How to Stake Cardano (ADA) from Your Self-Custody Wallet: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want to earn rewards on your Cardano (ADA) holdings without giving up control? Staking from your self-custody wallet is the answer! This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring your ADA remains secure while contributing to the Cardano network.

What is Cardano and Why Stake?

Launched in 2025, Cardano is an open-source blockchain used to create smart contracts and develop decentralized applications (DApps). Charles Hoskinson is Cardano’s creator, and he is also the co-creator of Ethereum. Cardano achieves consensus through the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism. This allows Ver más 29 de jul. de 2025, users to earn rewards by delegating their ADA to stake pools.

Staking Cardano offers several benefits:

• Earn Rewards: Receive ADA rewards for participating in the network\'s security.
• Secure the Network: Contribute to the overall health and stability of the Cardano blockchain.
• Maintain Control: Your ADA remains in your self-custody wallet, giving you complete control.

Choosing a Self-Custody Wallet

Several excellent self-custody wallets support Cardano staking. Popular choices include:

• Daedalus Wallet: A full-node wallet, offering maximum security and control.
• Yoroi Wallet: A lightweight browser extension wallet, known for its ease of use.
• Adalite Wallet: A web-based wallet, offering convenient access from any device.

The choice depends on your technical expertise and security preferences. We\'ll use Daedalus as an example in this guide, but the principles apply to other wallets as well.

Staking Cardano with Daedalus Wallet: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you have installed the latest version of Daedalus, synced your wallet with the blockchain, and have your ada stored in your wallet, you can start the process of delegating to a stake pool. Here\'s how:

1. Open Daedalus Wallet: Launch the Daedalus application and ensure it\'s fully synchronized with the Cardano blockchain. This can take some time initially, so be patient.
2. Navigate to the Delegation Center: Click on the "Delegation Center" tab within Daedalus.
3. Choose a Stake Pool: Browse the list of available stake pools. Consider factors such as performance (ROA - Return on ADA), pool size, margin, and fees. You can also use the search bar to find a specific pool.
4. Delegate Your ADA: Select the stake pool you want to delegate to and click the "Delegate" button.
5. Enter Your Spending Password: Enter your Daedalus spending password to confirm the delegation.
6. Confirm the Transaction: Review the transaction details carefully and click "Confirm" to submit the delegation.

Congratulations! You have successfully delegated your ADA to a stake pool and will start earning rewards in the next epoch (approximately every 5 days).

Important Considerations for Choosing a Stake Pool:

• Return on ADA (ROA): This indicates the historical return earned by delegators.
• Pool Size: Smaller pools may offer higher rewards initially but can become saturated, reducing returns. Larger pools offer more stable returns but might have lower individual yields.
• Margin: This is the percentage of rewards that the pool operator takes as a fee.
• Fees: A fixed fee charged by the pool operator.
• Pool Saturation: Avoid pools that are nearing or have reached saturation, as your rewards will be significantly reduced.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an epoch?

An epoch in Cardano is a period of approximately 5 days (120 hours). Rewards are distributed at the end of each epoch.

Can I undelegate my ADA?

Yes, you can undelegate your ADA at any time. However, it takes two epochs for the change to take effect.

Is my ADA locked up when staking?

No, your ADA is not locked up. You can still spend or transfer your ADA while it\'s delegated.

What happens if the stake pool I delegated to disappears?

Your ADA is not lost. You simply need to delegate to a different stake pool.

Conclusion

Staking Cardano from your self-custody wallet is a rewarding way to participate in the network and earn passive income. By following these steps and considering the factors mentioned, you can confidently delegate your ADA and contribute to the Cardano ecosystem.