We compared the top centralized crypto exchanges for staking rewards based on asset variety, fee structures, and regional availability. Coinbase leads for beginners with a polished interface and support for nine major assets, while Uphold offers the widest selection with boosted rates up to 15%.
If you hold crypto, you've probably heard the pitch: the things actually worth buying aren't just tokens — they're the yields those tokens can generate while you sleep. Staking lets you put your proof-of-stake assets to work, earning rewards for helping secure the network. But running your own validator node is technical, expensive, and impractical for most retail investors. That's where centralized exchanges step in.
The trade-off is real: exchanges take a cut of your rewards in exchange for convenience, liquidity, and zero technical overhead. The question is which one gives you the best deal — and for most people, the answer comes down to three things: asset variety, fee transparency, and regional access.
Here are the exchanges we recommend for staking rewards in 2025.
Coinbase remains the gold standard for onboarding new crypto investors, and its staking product is no exception. The exchange supports staking on nine different coins, including Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Avalanche (AVAX), and Polkadot (DOT)2. The interface is clean, the staking process takes about three clicks, and rewards are paid out automatically on a schedule you can track in-app.
The catch? Coinbase takes a 25–35% commission on staking rewards — one of the highest cuts in the industry. That's the price of simplicity. For many users, especially those new to crypto, the convenience justifies the fee. You don't need to research validators, manage keys, or worry about lock-up periods on most assets.
Who it's for: Beginners who want a trusted, regulated platform with a smooth UX and are willing to pay a premium for it.
If Coinbase is the safe bet, Uphold is the power user's choice — and it's the platform NerdWallet specifically names as the best crypto exchange for staking in 20251. Uphold supports staking on over 21 different cryptocurrencies, far more than any major US-based competitor. That includes everything from blue-chip assets like Ethereum and Solana to smaller-cap tokens that can offer higher yields.
What really sets Uphold apart is its "boosted" staking rates, which can reach up to 15% APY on certain locked assets1. These boosted rates typically require a commitment period, but for investors willing to lock up their tokens, the returns can significantly outpace what Coinbase or Binance.US offer on the same assets.
Who it's for: Experienced crypto holders who want maximum asset choice and are comfortable navigating a wider range of staking options and lock-up terms.
Binance.US, the American arm of the world's largest crypto exchange, offers staking on Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Polkadot, along with 18 other tokens — putting its selection close to Uphold's3. Reward rates are generally competitive, and the platform's deep liquidity means you can enter and exit positions with minimal slippage.
The caveats are regulatory. Binance.US has faced significant legal and operational challenges in the US market, and its availability varies by state. If you can access it, the staking product is solid — but you should be aware of the ongoing uncertainty around the platform's long-term US operations.
Who it's for: Users in eligible states who want broad asset selection and don't mind navigating a more complex platform interface.
The biggest differentiator between these platforms isn't the reward rate — it's the fee structure. Here's how they stack up:
| Exchange | Staking Fee | Stakeable Assets | US Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | 25–35% | 9 coins | All 50 states |
| Uphold | Varies by asset | 21+ coins | Most states |
| Binance.US | Competitive | 22+ coins | Limited states |
Coinbase's 25–35% commission is the most transparent — and the most expensive. Uphold and Binance.US embed their fees into the reward spread, which can make comparison harder but often results in higher net yields for the user.
Centralized exchanges make staking dead simple, but they also take a cut and hold your assets. The alternative is self-custody staking through a non-custodial wallet like Ledger or MetaMask, where you keep full control of your private keys and typically earn higher net rewards.
The trade-off is responsibility: you're on the hook for validator selection, network updates, and security. For most retail investors, the convenience of an exchange is worth the fee — especially when you're just starting out. As your portfolio grows, diversifying into self-custody staking becomes more attractive.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you sign up for services through our links. This helps us keep our recommendations independent and up to date.
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Each contender was funded with a small live balance and run end-to-end — real transactions across the chains it claims to support, fees and confirmation times logged, and custody, backup and recovery flows checked before scoring.
