How to Stake NEAR Protocol in 2026
How much can you earn?
Estimate your rewards from staking NEAR Protocol.
What is NEAR Protocol staking?
Staking NEAR Protocol means locking your NEAR to help validate transactions on the NEAR Protocol network. In return you earn rewards — currently about 4.7% a year. Your NEAR stays yours the whole time; you're delegating it, not giving it away.
Is staking NEAR Protocol worth it in 2026?
At ~4.7% APY, NEAR Protocol staking offers a solid middle-ground return. There's moderate risk — think lock-up periods and the usual price volatility — so it suits holders who are comfortable leaving NEAR staked for a while rather than trading it actively.
Follow the step-by-step guide below to start staking NEAR.
How to stake NEAR Protocol
Set up your wallet
Download a NEAR Protocol-compatible wallet (MetaMask, Ledger, or the native wallet). Secure your seed phrase offline.
Get NEAR
Buy NEAR on a major exchange (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken) and transfer to your wallet. Keep a little extra for gas fees.
Choose a staking option
No minimum required. Delegate any amount to a validator or use a liquid staking protocol for maximum flexibility.
Start earning
Confirm the transaction and you're staking. Rewards accumulate automatically — check in periodically to monitor your position.
What to watch out for
NEAR Protocol staking — common questions
What is the current NEAR staking APY?
The current NEAR Protocol staking APY is approximately 4.70%. This rate fluctuates based on network participation and total staked supply. Data is updated every few hours.
Is there a minimum to stake NEAR?
No minimum stake required for NEAR Protocol. You can start with any amount.
How risky is NEAR staking?
NEAR Protocol staking carries medium risk. There are some risks including potential slashing, lock-up periods, and smart contract risk.
What type of staking does NEAR use?
NEAR Protocol uses native staking. Stake directly on the blockchain by delegating to validators.
What percentage of NEAR is staked?
About 30.0% of the total NEAR Protocol supply is currently staked, worth $526.86M.