Staking via Ledger Live is a secure and convenient way to earn passive income on your cryptocurrency holdings while keeping your private keys safely offline in your Ledger hardware wallet.

Ledger Live supports staking for a select group of proof-of-stake (PoS) cryptocurrencies, and the “best” coins to stake depend on factors like annual percentage yield (APY), network stability, lock-up periods, and your personal investment goals (e.g., maximizing rewards, minimizing risk, or supporting a specific blockchain). 

Please download the last update of Ledger Live Application:

1. Ledger Live for Windows 10/11

2. Ledger Live for MAC

3. Ledger Live for Android

Below, I’ll evaluate some of the top options available in Ledger Live based on their staking rewards, risks, and practical considerations.

Top Coins to Stake via Ledger Live

Here’s a rundown of the best cryptocurrencies to stake via Ledger Live, including ETH, DOT, and ADA, plus a few others worth considering:

1. Ethereum (ETH) via Lido

• Staking APY: ~3-5% (variable, depends on network demand and validator activity).
• How It Works: Ledger Live integrates with Lido, a liquid staking service, to stake ETH. You receive stETH (staked ETH) in return, which accrues rewards daily and compounds automatically. Rewards are reflected in your stETH balance, visible under your ETH account’s “Tokens” section.
• Lock-Up Period: None with Lido—stETH can be swapped back to ETH or used in DeFi, though unstaking directly to ETH involves a queue (days to weeks) if done via Ethereum’s native process outside Lido.
• Rewards Process: No manual claiming; rewards accrue in stETH automatically.
• Why It’s Good:
  • High security with Ledger’s cold storage.
  • Liquid staking via Lido offers flexibility compared to solo staking (32 ETH minimum).
  • Ethereum’s dominance and stability make it a reliable long-term choice.
• Risks: Smart contract risk with Lido (though audited and reputable), plus ETH price volatility.
• Best For: Investors wanting steady rewards with flexibility and exposure to the largest PoS network.

2. Polkadot (DOT)

• Staking APY: ~12-15% (varies based on validator performance and network staking ratio).
• How It Works: Stake DOT directly in Ledger Live by delegating to validators (Ledger partners with trusted ones like Figment). Rewards are credited automatically every era (24 hours).
• Lock-Up Period: 28 days unbonding period after unstaking, during which funds are inaccessible.
• Rewards Process: Typically auto-credited; some setups may require manual claiming via the “Earn” tab (approve with your Ledger).
• Why It’s Good:
  • High APY compared to many PoS coins.
  • Polkadot’s interoperability focus positions it as a growing ecosystem.
  • Ledger’s validator partnerships reduce slashing risk.
• Risks: Long unbonding period limits liquidity; validator misbehavior could lead to slashing (rare with Ledger’s vetted nodes).
• Best For: Long-term holders comfortable with lock-ups and seeking high yields.

3. Cardano (ADA)

• Staking APY: ~3-5% (depends on stake pool performance; averages around 4%).
• How It Works: Pair your Ledger with a third-party wallet like Yoroi or AdaLite (not native in Ledger Live yet, though ADA support is expanding). Delegate ADA to a stake pool, and rewards are auto-added to your balance every epoch (5 days).
• Lock-Up Period: None—ADA remains liquid and can be moved or spent anytime without unstaking delays.
• Rewards Process: Rewards accrue automatically; undelegate and transfer to claim them as spendable ADA.
• Why It’s Good:
  • No lock-up enhances flexibility.
  • Cardano’s research-driven approach and large community add stability.
  • Ledger’s security keeps your ADA safe during delegation.
• Risks: Lower APY than DOT or SOL; requires an extra step with external wallets (for now).
• Best For: Risk-averse investors prioritizing liquidity and ease of access.

4. Solana (SOL)

• Staking APY: ~5-7% (varies with validator performance and network staking rate).
• How It Works: Stake SOL directly in Ledger Live by delegating to validators. Rewards are credited automatically at the end of each epoch (~2-3 days).
• Lock-Up Period: ~2-3 days unbonding period after unstaking.
• Rewards Process: Auto-credited to your account; no manual claim needed.
• Why It’s Good:
  • Competitive APY with a short lock-up.
  • Solana’s fast, low-cost network has strong growth potential.
  • Simple process within Ledger Live.
• Risks: Validator slashing risk (minimal with Ledger’s partners); Solana’s history of network outages (though rare in 2025).
• Best For: Balanced investors seeking decent returns with moderate liquidity.

5. Cosmos (ATOM)

• Staking APY: ~8-10% (varies by validator and network conditions).
• How It Works: Stake ATOM in Ledger Live via the “Earn” tab, delegating to validators. Rewards accrue continuously and can be claimed manually.
• Lock-Up Period: 21 days unbonding period.
• Rewards Process: Check “Pending Rewards” in the “Earn” tab, click “Claim Rewards,” and approve with your Ledger. Fees apply per claim.
• Why It’s Good:
  • Strong APY for a well-established network.
  • Cosmos’s interoperability focus aligns with future blockchain trends.
• Risks: Longer lock-up reduces flexibility; small gas fees for claiming rewards add up.
• Best For: Yield-focused investors okay with longer lock-ups.

Honorable Mentions

• Tezos (XTZ): ~4-6% APY, no lock-up, auto-credited rewards every 3 days. Great for low-maintenance staking.
• Near (NEAR): ~8-10% APY, 36-48 hour unbonding, auto-credited. Emerging network with solid returns.

Comparing the Options

Coin	APY	Lock-Up	Liquidity	Ease in Ledger Live	Risk Level
ETH (Lido)	3-5%	None (via Lido)	High	High	Low-Moderate
DOT	12-15%	28 days	Low	High	Moderate
ADA	3-5%	None	High	Moderate (3rd-party)	Low
SOL	5-7%	2-3 days	Moderate	High	Low-Moderate
ATOM	8-10%	21 days	Low	High	Moderate

What Makes a Coin “Best” for Staking?

• High APY: DOT and ATOM lead in raw yield, while ETH and ADA offer lower but stable returns.
• Liquidity: ADA and ETH (via Lido) shine for flexibility; DOT and ATOM lag due to long lock-ups.
• Security: Ledger Live’s cold storage and vetted validators minimize risks across all options.
• Network Strength: ETH’s dominance, DOT’s interoperability, and ADA’s research-backed design stand out.
• Ease: SOL, DOT, and ATOM are seamless in Ledger Live; ADA requires an extra wallet step (for now).

Recommendations

• Best Overall: Solana (SOL) – Balances decent APY (5-7%) with short lock-ups and native Ledger Live support. Ideal for most users.
• Highest Yield: Polkadot (DOT) – Up to 15% APY, perfect for long-term holders who don’t need liquidity.
• Most Flexible: Cardano (ADA) – No lock-up and steady 4% APY, great for beginners or those needing instant access.
• Safest Big Name: Ethereum (ETH) – Lower yield but backed by the largest PoS network and Lido’s liquidity.
• Dark Horse: Cosmos (ATOM) – Strong 8-10% APY for those willing to wait out the 21-day unbonding.

Final Thoughts

The “best” coin depends on your priorities:

• If you want max rewards and can handle lock-ups, go for DOT or ATOM.
• If liquidity matters most, pick ADA or ETH (via Lido).
• For a middle ground, SOL is hard to beat.

All these options leverage Ledger Live’s security, so your funds stay safe. Check the “Earn” tab in Ledger Live for the latest APYs and supported assets, as rates and availability evolve. Want a deeper dive into staking one of these (e.g., setup steps or tax tracking)? Let me know!