How Does Staking Work in Canada?

• Canadians can access staking through platforms that offer staking features or through their own wallets, subject to product availability and platform terms.
• Staking rules (rewards, lockups, and unbonding) are set by the blockchain network and are global.
• Crypto assets and staking rewards are not covered by deposit insurance, and CIPF does not apply.

Key takeaways: In Canada, staking can be done through crypto trading platforms that offer it or through self-custody. Rewards are variable and are paid in crypto. Lockups and unbonding periods can affect liquidity. Regulation influences how platform staking services are structured and disclosed.

Staking refers to participating in a proof-of-stake network’s security and block validation process. Most Canadians stake by delegating their tokens to a validator through a platform feature that stakes on their behalf. Alternatively, users can stake their tokens directly in their own wallet.

Regardless of the method chosen, rewards are variable and can change over time under network rules and conditions.

Regulation does not change how a blockchain calculates rewards. It mainly affects the platform experience Canadians see. This includes identity verification requirements, risk disclosures, product availability, and operational controls for custody and withdrawals.

Staking is usually a custodial service. In practice, this means a user holds the crypto asset in their platform account and opts in to staking, assuming the asset is eligible. The platform then stakes eligible balances through its internal process. This often consists of pooling and delegating or validating.

Rewards, if generated, are credited back to the user’s account according to the platform’s staking terms, timings, and administrative fees.

A Canadian user would first need to buy the crypto asset on a platform, withdraw the token to their personal wallet, and then delegate to a validator inside the wallet or through the network’s staking interface.

The user is responsible for key security, selecting the correct network, and following basic safety practices, including avoiding phishing and scams. The network’s rules determine when tokens can be unstaked and when rewards can be claimed or distributed.

Neither option is universally better. Platform staking can be more operationally straightforward because the platform handles validator operations and day-to-day staking mechanics. Self-custody staking gives users direct control, but also makes the user responsible for security, backups, and avoiding errors or scams.

Platform staking typically comes with a fee on the rewards.

Yes. Ndax offers staking opportunities for certain eligible crypto assets on its platform. Staking availability depends on the specific asset and Ndax’s current staking offering. Users should review Ndax’s staking page (or the asset’s staking availability in-app) for the most up-to-date list of supported assets and terms.

Canadian securities regulators have cautioned that crypto assets are high-risk, and Canadians who choose to trade crypto are encouraged to use platforms registered with Canadian securities regulators. Crypto assets are not covered by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) or deposit insurance. Ndax operates within Canadian regulatory requirements. Canadians can check whether a crypto platform is authorised to do business with Canadians using the Canadian Securities Administrators’ list.

As of February 2026, Ndax charges an administrative fee of 20% of the total generated staking rewards. This fee is removed from rewards, not from the original staked principal. Net rewards depend on the asset’s network rules and Ndax’s staking terms.

As of February 2026, Ndax offers multiple staking opportunities. Examples of listed rates at that time included Cosmos (ATOM) at 13% APY, Polkadot (DOT) up to 10.5%, Injective (INJ) at 4.5%, Solana (SOL) at 5.5%, and Ethereum (ETH) at 2.7%.

These rates are a snapshot in time and can change based on network rules, validator performance, and overall staking participation. Users should treat these and all APY figures as variable and not guaranteed. 

Staking rewards are global and not guaranteed. Rewards can be affected by network conditions, validator performance, and the specific staking method used.

Staking conditions depend on the blockchain network’s rules, the platform’s terms, and the staking method used. Some networks may allow unstaking requests at any time but apply an unbonding delay before funds are made available. Some platform staking products may also include processing times or operational windows.

Yes. Canadians can legally stake crypto through platforms that offer staking features or through their private wallets. Availability and terms can vary depending on the asset, the platform’s registrations, and how the product is structured for Canadian users.

Is staking the same as earning “interest”?
Not necessarily. Staking rewards are generally protocol-based incentives on proof-of-stake networks, not bank interest.

Do Canadians need identity verification to stake on a platform?
On regulated platforms, identity verification is commonly required before users can use account features, including staking.

Does regulation make staking risk-free?
No. Regulation can affect disclosures and platform obligations. Crypto assets remain high-risk and staking outcomes can never be guaranteed.