Understanding Liquid Staking
Traditional staking locks your crypto for a set period. Liquid staking solves this by giving you a derivative token that represents your staked position. This derivative can be traded, used as onderpand, or stortinged in DeFi protocols - all while your underlying stake continues earning rewards.
How Liquid Staking Works
Step 1
Deposit ETH
Step 2
Receive stETH
Step 3
Use in DeFi
Result
Double Yield!
Traditional vs Liquid Staking
| Aspect | Traditional | Liquid |
|---|---|---|
| Liquidity | Locked for days/weeks | Trade anytime on DEX |
| DeFi Usage | Cannot use staked assets | Use in lending, LPs, etc. |
| Yield Optimization | Single source of yield | Stack multiple yields |
| Flexibility | Wait for unbonding | Exit position instantly |
| Complexity | Simple | More complex, smart contract risk |
Top Liquid Staking Protocols
Compare the leading liquid staking options for ETH and SOL
Lido
ETH → stETH | Ethereum
TVL: $25B+
The largest liquid staking protocol, controlling ~30% of all staked ETH. stETH is the most widely used liquid staking token with deep DeFi integrations.
Voordelen
- Most liquid and widely accepted
- Deep DeFi integrations
- Daily rebase rewards
- No minimum stake
Nadelen
- 10% fee on rewards
- Centralization concerns
- stETH can trade at discount
Rocket Pool
ETH → rETH | Ethereum
TVL: $4B+
The most decentralized liquid staking option. Anyone can run a node with just 8 ETH. rETH uses an exchange rate model rather than rebasing.
Voordelen
- Most decentralized option
- Permissionless node operators
- Accumulating token model
- Insurance through RPL
Nadelen
- Lower TVL than Lido
- Slightly lower APY
- Less DeFi integration
Binance WBETH
ETH → WBETH | Ethereum/BNB Chain
TVL: $2B+
Binance's wrapped staked ETH. No staking fee on Binance. WBETH can be used across DeFi on both Ethereum and BNB Chain.
Voordelen
- Zero fees on Binance
- Easy to stake/unstake
- Cross-chain utility
- Trusted CEX backing
Nadelen
- Centralized (Binance)
- Lower APY
- Less DeFi adoption
Marinade Finance
SOL → mSOL | Solana
TVL: $1.5B+
The leading liquid staking protocol for Solana. mSOL can be used throughout Solana DeFi while earning staking rewards.
Voordelen
- Zero management fee
- High SOL APY
- Wide Solana DeFi support
- Instant unstaking option
Nadelen
- Solana-specific
- Network outage risk
- Smaller ecosystem than ETH
Jito
SOL → jitoSOL | Solana
TVL: $2B+
Solana liquid staking with MEV rewards. jitoSOL holders earn staking rewards PLUS a share of MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) profits.
Voordelen
- Higher APY from MEV
- Growing quickly
- Strong DeFi integration
- No management fee
Nadelen
- Newer protocol
- MEV rewards variable
- Solana-specific
Yield Stacking Calculator
See how liquid staking enables additional yield through DeFi
Base Staking APY
4.0%
$400.00/year
+ DeFi Boost
+5%
(Lending/LP farming)
Total Stacked Yield
9.0%
$900.00/year
Yield stacking example: Deposit ETH to get stETH (4% APY), then storting stETH in Aave as onderpand (earn additional 1-3%) or provide liquiditeit on Curve (earn additional 2-5% in handelskosten + CRV rewards).
DeFi Use Cases for Liquid Staking Tokens
Collateral on Aave/Compound
+1-3%Use stETH as onderpand to borrow other assets while earning staking rewards.
Curve Liquiditeit Pools
+3-8%Provide stETH/ETH liquiditeit on Curve for handelskosten + CRV rewards.
Leveraged Staking
+5-15%Borrow ETH against stETH, stake it, repeat. Multiply your staking exposure.
Pendle Yield Trading
VariableSeparate and trade the yield component of your staked position.
Easy Liquid Staking on Binance (WBETH)
For those who want liquid staking without interacting with DeFi protocols directly, Binance offers WBETH with zero fees.
Binance-account aanmaken
Sign up with code TRADEOFF20 for 20% off handelskosten.
Deposit or Buy ETH
Transfer ETH to your Binance Spot portemonnee or buy directly.
Go to Earn > ETH Staking
Navigate to the ETH Staking section in Binance Earn.
Stake ETH for WBETH
Stake your ETH and receive WBETH 1:1. WBETH accrues value over time.
Use WBETH
Hold for staking rewards, trade on markets, or use in supported DeFi.
Risks to Consider
- Smart Contract Risk:Liquid staking protocols could have bugs. Only use audited, battle-tested protocols.
- Slashing Risk:If validators behave badly, staked ETH can be slashed. This affects your derivative token value.
- Depeg Risk:stETH/rETH can trade at a discount to ETH during market stress (as seen in 2022).
- Regulatory Risk:Liquid staking could face regulatory scrutiny as a "security" in some jurisdictions.
- Complexity Risk:DeFi yield stacking adds layers of smart contract risk. Start simple.
Veelgestelde vragen
Start Liquid Staking Today
Get WBETH on Binance with zero fees or explore DeFi liquid staking protocols. Use code TRADEOFF20 for 20% off fees.
Verwijzingscode: TRADEOFF20