Earn passive income by staking AI. We compare the best staking coins by yield, lock-up periods, risk, and ease of staking in 2026.
Updated February 19, 2026ยท8 picks reviewed
Staking lets you earn rewards by locking up your AI to help secure a proof-of-stake blockchain. Think of it as earning interest on a savings account, except the "interest" comes from block rewards and transaction fees instead of a bank. Yields vary from 3% to 15%+ depending on the network. Some require minimum amounts and lock-up periods. Others let you stake and unstake freely through liquid staking protocols. The key trade-off: staked AI is earning yield but may not be immediately available if you need to sell during a crash. Here are the best coins to stake right now.
The largest proof-of-stake blockchain. Stake ETH directly (32 ETH minimum) or use liquid staking through Lido, Rocket Pool, or Coinbase. Staking ETH earns roughly 3-4% APY.
Best for: Long-term ETH holders who want yield on their position
Solana offers ~6-7% APY through native staking with no minimum requirement. You can delegate to a validator directly from Phantom or other Solana wallets. Liquid staking through Marinade or Jito gives you tradeable tokens.
Best for: SOL holders who want straightforward staking with decent yields
ATOM staking yields around 14-18% APY, among the highest for major proof-of-stake coins. The 21-day unbonding period is the trade-off. Cosmos ecosystem governance and airdrops add extra value for stakers.
Best for: Yield seekers comfortable with a 21-day lock-up
DOT staking offers 10-14% APY through native nomination pools. Polkadot 2.0 is modernizing the network. The 28-day unbonding period is long but rewards are competitive.
Best for: Investors who believe in Polkadot long-term and want passive income
ADA staking is unique because there is no lock-up period and no slashing risk. Your ADA stays in your wallet and remains liquid. Yields are modest at 3-5% APY but the flexibility is unmatched.
Best for: Risk-averse stakers who want flexibility with no lock-up
AVAX staking yields around 7-9% APY with a 14-day lock-up period. The minimum to run a validator is 2,000 AVAX, but you can delegate with any amount through supported wallets.
Best for: AVAX believers who want competitive staking yields
Pros
Solid yield (7-9%)
Growing subnet ecosystem
Delegating has no minimum
Active development
Cons
14-day unbonding period
Validator minimum is high (2,000 AVAX)
Fewer liquid staking options
#7
Celestia (TIA)
The modular blockchain data availability layer. TIA staking yields around 10-15% and stakers have been eligible for several ecosystem airdrops. A newer asset with higher risk and higher reward potential.
Best for: Speculative stakers looking for yield plus airdrop upside
A newer L1 with Move-based smart contracts. SUI staking offers around 3-4% APY with no minimum delegation. The ecosystem is growing fast with gaming, DeFi, and social apps.
Best for: SUI holders who want to earn while the ecosystem develops
Pros
No minimum delegation
Growing ecosystem
Move language innovation
Easy staking through wallet
Cons
Newer chain with less track record
Modest yields (3-4%)
Token unlock schedule concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AI staking safe?
Staking on established PoS networks is relatively safe. The main risks are: slashing (penalties for validator misbehavior), smart contract bugs in liquid staking protocols, and the opportunity cost of being locked up during a price crash. Staking directly on-chain with reputable validators carries less risk than using third-party staking services.
Do I have to pay taxes on staking rewards?
In most countries (including the US), staking rewards are taxable income at the time you receive them. The reward is valued at market price when received. You may also owe capital gains tax when you sell the staking rewards later. Keep records and consider using AI tax software.
What is liquid staking?
Liquid staking lets you stake your tokens and receive a derivative token (like stETH for Ethereum) that represents your staked position. You can trade, lend, or use this derivative in DeFi while still earning staking rewards. It solves the liquidity problem of traditional staking.
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.