smaller amounts, a transparent CeFi platform is fine.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before investing in any AI technology or using any platform. Some links may be affiliate links.