Cardano staking & rewards process
Stake your ADA to earn ADA rewards, safely and conveniently and to help keep the Cardano network healthy, reliable and secure.
The Cardano Staking and Rewards process is part of the Cardano Ouroboros Proof of Stake consensus protocol that guides block creation on the Cardano blockchain network.
This staking & rewards cycle drives the unique behaviour and incentives built into the fabric of the Cardano network, which helps to keep the Cardano network decentralized, secure and reliable.
Over the long term, staking your ADA should earn 4% – 6% ADA in rewards each year, depending upon the performance of the Stake Pool you choose.
Staking your ADA does not limit you in any way, it’s an opportunity to earn passive income and help the network operate properly. Your job is to select a Stake Pool you choose is operating effectively and with integrity.
The staking & rewards process unfolds in 5-day “Epochs”, over the course of five very structured steps:
1. Stake your ADA
Stake ADA to earn ADA in rewards
2. Prepare to Earn
Provably Secure
3. Produce Blocks & Earn Rewards
Cardano blockchain network
4. Calculate Rewards
Block-based rewards
5. Deposit Rewards
Reward Account
Epoch x
(5 days)
Epoch x+1
(5 days)
Epoch x+2
(5 days)
Epoch x+3
(5 days)
Epoch x+4
(5 days)
This 5-stage process starts in every Epoch and runs in parallel. After you get through your first staking & rewards cycle, you could potentially be earning ADA rewards in every 5-day Epoch that follow, even if you were to change the Stake Pool you were staking with.
