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How to Stake ATOM (Cosmos)

· 5 min read

In this lesson, we’ll go step by step through how to stake ATOM, the native token of the Cosmos blockchain.
You’ll learn how to set up a Keplr Wallet, transfer ATOM from an exchange, choose a validator, and start earning staking rewards.

Step 1 — Install and Set Up Keplr Wallet​

To stake ATOM, you’ll need the Keplr Wallet, which is available as:

  • A browser extension for Chrome or Firefox, and
  • A mobile app for iOS and Android.

In this example, I’ll use the Chrome extension.

  1. Go to the Chrome Web Store and install Keplr.
  2. After installation, click the Keplr icon in your browser.
  3. Select Import Existing Wallet — if you already have a seed phrase — or Create New Wallet if this is your first time.
  4. Choose the 24-word phrase option, enter your mnemonic phrase, assign a wallet name, and create a password for transaction signing.

✅ Once complete, your Keplr wallet is ready for use.

If you have a Ledger hardware wallet, you can connect it directly for enhanced security instead of using a software wallet.

Step 2 — Buy ATOM Tokens​

Before staking, you’ll need to purchase ATOM.
You can buy it on most major exchanges — here, we’ll use Bybit.

  1. Log in to Bybit.
  2. Search for the ATOM/USDT trading pair.
  3. Choose your order type:
    • Limit order — executes at your set price (might take time).
    • Market order — executes instantly at the best available price.
  4. Buy the desired amount (for example, $10 worth of ATOM).

At the time of recording, 1 ATOM ≈ $9, so a single token is sufficient for demonstration.

Step 3 — Withdraw ATOM to Your Keplr Wallet​

After purchasing ATOM:

  1. Go to the Withdraw section on Bybit.
  2. Paste your Cosmos (ATOM) wallet address from Keplr.
  3. The exchange will automatically detect the Cosmos network.
  4. Double-check the network and address to avoid mistakes.

Important: Some transfers require a Tag or Memo field to identify your account.

  • When sending to an exchange, you usually must include it.
  • When sending to your own wallet, it’s typically unnecessary.
    Omitting a required Memo can result in lost funds — although most exchanges can help recover them if contacted promptly.

Enter the withdrawal amount, confirm, and pay a small network fee.
Within a few minutes, your ATOM tokens should appear in your Keplr wallet.

Step 4 — Start Staking ATOM​

Now that your wallet is funded, you can start staking.

  1. Open Keplr Wallet and click the Stake section.
  2. You’ll be redirected to the Cosmos Dashboard.
  3. Review your total ATOM balance and select a validator.

Choosing a Validator​

Two main factors to consider:

  • Commission: The percentage the validator takes from your rewards.
  • Annual Yield (APR): The expected return, typically 17–20% per year.

Avoid validators with 0% or 100% commissions — they can change fees without notice, sometimes taking all rewards.
A 5–7% commission from a reputable validator is ideal.

You can also delegate to well-known validators such as Multichain or official exchange nodes, which usually offer stable and transparent conditions.

Step 5 — Delegate Your ATOM​

  1. Click Manage → Delegate.
  2. Enter the amount you want to stake — for example, 1 ATOM.
  3. Confirm the transaction in your Keplr wallet.

A message will appear reminding you that:

Staking locks funds for 21 days — the unbonding period before unstaking becomes possible.

After confirmation, your ATOM is officially staked and starts generating rewards.

In the dashboard, you’ll see:

  • Total staked amount,
  • Available balance, and
  • Selected validator details.

Step 6 — Manage, Redelegate, or Unstake​

Unstaking (Undelegate)​

  • Go to Manage → Undelegate.
  • The unbonding process takes 21 days.
  • After this period, your ATOM becomes available for withdrawal.

Redelegating​

  • You can move your stake between validators instantly using the Redelegate option — no 21-day wait.

Claiming Rewards​

  • Rewards accumulate automatically and can be claimed anytime.
  • Click Claim Rewards, sign the transaction, and your rewards appear in your wallet balance.

Step 7 — Understanding Staking Yields​

The average annual yield for ATOM staking is around 17–20%, depending on:

  • Validator uptime and performance,
  • Network inflation and block reward rates,
  • The number of active validators and staked tokens.

Rewards are paid in ATOM, compounding your holdings over time.

Security and Control​

Even if a validator changes its commission rate or stops operating, they cannot access your funds —
your staked ATOM always remains under your full control.

Only staking rewards may be affected by validator settings, so periodically review your delegation choices.

✅ Summary​

ParameterDetails
WalletKeplr
AssetATOM (Cosmos Network)
Average Yield17–20% per year
Unbonding Period21 days
Validator CommissionTypically 5–7%
Network FeesMinimal
RedelegationInstant
Reward ClaimingManual

In summary:

You can stake ATOM directly from your Keplr Wallet, delegate to a trusted validator, and start earning rewards — all within minutes.

In the next lesson, we’ll move on to staking on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) and explore how to stake the BB Token step by step.

These materials are created for educational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice.