Proof of stake blockchains and staking terms: what to know in 2026

In the crypto ecosystem, staking can be a way to help secure certain proof of stake networks and earn staking rewards. By staking tokens, users can help support network operations (which may include security and governance participation, depending on the protocol) and earn staking rewards. As the blockchain ecosystem continues to evolve, various platforms offer unique opportunities for staking, each with its own set of features, rewards, and risks. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some of the blockchain platforms in 2026 that offer staking opportunities, focusing on their unique characteristics and staking metrics.  

You can stake many of these assets on Ndax. Supported assets and staking terms can change over time, so refer to Ndax’s staking page for the current list and APY’s

Launched in 2015, Ethereum is a widely used blockchain platform. Known for its flexibility and programmability, Ethereum serves as the foundation for a vast ecosystem of decentralized applications (dApps), decentralized finance (DeFi), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Ethereum transitioned to proof of stake in The Merge (September 15, 2022), and users can stake ETH to help support the network and earn staking rewards. The shift to proof of stake significantly reduced Ethereum’s energy consumption. Scalability improvements primarily come from later upgrades and layer 2 scaling rather than The Merge itself. 

Ethereum’s smart contract functionality continues to support a broad ecosystem of applications. Ethereum’s future upgrades are expected to continue focusing on scalability, rollups, and ecosystem development, although outcomes depend on implementation, network activity, and broader market conditions. 

Founded by Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson in 2017, Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain that focuses on scalability, sustainability, and interoperability. Cardano’s development approach is often described as research-driven, with parts of its protocol design going through academic review. Its Ouroboros proof-of-stake protocol is one of the network’s key technical features.

Cardano’s staking model is designed to support network participation without proof-of-work mining. Like other proof-of-stake networks, Cardano’s long-term development depends on factors such as developer activity, network usage, governance, upgrades, and broader market conditions. Its ecosystem includes use cases across areas such as financial applications, identity, and other blockchain-based services, but adoption and outcomes are not guaranteed.
 

Launched in 2020 by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood, Polkadot is a multi-chain blockchain platform that allows different blockchains to interoperate and share information. Polkadot’s key feature is its use of parachains, which are custom blockchains that can communicate with each other. This structure is designed to support cross-chain compatibility and scalability for decentralized applications and Web3 projects. Polkadot’s shared security model allows parachains to connect to the relay chain’s validator set, although network security still depends on protocol design, validator participation, governance, and market conditions. Through its governance model, DOT holders may participate in certain network decisions, depending on the rules and processes in place. As interoperability remains an important topic in blockchain development, Polkadot is often discussed as one approach to multi-chain infrastructure. 

The Graph is a decentralized indexing protocol that helps developers retrieve data from various blockchain networks, including Ethereum. It enables developers to build and query APIs, called subgraphs, that can simplify data retrieval for decentralized applications. The Graph’s staking system is used to help incentivize participants who support indexing and query services on the network.
By organizing blockchain data for developers, The Graph supports infrastructure used by some decentralized applications. Its long-term role in blockchain data infrastructure depends on factors such as developer adoption, network usage, protocol performance, competition, and broader market conditions.

Polygon is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that enhances the speed and reduces the costs of transactions using sidechains and other technologies. Launched in 2017, Polygon offers a scalable solution for decentralized applications (dApps) and DeFi, while maintaining Ethereum's security and decentralization. Polygon’s native token, POL, can be staked to earn rewards while helping secure the network. The platform has gained significant traction among developers due to its low transaction fees and high throughput, enabling faster and cheaper decentralized applications. Polygon also supports interoperability with Ethereum, enabling seamless integration between Ethereum-based projects and the Polygon ecosystem. As DeFi platforms and dApps continue to use Polygon, the network remains one part of the broader Ethereum ecosystem. Its future role will depend on developer activity, network usage, competition, upgrades, and broader market conditions. 

Solana is often described as having high theoretical throughput (commonly cited up to ~65,000 TPS) This scalability, combined with low fees, makes Solana an attractive choice for applications requiring quick and cost-efficient transactions. The network’s ability to handle high volumes of data efficiently positions it one of the leading platforms for the growing decentralized finance and NFT markets. While Solana has faced network outages in the past, its strong developer community continues to work on improvements to ensure a more resilient network in the future.

Cosmos aims to create an “Internet of Blockchains” by enabling interoperability between different blockchain networks. Launched in 2019, Cosmos uses the Tendermint consensus algorithm and provides a framework (Cosmos SDK) for building custom blockchains, called zones, that can communicate with one another. The ATOM token is used for staking, securing the network, and governance. Cosmos’ innovative approach to blockchain interoperability allows various blockchains to communicate and share data, fostering collaboration and reducing fragmentation in the blockchain ecosystem. By enabling these independent blockchains to operate together, Cosmos is facilitating the next wave of decentralized applications that require cross-chain functionality. As more projects adopt the Cosmos SDK, the potential for creating scalable and interoperable blockchain networks is expanding, solidifying Cosmos as a critical player in the blockchain space.

Launched in 2020, NEAR Protocol focuses on scalability and user-friendliness. The platform utilizes Nightshade, an innovative sharding-based consensus mechanism that allows transactions to be processed across multiple chains simultaneously. NEAR’s fast transaction speeds and low fees make it an attractive option for developers building decentralized applications. The protocol's unique design prioritizes developer experience, providing easy-to-use tools and seamless onboarding for developers who want to build dApps. NEAR’s strong focus on user experience also extends to its efforts to simplify crypto for non-technical users, which could lead to wider adoption of decentralized services. By enabling faster and more affordable dApp development, NEAR is poised to become an important platform in the blockchain ecosystem, particularly for applications in DeFi and gaming.

Celestia, launched in 2023, is a modular blockchain designed to separate consensus and data availability from execution. This innovative approach allows developers to build custom blockchains (rollups) while leveraging Celestia’s network for consensus and data storage. This flexibility enhances scalability and interoperability, making it ideal for decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web3 projects. Celestia’s modular design allows for greater customization, as developers can optimize execution environments for their specific needs while still benefiting from the security and data availability provided by the Celestia network. This separation of concerns makes it easier to deploy high-performance blockchains tailored to specific use cases, enhancing the overall efficiency of the ecosystem.

Injective is a Cosmos-based blockchain and decentralised finance ecosystem designed for trading and related applications. Fees and execution costs vary by network conditions and application design. Injective’s focus on cross-chain compatibility allows users to trade assets across different blockchain networks without relying on centralized intermediaries.Injective is one of several blockchain ecosystems focused on decentralized exchange and DeFi use cases. By eliminating gas fees and enabling cross-chain trading, Injective makes it easier for users to access liquidity and trade various digital assets.

Launched in 2023, Sei is a layer-1 blockchain optimized for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. It utilizes Proof of Liquidity (PoL) to enhance transaction efficiency and reduce latency. Sei is designed to handle the high throughput demands of DeFi applications while maintaining low fees and fast transaction speeds. Its consensus mechanism allows it to achieve low-latency transaction finality, which is particularly important for DeFi protocols that require real-time settlement and order book management. Sei's focus on DeFi-specific features help ensure that the platform can scale efficiently and meet the growing needs of decentralized financial services.

Sui, developed by Mysten Labs and launched on May 3, 2023, is a layer-1 blockchain. Sui later introduced the Mysticeti consensus protocol on mainnet in July 2024. Sui’s architecture is designed to optimize both horizontal scalability and low-latency transaction finality, providing a solid foundation for fast, real-time applications. Its innovative consensus mechanism significantly reduces bottlenecks, enabling developers to build high-performance applications without sacrificing security. As Sui continues to evolve and scale, its potential to handle a large number of transactions at scale makes it a promising contender in the future of blockchain technology.

As the blockchain ecosystem evolves, staking continues to play a role in securing some proof of stake networks and distributing staking rewards. Each of these platforms—whether it’s Ethereum’s robust dApp ecosystem, Cardano’s research-driven approach, or Solana’s high-speed transactions—offers staking opportunities suited to different needs and preferences. Whether you’re new to staking or already familiar with crypto, understanding staking metrics such as APY, minimums, payout frequency, bonding, and unbonding periods can help explain how staking terms differ across networks. All of these assets are currently available to stake on Ndax, but supported assets, APYs, fees, and staking terms can change over time.