Check the proposed block
Validators check new blocks and publish attestations: signed votes about the chain they consider valid. Those votes help the network reach agreement.
Wallion Stake
A stake in
what comes next.
Participate in a network and receive variable staking rewards. Understand what you commit, how rewards work and when you can exit.
Choose the arrangementWhat exactly
What exactly
are you staking?
The network, operator and way you hold the position all affect the commitment. Start there before comparing a rate.
| Staking arrangement | What you hold | What to understand |
|---|---|---|
| Your own validator | Assets committed directly to network validation. | Operating requirements, minimum stake, availability and network penalties. |
| Delegated or pooled | A position managed through a validator, operator or pool. | Who operates the validator, how fees are deducted and who controls withdrawals. |
| Liquid staking | A token representing a staking position. | The redemption mechanism, smart contracts and whether the token trades above or below its underlying value. |
On Ethereum, running a validator requires 32 ETH. Pools can accept smaller amounts, with their own conditions and additional risks. Ethereum’s staking overview.
Inside the networkParticipation
Participation
has a purpose.
On Ethereum, validators do specific work to help the network agree on its records. Rewards and penalties are tied to that participation.
Propose when selected
A validator selected as a proposer assembles and publishes a block. Proposing and attesting are different duties within the same consensus process.
Understand missed duties
Being offline can mean missed rewards and penalties. Signing conflicting blocks or attestations is a separate violation that can trigger slashing.
Ethereum example: validator rewards and penalties. Other proof-of-stake networks set their own duties and rules.
Follow the positionRewards and price
Rewards and price
are two different things.
Track what you receive in the asset itself, then consider its current value in your chosen currency.
01The reward amount
An ETH reward increases the amount of ETH attributed to the position. A quoted annual rate is an estimate: network conditions, validator performance and fees can change the result.
02The position’s value
The dollar value can fall even while rewards accrue. The price of ETH, and the market price of any staking token, are separate from the reward rate.
03The costs
Read the operator or protocol fee, the cost of entering and exiting, and the network’s penalty rules. Slashing and service failures can reduce the position.
Choosing an operatorWho runs it?
Who runs it?
Who can withdraw?
Using an operator does not describe the whole trust arrangement. Ethereum staking services illustrate why validator operation and control of funds need separate answers.
01The signing key
An operator uses a validator’s signing key to perform network duties. In a non-custodial arrangement, that key alone cannot spend or withdraw the stake, but its misuse can still cause penalties.
02The withdrawal destination
Establish who controls the address that receives withdrawn funds. A custodial service may retain that control. Read how an exit is initiated and what happens if the operator stops responding.
03The operating record
Look for published performance, incident reports and information about the software the operator runs. These provide evidence about its operation; a headline reward rate does not.
Questions to compare: Ethereum’s staking-as-a-service guide.
Leaving a positionA withdrawal
A withdrawal
has its own timeline.
An exit request and spendable funds are different stages. The exact route depends on your staking option.
Request
Choose how much to exit and read the current conditions. A request may begin an unbonding period or put the position into a queue.
Wait
Follow the position’s status while the network or provider processes the exit. Check whether rewards continue during this period and whether the request can be changed.
Withdraw
When the assets become available, an additional claim or withdrawal transaction may be required. Selling a liquid staking token is a different route, with its own market price and liquidity.
Looking for the distinction between network rewards and lending interest?
Explore Earn