<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What is Cardano?</strong></h2><p>Cardano is a decentralized, open-source platform that uses a proof-of-stake consensus algorithm to enable the development of secure and scalable smart contracts and decentralized applications. With a scientific philosophy and research-driven approach, Cardano aims to solve the problems of scalability and interoperability. Unlike other blockchain networks, Cardano’s open-source blockchain undergoes rigorous peer review by scientists and programmers in academia. The token that powers the Cardano network is ADA 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 ADA tokens on the Cardano network.&nbsp;</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Prerequisites</strong></h2><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Where to buy ADA</strong></h3><p>You can get ADA tokens at a cryptocurrency exchange. 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.</p><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cardano wallets</strong></h3><p>Cardano 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 Yoroi Wallet in this tutorial. Compatible wallets include:</p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ledger.com/coin/wallet/cardano"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ledger</a></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/yoroi/ffnbelfdoeiohenkjibnmadjiehjhajb"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yoroi</a></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://daedaluswallet.io/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daedalus</a></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://atomicwallet.io/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atomic Wallet</a></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://namiwallet.io/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nami</a></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://eternl.io/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eternl</a></a></li></ul><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>How to connect Cardano (ADA) to Yoroi Wallet</strong></h3><p>When setting up your Yoroi Wallet, it will automatically create a Cardano account for you.</p><figure class="wp-block-image"><p><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hjIm0xgm33qf40tDd6PcYL3W4BvrDYr8bU-EdZVV_K4ib-HY7TjjXB4ZgJW9vqeNuKRehI0LmvjHaHsK6qRkrs4RNaThlv8BIVIhcFfXrh-JTOOlMb4yJgBr_HT_nvyLEBEv7KR-TpKVsigZWlZmq_g" alt="" decoding="async"></p><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">How to Stake Cardano (ADA)</figcaption></figure><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Selecting Cardano validators</strong></h2><p>Please refer to the FAQ section titled ‘How do I choose Cardano validators’ on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stakingrewards.com/earn/cardano/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this page</a></a> when selecting Cardano validators. Also, you may want to utilize our criteria for verifying providers through the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://docs.stakingrewards.com/verified-provider-program/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Staking Rewards Verified Staking Provider (VSP) Program</a></a>.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>How Staking Rewards for Cardano (ADA) are Generated</strong></h2><p>Learn how rewards are generated in the FAQ section titled ‘How are the rewards generated’’ <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stakingrewards.com/earn/cardano/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a></a>.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>How to stake Cardano (ADA)</strong></h2><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Step 1: Make sure you have a Cardano wallet</strong></h3><p>Stake your ADA tokens using Ledger, Yoroi, Daedalus, amongst others. We will use the Yoroi Wallet in this staking tutorial.</p><p>As a popular wallet in the Cardano ecosystem, Yoroi offers users the ability to stake tokens, access blockchain apps, and manage multiple tokens in one wallet. Simply connect your Ledger to Yoroi or use Yoroi directly to stake ADA. Install the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/yoroi/ffnbelfdoeiohenkjibnmadjiehjhajb"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yoroi browser extension</a></a> or download the Yoroi wallet <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://yoroi-wallet.com/#/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a></a>. Deposit your tokens into this wallet before continuing onto step 2.</p><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Step 2: Go to the ADA staking portal on Yoroi and choose a validator</strong></h3><p>After entering your Yoroi wallet, start staking and select validators. We recommend choosing validators from our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stakingrewards.com/journal/announcing-the-staking-rewards-verified-provider-program-batch-1/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Verified Staking Provider (VSP) Program</a></a>. VPP validators have a blue tick on their logo <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stakingrewards.com/earn/cardano/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a></a>. If you are unsure of how to choose a validator, please see the FAQ section named ‘Selecting Cardano validators’ above this one to help you decide.&nbsp;</p><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><p><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/XQF0u592N0zq4XD8BdOtNxZdUvUL1iPhWd_lAu-nzpCb5bIbJgbQ2jMW8RmstYjlGLdc3tfRvHC12NL-ELG6YkQGJjwOEWauyNdyPjN8L_CBvrysrw90EkIxEVigHD6CSYgycPb0QBzFfoHSalW5_Sg" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="640" height="633"></p><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Caardano validators</figcaption></figure><ul><li>Click on ‘<strong>Delegation List</strong>’ at the top-left corner</li><li>Choose a stake pool you would like to delegate your ADA tokens to. If you are unsure of how to choose a validator, go to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stakingrewards.com/earn/cardano/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cardano profile page</a></a> and select a validator that has a blue tick next to it, copy the delegation address</li><li>Come back to the staking portal, paste the stake pool’s delegation address in the search bar and click on the search button</li></ul><figure class="wp-block-image"><p><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/k3PhIAnH_30jDEs6ZJzXyXs6-13-en-9FjL06ST0z-KM8aj0xDviIohPB2s1EqHjjdO1v_uRl0zbOBAtwiMwOdmDKT8kSxIv3mXemcMz-o_GysqKSXaPL60cryLJKpniSw7yeK54FVBg29dlbW0CIeU" alt="" decoding="async"></p></figure><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Step 3: Finalize the transaction&nbsp;</strong></h3><ul><li>Click on <strong>‘DELEGATE’</strong> on the right-hand side of the stake pool</li><li>Now input the amount of tokens you would like to stake and input the spending password you set up when creating the wallet</li><li>Click on <strong>‘DELEGATE’</strong> again to complete the transaction</li></ul><figure class="wp-block-image"><p><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/nt7zUxEHlJkWfxh5fmfGSSMO5gGMYrHI_aaJSma0v1XGR6V1_7R4cXw1DJAic_jEElE81unz4acY6VROekpNosyf75B5gufagCul9URHq9Od5p5-hvjW7ap2ZT0qSxfeBXT3OXBjtXWAz83QW_SNo8Y" alt="" decoding="async"></p></figure><p>Make sure you do NOT stake your full available balance. We recommend you to leave at least 3 ADA for gas fees. The cost of this will vary depending on the network activity on Cardano.</p><p>Congratulations! You have now staked your ADA tokens and will start earning those juicy staking rewards.&nbsp;</p><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Step 4: Track staking portfolio</strong></h3><ul><li>Track your ADA staking rewards on the staking dashboard by clicking on ‘<strong>Dashboard</strong>’</li><li>Monitor governance <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://forum.cardano.org/c/governance/140">proposals</a> on Cardano network that may impact the staking mechanism</li><li>Track the current and historical reward rates, validator count, number of unique Cardano (ADA) staking wallets, and staking ratio of the Cardano network by visiting the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stakingrewards.com/earn/cardano/">Cardano asset page</a>. 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 Cardano validators” and “How are the rewards generated” on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stakingrewards.com/earn/cardano/">Cardano asset page</a></li></ul><figure class="wp-block-image"><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/O81m-Reqhq2l3AM9JBOIwN2lsa1-CtPoDMCZ_rVo6TbJbf268A0aTKuLaP1w1NR2WrLGzXYsaHAewrOlh9P6ofOG_zXdrKop6igGG2sof-pYnBFsPDwP5scfAx0SArlp4z14WxwFPfRhafKbi_mRsvI" alt="" decoding="async"></p></figure><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Step 5: How to Unstake ADA</strong></h3><p>To unstake your ADA tokens, follow the steps below:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Click on ‘<strong>WITHDRAW</strong>’ on the staking dashboard</li><li>Read the terms and click on ‘<strong>I understand</strong>’</li><li>&nbsp;if you decide to withdraw rewards only, click on ‘<strong>KEEP REGISTERED</strong>’; if you decide to withdraw both rewards and staked positions, click on ‘<strong>DEREGISTER</strong>’</li><li>Input your password again, click on ‘<strong>CONFIRM</strong>’ to finalize your unstaking transaction</li></ul><figure class="wp-block-image"><p><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/eWVOfB7Nhu8Lg_d4R_JuGPE97Heq53zdvGxIOG0BGfZcEq6JDFA6xE4h7osKZ_6edB7ZgD2LVEIvJGpMnwyCz9eR_VcUncRGBqVNWFKCkEouDx-7IoMQW3whwzBzLrUtCkBmvN_PJGeYv2L_FEiSBwc" alt="" decoding="async"></p></figure><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Maximizing Staked Cardano (ADA)</strong></h2><p>Now that you have staked your ADA, you have 3 options which can be used to change your position. These options appear on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/yoroi/ffnbelfdoeiohenkjibnmadjiehjhajb"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ADA Staking Portal</a></a>. The options are:</p><ul><li>Stake more</li><li>Claim reward</li><li>Unbond</li></ul><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Stake more</strong></h3><p>You can stake more by delegating to the same stake pool or any other stake pools by following the instructions in Steps 2 and 3 shown above.</p><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Claim reward</strong></h3><p>The amount of accrued rewards will be available every epoch (~5 days) and shown in your dashboard. To receive your staking reward, please refer to the ‘<strong>Step 5: How to Unstake ADA</strong>’ mentioned above.</p><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Unbond</strong></h3><p>To unbond your ADA stake, please refer to the ‘<strong>Step 5: How to Unstake ADA</strong>’ mentioned above.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2><p>Staking is essential to Proof-of-Stake blockchains and comes with many benefits for investors and the network:</p><ul><li>Investors earn yield from token emissions and/or transaction fees.</li><li>Stakers become eligible for airdrops as many networks prioritize granting these benefits to them.</li><li>Staking helps to secure the network</li><li>Staking from multiple participants helps decentralize the network</li><li>Stakers can participate in governance, as many PoS networks allocate governance rights based on the amount of tokens staked.</li></ul><p>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 Cardano and thus contributing to the long-term success of your investment! Cardano needs active stakers like you to become successful long-term.&nbsp;</p><p>Now share the tutorial with your friends so they can get to start staking as well!</p><p>Lastly, don’t forget to check out the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stakingrewards.com/earn/cardano/"><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cardano (ADA) asset page</a></a> for more insights into staking ADA, and drop us a <a href="mailto:content@stakingrewards.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">message</a> if you found this tutorial useful. Happy staking!</p>

How to Stake Cardano (ADA)

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