Compare the best staking platforms for earning passive AI income. Liquid staking, exchange staking, and non-custodial options ranked by yield, fees, and security.
Updated February 19, 2026·6 picks reviewed
Staking platforms sit between you and the blockchain validator. Some are decentralized protocols that issue liquid tokens in return. Others are exchanges that handle everything behind the scenes. The difference matters. With a decentralized liquid staking protocol, you keep custody and get a tradeable receipt token. With an exchange, you hand over your keys for convenience. Yields also vary. The same asset can earn 3% on one platform and 5% on another depending on how they structure fees and rewards. Here is where to stake based on your priorities.
SOL stakers who care about network decentralization
Focuses on Solana decentralization
Lower yields than Jito (no MEV boost)
Detailed Reviews
#1
Lido
The biggest liquid staking protocol for Ethereum. Stake any amount of ETH and receive stETH that earns around 3-4% APY. stETH can be used across DeFi as collateral, in LP pools, or sold at any time. No lock-up.
Best for: ETH holders who want liquid staking with maximum DeFi composability
Pros
No minimum stake
stETH is liquid and composable
Largest validator set of any liquid staking protocol
Deeply integrated into DeFi
Cons
10% fee on staking rewards
Centralization concerns around market share
Smart contract risk
#2
Rocket Pool
The decentralized alternative to Lido. Anyone can run a Rocket Pool minipool with 8 ETH instead of the usual 32. rETH is the liquid staking token and it is fully permissionless with no trusted operator set.
Best for: Users who prioritize decentralization in their liquid staking choice
Pros
More decentralized than Lido
Minipool operators need only 8 ETH
rETH accrues value over time
Fully permissionless
Cons
Smaller TVL than Lido
rETH has less DeFi integration than stETH
~14% commission rate
#3
Jito
The dominant liquid staking protocol on Solana. Stake SOL and receive JitoSOL that earns staking rewards plus MEV tips. MEV redistribution is the unique selling point, boosting yields above plain SOL staking.
Best for: SOL holders who want staking yield boosted by MEV redistribution
Pros
MEV yield boost on top of staking
Liquid and composable on Solana DeFi
Growing rapidly
Solana native
Cons
Solana-only
MEV tips can be variable
Smaller track record than Lido
#4
Coinbase
The simplest way to stake if you already use Coinbase. Stake ETH, SOL, ATOM, and other assets directly in the app. Coinbase handles everything and you receive cbETH for liquid staked Ethereum.
Best for: Beginners who want staking without touching DeFi
Pros
Dead simple UX
Trusted US-regulated platform
cbETH for liquid ETH staking
No technical knowledge needed
Cons
25% commission on ETH staking rewards
Custodial (you trust Coinbase)
Fewer assets than DeFi alternatives
#5
Kraken
Competitive exchange staking with support for 20+ assets. Kraken offers both bonded and flexible staking depending on the asset. Transparent fee structure and strong security track record.
Best for: Exchange users who want a wide selection of stakeable assets
Pros
20+ stakeable assets
Flexible and bonded options
Competitive yields
Trusted exchange with proof of reserves
Cons
Custodial
SEC settlement forced changes to US staking in 2023
Not available for all assets in all regions
#6
Marinade Finance
The other major Solana liquid staking protocol. Marinade delegates SOL across hundreds of validators to improve network decentralization. mSOL is the liquid receipt token.
Best for: SOL stakers who care about network decentralization
Pros
Focuses on Solana decentralization
mSOL widely accepted in Solana DeFi
Native liquid staking + directed stake
Transparent validator selection
Cons
Lower yields than Jito (no MEV boost)
Solana-only
Smaller than Jito by TVL now
Frequently Asked Questions
What is liquid staking?
Liquid staking lets you stake tokens and receive a derivative (like stETH or JitoSOL) that represents your staked position. This derivative earns staking rewards while remaining tradeable and usable in DeFi. You get yield without giving up liquidity.
Is exchange staking safe?
Exchange staking is custodial. The exchange holds your tokens and stakes on your behalf. If the exchange gets hacked or goes bankrupt, your staked funds are at risk. The convenience trade-off is real. For large amounts, non-custodial liquid staking protocols are safer.
Which staking platform has the highest yields?
Yields depend on the asset and the platform. Jito tends to offer the highest SOL staking yields because of MEV redistribution. For ETH, Lido and Rocket Pool are comparable at 3-4% minus their commission. Exchange rates are usually lower because of higher commissions.
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.