Kraken Stakingreal yield, lockups, and risk
Staking turns idle crypto into a stream of rewards. It's neither a savings account nor a guaranteed investment: the capital stays exposed to the volatility of the staked asset.
How it works
On a proof-of-stake network, holders lock up tokens to help validate transactions and receive a share of the issuance in return. Kraken pools this operation: you delegate, the platform runs the infrastructure and keeps a commission on the rewards.
The displayed rate is therefore a yield net of commission but gross of risk: a 5% rise in rewards doesn't offset a 40% drop in price.
What to check before staking
- The unbonding period imposed by the protocol
- The commission the platform keeps from the rewards
- The asset's volatility, which dominates the yield by far
- Your ability to track each reward for tax purposes
Related fees: see the Kraken fee schedule.
Staking vs simply holding
| Criterion | Staking | Simply holding |
|---|---|---|
| Passive income | Yes, variable | No |
| Liquidity | Sometimes delayed | Immediate |
| Tax tracking | Heavier, every reward counts | Simple |
| Market risk | Same, plus a lockup | Same, no lockup |
Common questions about staking
Is Kraken staking available where I live?
Availability and the list of eligible assets vary by country and have changed over time after past regulatory restrictions — check your own Kraken interface for what's currently offered to you.
What yield can I expect?
It depends entirely on the asset: roughly a few percent annually on major proof-of-stake networks, more on more volatile assets. The displayed rate is annualized, variable, and net of the platform's commission.
Are the funds locked up?
Depends on the asset: some allow near-instant withdrawal, others impose an unbonding period set by the protocol, ranging from a few days to several weeks.
How are staking rewards taxed?
Tax treatment of staking rewards depends on your country of residence. Keep precise records of every reward — check with a local tax professional rather than assuming a specific rule applies.
Before you stake, remember the welcome bonus: see the amounts and conditions.
Open an account before you stake
Sign up with the referral code, fund the account, then choose your assets.
Kraken referral code · September 2026
The link pre-fills the code. If you type it manually, do it during account creation.
Personal referral link, no extra cost to you : ↗ opens kraken.com in a new tab.
Next: verify your identity (KYC), deposit funds, then track when the reward is paid.