DeFi staking platforms are now the crux of the crypto ecosystem. These provide users with rewards for being engaged and active participants in the validation and governance of blockchain networks. The DeFi landscape is always changing. A new expansive network of platforms has opened, each providing different capabilities, assets they support, fee structures, and APYs (estimated annual percentage yields). This article will take an in-depth look at five leading DeFi staking platforms that are poised to flourish come 2025. It further spotlights their unique features and what promises to be the greatest value for their users.
The report deep dives into platforms like EigenLayer, EtherFi, Ethena, Rocket Pool, Jito, and Babylon. Each platform is unique with the available assets, fee schedule, and projected APY varying across these platforms. These platforms power a deep, rich ecosystem of permissible digital assets. ETH, LSDs, ERC-20 tokens, EIGEN, stETH, USDe, ENA, SOL, and BTC all populate this market, reflecting the varied investment preferences of the DeFi community. Fee structure varies greatly between platforms. These consist of operator fees, platform fees, slippage and execution fees, management fees and unbonding transaction fees, which significantly eat into the overall profitability of staking activities. These estimated APYs would correspond to rates between 2.79% and 9%. These numbers act as the first line of defense against user asset loss, helping to lure in users hungry to earn the most possible in the DeFi ecosystem.
With various factors propelling the growth and adoption of DeFi staking platforms, I’ll take a look at some of these factors. There is increasing demand from retail crypto investors for passive income opportunities, an increasingly mature DeFi ecosystem, and ever-evolving mechanisms behind staking innovations. There are millions more users waiting to enter the world of decentralized finance. The latter will be critical in helping them begin tapping directly into staking rewards, as well as accelerating the growth of blockchain networks on the whole.
EigenLayer
EigenLayer is a flexible DeFi staking platform and shines in its versatility. It supports a wide range of assets such as ETH, liquid staking tokens like stETH, rETH, cbETH and LsETH as well as ERC20 tokens and EIGEN. This deep built asset support allows users to stake more assets and build a more diversified staking portfolio. It allows them to participate in different staking primitives across EigenLayer’s ecosystem.
There’s no variable operator fee, their platform runs on a 10% fixed operator fee, which is deducted from the rewards received by stakers only. This is important since this new fee structure will motivate node operators to provide dependable, secure staking services. In turn, it assists in preserving the integrity of the EigenLayer ecosystem.
EigenLayer is committed to ensuring a rich asset diversity. With its clear-cut fees, it’s a great option for users looking to get the most out of their staking rewards while contributing to the overall security and stability of the DeFi ecosystem.
EtherFi
EtherFi is unique as a DeFi staking platform exclusively supporting ETH and stETH. It provides users with the opportunity to earn rewards through the staking or locking up these assets. By focusing exclusively on these core assets, EtherFi intends to deliver a simple and seamless staking experience to its users.
For Liquid Vaults, the platform takes a 1% annual management fee. These vaults enhance the liquidity and accessibility of your staked assets. This tiered fee structure ensures we can pay the operational costs required to keep the platform running smoothly. It further guarantees that their users benefit from the most advanced staking solutions available.
Because EtherFi in particular is a native bridge for ETH and stETH, this is much more appealing to users. With its Liquid Vaults and clear fee structure, it maximizes staking returns while maintaining liquidity and market competitiveness in the DeFi space.
Ethena
Ethena is a self-custodial DeFi platform that will initially support ETH, USDe, and ENA. It presents users with thrilling opportunities to participate in multiple staking and yield-generating pursuits. The platform supports USDe, their synthetic dollar, which allows users to execute stablecoin-based staking strategies. This feature curtails the type of extreme volatility seen with other cryptocurrencies.
When you mint or redeem USDe, Ethena charges you slippage and execution fees. These fees are used to fund the activities of maintaining stability and the peg of the synthetic dollar. These fees are clearly stated upfront to users, ensuring that they are aware of the costs involved and can make informed choices about their staking activities.
Additionally, the platform provides an estimated APY of 9% for USDe. This rate is high compared to other stablecoin staking opportunities within the larger DeFi landscape. This appealing APY serves as an incentive for users to stake their USDe on the Ethena platform. In so doing, their efforts significantly improve the liquidity and stability of this entire ecosystem.
Rocket Pool
Rocket Pool is a decentralized Ethereum staking pool that allows anyone to participate. It allows users to easily get involved in ETH staking, without the technical burden of needing to run their own nodes. The platform supports ETH and offers two distinct staking options: liquid staking and node staking.
Rocket Pool takes a 14% fee for rETH stakers. This fee is deducted from the rewards that users receive when they stake their ETH in the pool. This fee goes to covering the operational costs needed to run the Rocket Pool network. It encourages node operators to provide trustworthy and fortified staking services.
The platform delivers the liquidity staking an estimated 2.79% APY and the node staking 4.39%. Liquid staking allows users to earn rewards while maintaining liquidity over their staked assets. Meanwhile, node staking provides much higher APYs to anyone who operates a Rocket Pool node.
Jito
Jito, the DeFi platform that got support for SOL, Solana’s native token. You can receive exclusive rewards by staking your SOL on the platform. Join your fellow developers in helping secure the Solana network and increase your profits!
Jito charges an annual management fee equivalent to 4% of total rewards earned and a 0.1% withdrawal fee. The 1% management fee goes towards the platform’s operational costs, including customer support. A withdrawal fee is charged when users exit the platform with their staked SOL.
The platform has a leading estimated APY of 7.26%. This staking rate is very high compared to the SOL staking alternatives offered in the DeFi space. This enticing APY encourages users to stake their SOL on Jito’s platform. In doing so, they play an important role in making the Solana network more secure and stable on the whole.
Babylon
Babylon is a vibrant Bitcoin-centric DeFi platform that allows users to earn competitive rewards by injecting liquidity with their staked Bitcoin. In doing so, they help to secure the entire Babylon network. Additionally, the platform is now live with support for BTC, allowing users to diversify their staking portfolios. This enables them to generate passive income on their Bitcoin stack.
Unbonding transactions on Babylon cost a 0.00032 BTC fee. This fee only applies when users unstake their BTC from the platform. This fee is added to cover the costs of processing unbonding transactions. It contributes to the security of our whole network.
Babylon’s backing of BTC staking provides users a wonderful opportunity to earn rewards on their bitcoin assets. In the process, they contribute to securing the entire Babylon network. With a transparent fee structure, the platform is attractive to BTC holders. Furthermore, its focus on BTC staking encourages those holders to engage directly with the broader DeFi ecosystem.
