To stake BNB, open a wallet that supports BNB Chain staking, select BNB, tap Stake, choose a validator and enter an amount. Your BNB is delegated to that validator on BNB Smart Chain and starts earning a share of the block rewards and fees it collects. When you want your BNB back, you undelegate and wait the 7-day unbonding period.
Native staking means no exchange account and no lending to anyone: the delegation is recorded on-chain and controlled by your wallet. Here's how it works, and how to do it in Virtex Wallet. New to staking? Read what is crypto staking first.
How BNB staking works
BNB Smart Chain uses a proof-of-staked-authority model. A set of validators, chosen by the amount of BNB staked with them, produce blocks in turn. Since the BNB Chain "fusion" upgrade in 2024, staking happens directly on BNB Smart Chain (the old Beacon Chain was retired).
When you delegate:
- Your BNB is staked to the validator you choose.
- You receive staking credit tokens specific to that validator, which represent your share of its stake pool.
- Rewards are added to the pool, so the value of your share grows over time.
- The validator keeps a commission on rewards.
How much does BNB staking pay?
BNB staking has historically paid in the low single digits per year. Rewards come mainly from transaction fees, so they rise and fall with network activity. Your actual rate depends on your validator's commission and performance. The app shows a current estimate before you confirm.
How to choose a BNB validator
- Commission rate. Lower is better, as long as the validator is reliable.
- Uptime and history. Validators with a clean record are less likely to be penalized.
- Active status. Only validators in the active set produce blocks and earn rewards.
- Spread your stake. Delegating to more than one validator reduces the impact if one has problems.
Step-by-step: staking BNB in Virtex Wallet
- Open Virtex Wallet and select BNB on BNB Smart Chain.
- Make sure your BNB is on BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20), not on another network. If you're moving it from an exchange, choose BSC/BEP-20 as the withdrawal network. See exchange to wallet transfers.
- Tap Stake.
- Choose a validator and review its commission and estimated reward.
- Enter the amount, leaving a little BNB for gas.
- Confirm the transaction. Your delegation appears in the app and can be checked on BscScan.
In non-custodial mode, you sign the delegation with your own keys. In custodial mode, Virtex stakes for you. (Custodial mode isn't available in the EEA, the UK or the USA.)
How to unstake BNB
- Open your BNB stake and tap Unstake.
- Your BNB enters a 7-day unbonding period. It doesn't earn rewards during this time.
- After 7 days, claim the BNB back to your available balance.
You can also redelegate to a different validator without waiting out the full unbonding, which is useful if your validator's performance drops. A small fee may apply.
Risks to know about
- Slashing. Validators that go offline for too long or double-sign can be slashed, which reduces the stake delegated to them. Choosing reliable validators lowers this risk.
- Validator jailing. A slashed validator may be temporarily removed from the active set and stop earning rewards.
- Unbonding lock. You can't sell BNB during the 7-day unbonding.
- Price risk. Rewards are in BNB, so their value moves with BNB's price.
For a deeper look across all networks, read is crypto staking safe?
Common questions
Is there a minimum amount to stake BNB? Native delegation has a low minimum, set by the protocol and shown in the app. Remember to keep BNB for gas.
Do BNB staking rewards compound automatically? Yes. Rewards are added to the validator's pool, so your staking credit tokens grow in value without you claiming.
Can I stake BEP-2 BNB? No. The old BNB Beacon Chain has been retired. Your BNB needs to be on BNB Smart Chain.
Is staking BNB in a wallet safer than on an exchange? With native, non-custodial staking, you keep control of your keys and the stake is visible on-chain. On an exchange, you rely on the exchange to hold and return your funds. Compare both in custodial vs non-custodial staking.
Stake BNB from your own wallet: download Virtex Wallet on Google Play. This article is general information, not financial advice.