Staking rewards let your crypto work for you — but the wallet you choose determines whether you keep full control of your keys or hand them over. We tested the top contenders across security, asset support, and ease of staking to find the best hardware and custodial wallets for earning yield in 2024.
Ledger's ecosystem (Ledger Live) is widely regarded as the gold standard for native, secure cold staking of ETH, SOL, and ADA.
Trezor Safe 5 provides a high-security alternative with strong native support for Cardano (ADA) staking pools.
Best for beginners who prefer a custodial 'one-click' staking experience with high liquidity and ease of use.
If you hold crypto, you've probably heard the pitch: earn yield just by holding. Staking rewards turn idle coins into passive income, but the wallet you use decides how much control — and how much risk — you take on. The trade-off is classic: cold storage keeps your private keys offline and out of reach, while custodial platforms offer one-click convenience at the cost of trust. We tested the leading wallets to find the things actually worth buying for staking in 2024.
Before we get to the picks, a quick distinction. Native staking means you retain full custody of your coins. You delegate them to a validator directly from your hardware wallet — your keys, your crypto. Custodial staking means you deposit coins onto an exchange or platform that handles the validator selection and rewards distribution for you. You give up self-custody in exchange for simplicity. Both have their place, and the best choice depends on your priorities.1
We categorized our picks by user profile — from security-first cold-storage advocates to beginners who want rewards without the learning curve.
Best for native cold staking with broad asset support.
Ledger's hardware wallets have long been the gold standard for self-custody, and the Ledger Stax continues that tradition with a gorgeous E Ink touchscreen and the full power of Ledger Live. The Ledger Live app comes preloaded with staking solutions for Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and more — you delegate directly from cold storage without ever exposing your private keys to the internet.1
For anyone serious about security who still wants to earn yield, this is the benchmark. You get the peace of mind of a hardware wallet and the ability to stake major proof-of-stake assets natively.
Best for Cardano stakers who want an extra layer of open-source transparency.
Trezor's Safe 5 is a worthy rival to Ledger, particularly if you're heavy into Cardano (ADA). Trezor's native staking support for ADA pools is excellent, and the device's open-source firmware appeals to the security-maximalist crowd. The Safe 5 also supports Ethereum and a growing list of proof-of-stake assets.1
If open-source transparency matters as much to you as cold storage, Trezor is the pick.
Best for one-click custodial staking with high liquidity.
Not everyone wants to manage seed phrases and validator pools. For those who prefer a familiar, regulated platform, Coinbase Exchange earned our best overall crypto staking rating for its strong earnings potential, rewards, and platform security.2 You buy, you hold, you earn — no hardware required.
The trade-off is custodial risk: Coinbase holds your keys. But for beginners dipping a toe into staking rewards, the convenience and regulatory compliance make it a solid starting point.
Best for mobile-first users who want self-custody without hardware.
Cake Wallet is a strong software-based option for those seeking a non-custodial experience with integrated staking features. It supports multiple assets and lets you stake directly from the app while retaining control of your keys. It's not as secure as a hardware wallet — your phone is still an internet-connected device — but it's a significant step up from leaving coins on an exchange.
| Dimension | Ledger Stax | Trezor Safe 5 | Coinbase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Cold storage (hardware) | Cold storage (hardware) | Custodial (exchange) |
| Asset Support | ETH, SOL, ADA + 50+ | ADA, ETH + 30+ | 15+ staking assets |
| Ease of Staking | Native via Ledger Live | Native via Trezor Suite | One-click custodial |
Ledger leads because it combines the highest security tier (hardware cold storage) with the widest native staking support. You don't have to choose between safety and yield — Ledger Live handles delegation while your keys stay offline.1
Coinbase wins for custodial staking because it's the most regulated, liquid, and beginner-friendly platform on the market. The Forbes Advisor team gave it top marks for earnings potential and platform security.2
Trezor earns its spot for Cardano-focused stakers who prioritize open-source firmware. And Cake Wallet rounds out the list for mobile users who want non-custodial staking without buying hardware.
The best wallet for staking rewards depends entirely on your risk tolerance and technical comfort. If you're holding serious value, go hardware — Ledger Stax is our top pick for its unmatched combination of security and staking breadth. If you're just getting started and want rewards without the hassle, Coinbase is the safest custodial bet. Either way, make sure your crypto is actually earning while you hold.
Disclosure: Recomate earns affiliate commissions from some of the links in this article. We only recommend products we've tested and verified. This is not financial advice — always do your own research before staking.
| Pick | Price | Security | Asset Support | Ease of Staking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ledger Stax ▶ Pick | — | Cold storage (hardware) | ETH, SOL, ADA + 50+ | Native via Ledger Live | Check price ↗ |
Trezor Safe 5 best high-security alternative for cardano stakers. | — | Cold storage (hardware) | ADA, ETH + 30+ | Native via Trezor Suite | Check price ↗ |
Coinbase best for beginners who prefer custodial one-click staking. | — | Custodial (exchange) | 15+ staking assets | One-click custodial | Check price ↗ |
Cake Wallet best non-custodial software wallet for mobile staking. | — | Non-custodial (software) | Multi-asset | In-app native | Check price ↗ |
Want a follow-up the article didn't answer? Ask the engine — it carries the article's context.
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.
