Requires exactly 32 ETH minimum. Run your own validator node. Full control, no counterparty risk. Best for technical users.
No minimum. Use Lido (stETH), Rocket Pool (rETH), or Coinbase (cbETH) for any amount. Receive a liquid token you can use in DeFi.
APR varies based on total ETH staked and network activity. Currently ~3.4% as of 2026. Liquid staking protocols may charge 5–15% fees on rewards. Tax treatment of staking rewards varies by jurisdiction.
How Ethereum Staking Works
Since Ethereum's Merge in September 2022, ETH is secured by Proof of Stake validators instead of Proof of Work miners. Stakers lock 32 ETH to operate a validator node and earn protocol rewards — currently around 3.4% APR on the network average. The APR fluctuates inversely with the total amount of ETH staked: more stakers means lower individual rewards, since the total issuance is fixed per slot.
If you have less than 32 ETH, or don't want to manage a node, liquid staking protocols like Lido Finance (stETH) and Rocket Pool (rETH) let you stake any amount and receive a liquid token in return. These tokens accrue staking rewards automatically and can be used as collateral in DeFi. Compare stablecoin yields alongside ETH staking with the Stablecoin Yield Comparison, or calculate SOL staking returns with the SOL Staking Calculator.