How to Stake ADA (Cardano)
In this lesson, we’ll go through the full process of staking ADA, the native token of the Cardano blockchain, using the Yoroi Wallet — a lightweight and user-friendly wallet specifically designed for ADA staking.
Step 1 — Install Yoroi Wallet
The first step is to install the Yoroi Wallet browser extension.
- Open the official Yoroi website and click Download.
- Install the extension for Chrome, Firefox, or another supported browser.
- Once installed, click the Yoroi icon in your browser toolbar.
You’ll be asked to choose the interface language (for example, English or Russian).
After skipping the introduction screens, you can either Create or Restore a wallet.
Creating or Restoring a Wallet
- If you’re using a new device, select Create wallet — this will generate a new mnemonic phrase that you should back up and store securely.
- If you already have an existing phrase (for example, the same one used for other wallets on your device), select Restore wallet, choose Cardano, and pick the 24-word option.
Enter your mnemonic phrase manually (pasting the entire phrase at once is not allowed), assign a wallet name, and create a password for transaction signing.
Once complete, click Restore wallet — your wallet is now ready for use with the Cardano blockchain.
Step 2 — Deposit ADA into the Wallet
To stake, you’ll first need to transfer ADA tokens to your Yoroi wallet.
- Open the Receive tab.
- Copy your wallet address or scan the QR code.
- On your exchange (for example, Bybit), select Withdraw ADA, paste your address, and choose the Cardano network.
Important: Cardano generates a new address after every transaction.
This is a privacy feature similar to Bitcoin’s UTXO model.
You can use any new address — all funds go to the same wallet.
Confirm the withdrawal, pay the network fee (about 2 ADA), and wait a few minutes.
Your ADA will soon appear in the Yoroi wallet balance.
Step 3 — Open the Delegation List
Once your funds are available, click on the Delegation List tab to view all available stake pools — the validators to which you can delegate your ADA.
Each pool displays:
- Pledge — how much ADA the pool operator has personally staked.
- Pool Size (Share) — total amount of ADA delegated to that pool.
- Annual Yield (APR) — average yearly staking return.
- Commission and Cost — fees charged by the pool.
Step 4 — Choose a Staking Pool
When selecting a pool, focus on the following key parameters:
-
Pledge:
Indicates the pool operator’s personal investment.
A high pledge (e.g., 1,000,000 ADA ≈ $300,000) shows commitment and reliability. -
Pool Size:
Ideally below 60–65 million ADA.
Overfilled pools provide lower rewards per participant, while very small pools may have irregular performance. -
Commission:
The validator’s fee deducted from rewards, not your main balance.
Most good pools charge around 1% and a fixed monthly cost (typically 340 ADA, distributed across all delegators). -
Yield:
Average ADA staking rewards are about 4–5% per year, depending on pool performance and commission rates.
Once you find a suitable pool — for example, one with 4%+ recent yield, low commission, and moderate size — click Delegate.
Step 5 — Delegate ADA
After selecting a pool:
- Enter the amount of ADA to delegate.
- Review the transaction summary, which includes:
- Delegated amount
- Network fee: 2 ADA (partly refundable)
- Pool commission details
- Enter your spending password and click Confirm.
Your transaction will be signed and broadcast to the Cardano network.
Once confirmed, your ADA tokens are successfully delegated to the chosen staking pool.
Step 6 — Track Rewards and Staking Status
Open the Dashboard to monitor:
- Staking status
- Selected pool details
- Rewards history
- Performance over recent epochs
Rewards accumulate automatically after each epoch (a Cardano epoch lasts about five days) and are visible in a separate rewards section.
You can manually claim them anytime using the Withdraw button — claimed rewards are added to your wallet balance.
Step 7 — Manage or Redelegate Your ADA
- To unstake, click Undelegate — your ADA becomes available after a short waiting period.
- To redelegate, choose another pool and confirm the transaction.
This process is instant and does not require unstaking first.
Step 8 — Automatic Staking of New Deposits
If you send additional ADA to your wallet later, there’s no need to restake.
All newly received tokens are automatically delegated to your existing staking pool and start earning rewards immediately.
This is one of Cardano’s most convenient features — staking expands automatically as your balance grows.
Step 9 — Security and Control
- Your ADA never leaves your wallet — delegation doesn’t transfer ownership to the validator.
- Validators can’t access or withdraw your funds.
- You maintain full control and can claim, redelegate, or withdraw rewards anytime.
- Always back up your mnemonic phrase — it’s the only way to restore access to your wallet.
✅ Summary
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Wallet | Yoroi Wallet |
| Blockchain | Cardano |
| Token | ADA |
| Annual Yield | 4–5% |
| Typical Pool Size | < 60 million ADA |
| Average Commission | ~1% + 340 ADA fixed cost |
| Redelegation | Instant |
| Automatic Restaking | Yes |
| Funds Custody | Always remain in your wallet |
In summary:
ADA staking is one of the simplest and safest forms of passive income in crypto.
All you need is a Yoroi Wallet, a small balance of ADA, and a reliable pool.
Your tokens stay under your control, and new deposits join staking automatically.
In the next lesson, we’ll explore staking on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) and how to delegate the BB Token step by step.
These materials are created for educational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice.