From Cointelegraph, June 15, 2025 07:46 AM:

Staking Solana allows you to earn passive income through staking rewards while participating in network governance. There is no minimum requirement for staking Solana, but the practical minimum is around 0.01 SOL. All you need to start staking Solana is a SOL-compatible wallet. Staking is considered one of the safer ways to participate in crypto ecosystems. Solana is a blockchain network known for its fast transaction speeds and extensive ecosystem of decentralized applications (DApps). It combines the proof-of-stake (PoS) and proof-of-history (PoH) consensus mechanisms, allowing you to stake its native currency, SOL, to earn rewards.

Solana staking consists of locking SOL into a cryptocurrency wallet. Staking rewards are based on how much you’ve staked, Solana’s current inflation rate, total amount of SOL staked, and how long you’ve been staking. Staking gives you governance rights and increases network security. Rewards are paid out every two days in epochs. By staking SOL, you’re delegating funds to a Solana validator who votes on network proposals.

To stake Solana, you need a SOL-compatible wallet like the Phantom Wallet. Fund your wallet with SOL, then choose between Liquid Staking or Native Staking. Liquid Staking retains liquidity, while Native Staking locks your funds. Choose a validator and stake your SOL to start earning rewards. Validators with substantial stake have more voting power.

Unstaking your Solana funds is necessary if you want to convert SOL, stake elsewhere, or if your validator is not acting in the network’s best interest. To unstake natively staked tokens, select the validator and withdraw your stake. For LSTs, choose between immediate or delayed unstaking on Jito’s platform. Staking Solana with as little as 0.01 SOL makes it accessible.

Staking Solana is relatively safe, but risks include market volatility, validator behavior, cyberthreats, and past network downtime. While staking offers rewards, it’s essential to understand the risks involved and evaluate your risk tolerance before staking. Conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions.

Read more at Cointelegraph: A step-by-step guide for beginners