NEAR Protocol is a simple, scalable, and secure blockchain platform designed to provide the best possible experience for developers and users. NEAR is designed to make it easier for traditional developers to build decentralised applications. While also simplifying the onboarding experience for users even if they have never used crypto, tokens, keys, or wallets. The token that powers the Near network is NEAR and it is exclusively used for trading, staking, delegating, paying transaction fees, and governance votes on the network. This tutorial will show you how to stake your NEAR tokens on the Near network.
TL;DR
- View the current NEAR staking APR here
- Use the NEAR Staking Calculator to estimate your rewards
- Lockup: 2 days
- Average commission: 8.00%
- Minimum stake: 0.1 NEAR
- Estimated time needed to stake your NEAR in your wallet: 5 minutes
- Recommended NEAR staking wallets: Ledger, NEAR Wallet
- Steps to stake:
- Download the NEAR Wallet and navigate to the staking tab in the top menu.
- Click the ‘Stake my tokens’ button and select a validator. If you’re not sure who to delegate to, you can consult our FAQ for guidance on selecting a validator.
- Click the ‘Stake with validator’ and enter the number of tokens you want to stake.
- Click ‘Submit stake’ and sign the transaction to complete the process.
Prerequisites
Where to buy NEAR
You can get NEAR tokens at a cryptocurrency exchange, at a DEX, or within select wallets. You should always do your own research when selecting a reputable cryptocurrency exchange. For best security, it is not recommended to leave your tokens on an exchange, but transfer them to your non-custodial or cold/hardware wallet after procuring them.
NEAR wallets
Near has a variety of non-custodial wallets for you to choose from. We recommend that you use a hardware wallet such as Ledger otherwise we suggest using Near wallet. Compatible wallets include:
How to connect NEAR to Near wallet
When setting up your Near wallet, it will automatically connect to the Near network and you will not need to manually connect it.
How to bridge Ethereum to Near
The Rainbow Bridge is a permissionless, trustless, decentralised bridge between Ethereum, NEAR, and Aurora. If you have existing assets on Ethereum, it’s possible to transfer them to NEAR and vice-versa. The bridge was built by Aurora, the Ethereum-compatible scaling solution built on NEAR.
To use the Rainbow Bridge, you will need to create a NEAR wallet, and you will need to install MetaMask.
- Start by connecting MetaMask, and your NEAR wallet so that you can make transfers between the NEAR network and other networks. In the example below we’ll transfer NEAR to Aurora.
- Next you need to choose the token you’re transferring, and the amount you’ll transfer. In the example below we’re transferring 1 NEAR to Aurora.
- Now, you need to confirm your transaction.
- Finally, if the transfer details are accurate and you’re satisfied with the fee, click the “Approve” button.
Note: Depending on the direction of your bridge transactions, you may be requested to confirm additional transactions in MetaMask and/or NEAR Wallet.
Selecting Near validators
Please refer to the FAQ section titled ‘How do I choose Near validators’ on this page when selecting Near validators. Also, you may want to utilize our criteria for verifying providers through the Staking Rewards Verified Staking Provider (VSP) Program.
How Staking Rewards for Near are Generated
Learn how rewards are generated in the FAQ section titled ‘How are the rewards generated’ here.
How to stake NEAR
Step 1: Make sure you have a NEAR wallet
Stake your NEAR tokens using Ledger, NEAR wallet, Trust wallet, amongst others. We will use the Near wallet in this staking tutorial.
As a popular wallet in the Near ecosystem, Near wallet offers users the ability to stake tokens, access blockchain apps, and manage multiple tokens in one wallet. Simply connect your Ledger to Near wallet or use Near wallet directly to stake NEAR. Install the Near wallet browser extension and deposit your tokens into this wallet before continuing onto step 2.
Step 2: Open the NEAR wallet and choose a validator
After entering your wallet, start staking and select validators. We recommend choosing validators from our Verified Staking Provider (VSP) Program. VSP validators have a blue tick on their logo here.
If you are unsure of how to choose a validator, please see the FAQ section named ‘Selecting Near validators’ above this one to help you decide.
Open up the NEAR wallet and follow the steps below:
- Click the ‘Staking’ tab at the top of the page
- Click the ‘Stake my tokens’ button
- Choose validators and click the ‘Select’ button on the ones you have chosen
- Click the ‘Stake with Validator’ button
Step 3: Finalize the transaction
- Enter the amount of NEAR you want to stake
- Press ‘submit stake’
- Approve the transaction in your wallet.
Congratulations! You have now staked your NEAR tokens and will start earning those juicy staking rewards.
Step 4: Track staking portfolio
- Track your NEAR staking rewards on the Near staking dashboard.
- Monitor governance proposals on Near network that may impact the staking mechanism.
- Track the current and historical reward rates, validator count, number of unique Near staking wallets, and staking ratio of the Near network by visiting the Near asset page. To make better staking decisions, it’s essential to understand these relevant data points. To learn how these data points could impact your staking rewards, please read more in the FAQ sections named “How do I choose NEAR validators” and “How are the rewards generated” on the Near asset page.
Step 5: How to Unstake NEAR
To unstake your NEAR tokens, follow the steps below:
- Go to the Staking tab
- Scroll down and find the validator you would like to unstake from in “Current Validators“
- Click the validator’s name
- Click the “Unstake” button
- Enter the amount to unstake
- Click “Unstake Tokens” and authorize the transactions
Maximizing Staked NEAR
Now that you have staked your Near, you have four options which can be used to change your position. These options appear on the Near Staking Portal. The options are:
Stake more
Stakers can add to their current stake or delegate to another validator. Simply click on the validator’s name and click ‘Stake with validator’ to add or delegate to another validator.
Restake reward
Staking rewards are not automatically compounded, so you may want to claim and stake your rewards more frequently to maximize the value of your tokens. Keep in mind that each transaction will incur gas fees. By using our NEAR staking calculator, you can calculate the optimal re-stake frequency for your amount of NEAR.
Claim reward
Users can claim their NEAR staking rewards directly in the staking tab of their wallet by clicking the ‘Claim rewards’ button.
Withdrawing
- Go to the Staking tab;
- Scroll down and find the validator you would like to unstake from in “Current Validators“
- Click the validator’s name;
- Click the “Withdraw” button and authorize the transactions.
Conclusion
Staking is essential to Proof-of-Stake blockchains and comes with many benefits for investors and the network:
- Investors earn yield from token emissions and/or transaction fees.
- Stakers become eligible for airdrops as many networks prioritize granting these benefits to them.
- Staking helps to secure the network
- Staking from multiple participants helps decentralize the network
- Stakers can participate in governance, as many PoS networks allocate governance rights based on the amount of tokens staked.
Congratulations! You are now not only getting the most out of your investment with compounded returns. YOU are also (in-)directly contributing to the decentralization, and the network security of Near and thus contributing to the long-term success of your investment! Near needs active stakers like you to become successful long-term.
Now share the tutorial with your friends so they can get to start staking as well!
Lastly, don’t forget to check out the Near asset page for more insights into staking NEAR, and drop us a message if you found this tutorial useful. Happy staking!