Staking has emerged as a popular portfolio strategy in the crypto asset space, offering both liquidity and yield. Unlike trading, which requires selling assets to realize value, staking allows holders to earn incremental returns by participating in blockchain network consensus mechanisms or on-chain protocols—all without transferring ownership of their assets.
For investors seeking additional returns while holding their assets, understanding which tokens are supported for staking on different platforms, along with their respective yield structures, is the crucial first step toward informed decision-making.
The Fundamentals and Yield Sources of Staking
To grasp staking returns, it’s essential to first understand how staking works. At its core, staking involves locking crypto assets within a blockchain network to help validate transactions, store data, or maintain network state. As a reward for contributing to the network, protocols distribute newly minted tokens or a share of network fees to stakers.
Different blockchains use different consensus mechanisms. In proof-of-stake (PoS) networks like Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), validators must stake a certain amount of native tokens to earn the right to produce blocks. By delegating assets to a validator node, stakers receive a proportional share of the node’s block rewards and transaction fees.
Staking yields fluctuate due to several factors: total network staked amount, on-chain activity, token inflation rate, and the protocol’s reward distribution rules. As a result, reference annualized yields for staking are not fixed; they adjust dynamically in response to network conditions.
Popular Tokens Supported for Staking on Gate and Reference Yields
Gate’s "On-chain Earn" section gives users access to multi-chain staking opportunities, currently supporting dozens of leading crypto assets including BTC, ETH, SOL, GUSD, GT, and USDT. Due to differences in network mechanisms and market supply-demand, reference annualized yields vary significantly across tokens.
As of July 22, 2026, based on Gate’s platform data, the reference annualized staking yields for major tokens are as follows:
- Bitcoin (BTC): Reference annual yield is 2.67%. As the foundational asset of the crypto market, Bitcoin offers relatively stable staking returns, making it suitable for long-term holders with lower risk appetites.
- Ethereum (ETH): Reference annual yield is 4.02%. With Ethereum’s full transition to PoS, staking has become a key passive income channel for ETH holders. A 4.02% reference yield is within a reasonable range among major PoS networks.
- Solana (SOL): Reference annual yield is 7.93%. Solana’s high throughput and low transaction costs have attracted a large DeFi user base. Its higher staking yield reflects active network usage and its inflation schedule.
- GUSD: Reference annual yield is 3.8%. As a regulated stablecoin, GUSD staking offers a steady income option for users looking to avoid crypto price volatility.
- GT (Gate’s native token): Reference annual yield is 0.87%. While GT’s staking yield is comparatively lower, its value lies in its diverse use cases within the Gate ecosystem, including trading fee discounts and Launchpad eligibility.
- USDT: Reference annual yield can reach up to 3.7%. As one of the most widely used stablecoins globally, USDT staking offers holders returns similar to fixed-income products.
Tiered Interest Rates: Favoring Smaller Stakers
The reference annual yields above do not apply uniformly to all staking amounts. Gate uses a tiered interest rate model—different staking amounts receive different annualized yields.
The logic behind tiered rates is that early or smaller stakers in the total pool typically enjoy higher yields, while marginal returns decrease as the total staked amount grows. This approach favors smaller stakers and is more user-friendly for everyday participants.
For example, USDT’s maximum reference annual yield of 3.7% usually applies to staked amounts within a specific range. Once staking exceeds that threshold, the excess portion earns a lower rate.
This design serves two purposes: At the protocol level, tiered rates help prevent large holders from monopolizing network validation resources by encouraging a more distributed staking pool. At the user level, smaller stakers benefit from more competitive returns, lowering the opportunity cost for ordinary users to participate in staking.
Therefore, when evaluating staking yields, users should look beyond a single headline number. Instead, they should consider their intended staking amount and consult the platform’s detailed tiered rate tables for each token to calculate expected returns accurately.
Risk Considerations in Staking
Yield is an important factor when choosing staking assets, but it’s not the only consideration. Before participating in staking, users should be aware of the following risks:
- Liquidity Risk: Staked assets are typically locked and cannot be freely transferred or traded during the staking period. While some platforms offer an "unstake" feature, this often involves a waiting period (such as the withdrawal queue on Ethereum), during which users may miss market opportunities.
- Slashing Risk: In PoS networks, if a validator node goes offline, double-signs, or acts maliciously, the protocol may slash a portion of the staked assets. Stakers who delegate to that node will share in the loss proportionally. Choosing reputable, stable validators is key to mitigating this risk.
- Protocol Risk: Staking rewards depend on protocol rules. If the protocol is attacked, exploited, or undergoes governance changes, the security of staked assets may be at risk.
- Yield Volatility Risk: Reference annual yields are dynamic and influenced by total staked amounts, token price, and protocol inflation parameters. Users should not treat current yields as guaranteed future returns.
How to Participate in Staking on Gate
Gate offers a streamlined staking experience. After logging into your Gate account, navigate to the "On-chain Earn" section to view all supported staking tokens and their reference annual yields. Each token page details the specific tiered rates, expected yield range, and minimum staking requirements.
Once you select a token and enter your desired staking amount, the system automatically calculates your expected returns and displays all key information before confirmation, including staking period, redemption rules, and important notes. Upon confirmation, staking takes effect immediately, and rewards accrue automatically according to the network’s block cycle.
Conclusion
Gate’s staking platform provides crypto holders with yield opportunities across dozens of major tokens, including BTC, ETH, SOL, GUSD, GT, and USDT. As of July 22, 2026, reference annual yields range from 0.87% (GT) to 7.93% (SOL), with significant variation. The tiered interest rate model gives smaller stakers more competitive returns and lowers the entry barrier for everyday users.
When making staking decisions, users should weigh multiple factors: reference yields, tiered rate brackets, lock-up periods, slashing risk, and protocol security. Staking is not a risk-free yield strategy—it’s an asset management approach that requires understanding the underlying network mechanisms and accepting associated risks.
FAQ
Q: What is the minimum staking amount on Gate?
Minimum staking requirements vary by token. Users can check the specific minimums on each token’s details page in the Gate "On-chain Earn" section. Some tokens have low minimums, making them accessible for smaller holders.
Q: Can I redeem my staked assets at any time?
Redemption rules depend on the token and network. Some tokens support instant unstaking, while others require a network-defined unlock period (such as Ethereum’s withdrawal queue). Please read the product details for each token carefully before staking.
Q: Are reference annual yields fixed?
No. Reference annual yields fluctuate based on total network staked amount, on-chain activity, protocol parameter changes, and more. The displayed yield is for reference only and does not guarantee future returns.
Q: How are tiered rates calculated?
Tiered rates mean different staking amount ranges qualify for different annual yields. Smaller staked amounts usually receive higher rates, while excess amounts earn lower rates. Users can view the full rate table on each token’s details page or enter their intended staking amount to see the system’s automatic yield calculation.
Q: In what form are staking rewards paid out?
Rewards are typically distributed in the same token as the staked asset. For example, staking ETH earns rewards in ETH, and staking SOL earns rewards in SOL. Rewards are automatically credited to the user’s staking account.
