A Comprehensive Guide to Bitvavo Staking and Lending

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Bitvavo staking offers you the opportunity to earn continuous rewards on your cryptocurrency holdings, creating a form of passive income. These rewards originate from flexible off-chain (lending) and on-chain (blockchain) staking services, where you receive a percentage-based reward in the cryptocurrency you have staked.

For example, if you hold 1000 Cardano (ADA) in your wallet with a 1.50% annual reward, you would receive 15 ADA for using the Bitvavo staking service. What makes staking particularly compelling is the power of compounding rewards. If you receive 1.50 ADA as a weekly reward, that amount is added to your total Cardano holdings, generating additional rewards on the accumulated amount. Regardless of the specific percentage yields different cryptocurrencies offer, they typically exceed what traditional banks provide for fiat currency deposits.

This guide covers everything you need to know about staking possibilities on this crypto exchange. Whether you're new to the crypto market or already experienced, it's normal to have questions. After reading this information, you'll understand:

Bitvavo Staking: Summary

Staking cryptocurrency on Bitvavo is a straightforward and accessible process. You can choose from 25+ cryptocurrencies available for both off-chain and on-chain staking, including Bitcoin (BTC) and Cardano (ADA). Annual staking yields range from 0.05% to 15%, depending on which cryptocurrency you stake.

Bitvavo offers flexible terms, meaning your staked cryptocurrencies remain available for selling and withdrawal at all times. The exchange doesn't provide locked staking options that might offer higher yields than flexible staking. If you intend to generate substantial passive income through staking, significant investment would be required—a goal that remains out of reach for 99% of users.

It's important to note that staking crypto doesn't automatically guarantee profits! You risk potential losses if the price of a staked cryptocurrency drops below your purchase price. In such cases, staking rewards might not compensate for the depreciation loss. The loss is only realized when you sell the purchased crypto at a lower price, so the risk with staking remains limited.

Key Staking Criteria

FeatureAvailability
Staking ServiceYes
Staking TermFlexible
Supported Cryptocurrencies25+
Bitcoin StakingYes
Web and App AccessYes
Highest YieldAxie Infinity (AXS)
Maximum Annual Reward~15%
Minimum Annual Reward~0.05%
Reward Distribution DayMonday

What is Bitvavo Staking?

The Bitvavo staking service operates with flexible terms. You control when to enable or disable the staking functionality, maintaining access to your crypto and rewards at all times! You always retain ownership of your cryptocurrency and can withdraw it whenever needed. The platform supports two staking methods, depending on the blockchain's consensus type:

Off-Chain Staking (Lending)

Off-chain staking—also called Lending—allows you to receive crypto rewards by making your purchased or deposited cryptocurrencies available through your wallet. Bitvavo then lends your cryptocurrencies at higher interest rates, for which you're rewarded. Think of it as lending money and earning interest. However, actual lending occurs infrequently due to market volatility. More commonly, Bitvavo pays staking rewards as an incentive for using their trading platform.

Cryptocurrencies supporting off-chain staking on Bitvavo typically use Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus. These include assets like Bitcoin (BTC), which generally offer lower staking rewards compared to on-chain staking options.

On-Chain Staking

With on-chain staking, you can receive rewards from cryptocurrencies using Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus. By storing your crypto in your Bitvavo wallet and maintaining your balance, you actively contribute to transaction validation. This validation process is comparable to mining on PoW blockchains. When you keep your cryptocurrency in your wallet, you receive Bitvavo staking rewards that are often higher than off-chain staking returns.

On-chain staking is more prevalent because rewards come from the crypto project itself rather than from the exchange or broker. Cryptocurrencies supporting on-chain staking on the trading platform include Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), Sui (SUI), and Axie Infinity (AXS).

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Supported Staking Services for 25+ Cryptocurrencies

While thousands of cryptocurrencies potentially support staking, availability depends on whether an exchange offers both the asset and staking support. Currently, Bitvavo enables staking rewards for 20+ cryptocurrencies. Note that Chainlink (LINK), Litecoin (LTC), and Tether (USDT) staking are no longer available on the platform.

Below are all the cryptocurrencies you can currently stake on the exchange, including their annual percentage yields:

Updated April 2025

Via Staking:

Via Lending:

Important Note: This exchange reserves the right to modify staking percentages. Changes may occur for various reasons, including modifications to a cryptocurrency's blockchain, shifts in market interest, or changes in staking type. If you believe Bitvavo offers insufficient staking percentages or limited selection, you might consider alternative exchanges or brokers.

Highest Yielding Staking Options on Bitvavo

Among all available staking options on the exchange, the gaming cryptocurrency Axie Infinity (AXS) offers the highest annual rewards. In fact, it provides one of the highest yields available from any crypto provider in the Netherlands. When you hold Axie Infinity (AXS) in your Bitvavo wallet with staking activated, you receive 15% in annual staking rewards!

The cryptocurrency with the second-highest reward is LivePeer (LPT), offering a 10% annual return. Following that, Cosmos (ATOM) provides an 8% annual reward. With all these cryptocurrencies, you receive rewards through on-chain staking by contributing to network security simply by maintaining your crypto in the wallet.

How to Stake Cryptocurrencies on Bitvavo

When enabling Bitvavo staking, remember that Bitvavo is not a bank and isn't regulated as a banking or similar financial institution. Staking doesn't fall under any national or European deposit guarantee scheme and isn't insured in any way. You're only entitled to use staking services with cryptocurrencies you initially purchased or transferred to your wallet with the intention of trading on the exchange's platform.

To qualify for using the Bitvavo staking service, you must meet these four criteria:

  1. Be registered with Bitvavo
  2. Purchase or deposit cryptocurrency eligible for staking
  3. Maintain the stakable cryptocurrency in your wallet
  4. Enable staking functionality

If staking is already enabled, you automatically qualify for staking rewards when you purchase or transfer eligible cryptocurrency to your wallet. To check if staking is enabled, you need to log in via both the website and app.

Enabling Staking via Website

If you're registered, logged in via web browser, and already have stakable cryptocurrencies purchased and in your wallet, it's time to verify if the staking service is enabled. From the dashboard, follow these five steps:

  1. Click on your account name in the top right corner to open a menu
  2. Click on "Settings"—you'll immediately see if staking is enabled or disabled
  3. To enable, click "Enable Staking," which will open a new page
  4. Click "Choose an option..." then select "Enable" and click "Continue"
  5. Staking reward preference is now set—click "Continue" to return to your account

Enabling Staking via Mobile App

To check if staking is enabled via the app, you need to not only be registered but also have the operational Bitvavo app installed. The process to verify staking status and enable it if disabled is simpler than through the web browser:

  1. Open the app and log in
  2. Navigate to your account by tapping the person icon in the top right
  3. Tap "Staking" under "Account Settings"
  4. Tap "Continue" on the staking notification
    5a. If the "Staking Status" shows "Enabled," no action is needed
    5b. If "Disabled," read through the risks, check "I understand and accept..." and tap "Enable Staking"
  5. If everything processes correctly, staking is now enabled—tap "My Wallet" to return to the main menu

How to Disable Bitvavo Staking

When you want to sell or withdraw cryptocurrency that you have in staking, you can disable the staking functionality. Bitvavo's staking service is flexible by design. Simply follow the process described above, but instead of selecting the 'Enable' option, choose 'Disable'. Your cryptocurrency, including accumulated rewards, remains available for sale and withdrawal at any time.

You might still receive rewards after disabling staking if you turn it off later in the week. For example, if you disable staking on a Thursday, the staking yields from Tuesday and Wednesday will be distributed the following Monday after disabling.

Understanding Bitvavo Staking Percentages

The most important aspect to understand is what Bitvavo staking percentages you receive for each cryptocurrency. Before we show where to find this information, it's helpful to know that Bitvavo staking percentages are calculated daily, with rewards distributed every Monday.

You can view the annual yield percentages based on current daily returns only through the web browser—the app has limitations in this area. From the dashboard after logging in, follow these steps to access estimated yield information:

  1. Click "Staking" at the top to display the staking overview
  2. Here you'll find an overview showing your staking value and the estimated annual reward in percentage and euro returns

If you click on any of the cryptocurrencies at the bottom of the overview, you'll see the complete staking details for that specific crypto, including:

Staking Advantages and Disadvantages

Generally, staking on Bitvavo offers primarily advantages. You have the opportunity to put your cryptocurrency to work when you're not using it for short-term trading—essentially earning crypto passively! Below you'll find all the advantages and disadvantages:

Staking Advantages

Staking Disadvantages

Getting Started: Purchase Cryptocurrencies and Begin Staking!

To start your staking journey, first ensure you have an active Bitvavo account with verified identity. Next, deposit funds or purchase cryptocurrencies that support staking functionality. Remember to research each cryptocurrency's potential and risks before investing. Once you've acquired stakable assets, enable the staking feature through either the web platform or mobile app following the instructions provided earlier.

Monitor your staking performance regularly through the dashboard, keeping aware of any changes to reward percentages or terms. Staking can be an excellent way to generate additional returns on your crypto holdings, but it should be part of a diversified investment strategy rather than your sole approach to cryptocurrency.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does staking work on Bitvavo?
Staking on Bitvavo means earning rewards on cryptocurrencies you maintain in your wallet. You can stake through off-chain (Lending), where you receive rewards for using the trading platform, and on-chain (Staking), where you're rewarded for helping secure the network. When you buy cryptocurrencies on Bitvavo, enable staking, and maintain your holdings, you earn more crypto—receiving the actual cryptocurrency as reward rather than fiat currency interest.

Who can use Bitvavo's staking services?
Bitvavo offers both Staking (on-chain) and Lending (off-chain) services to all users who intend to trade on the platform and meet the basic account requirements.

What is the difference between off-chain and on-chain staking?
Off-chain staking (Lending) earns you rewards for making your crypto available through your account. Bitvavo lends these cryptocurrencies at higher rates, rewarding you accordingly. Primarily, Bitvavo uses off-chain staking to reward users for utilizing their trading platform. Off-chain cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC) and several others. On-chain staking lets you receive rewards for actively contributing to transaction validation and protocol voting—all occurring on Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchains like Ethereum (ETH), Axie Infinity (AXS), Cardano (ADA), and Cosmos (ATOM).

Which cryptocurrencies can I stake on Bitvavo?
Currently, you can choose from 25+ cryptocurrencies where you can earn rewards through Staking and Lending on Bitvavo. These coins include Axie Infinity (AXS), Bitcoin (BTC), Cardano (ADA), Casper (CSPR), Celestia (TIA), COSMOS (ATOM), Ethereum (ETH), Kusama (KSM), Near (NEAR), Solana (SOL), Sui (SUI), Terra (LUNA), Terra Classic (LUNC), Tezos (XTZ), and The Graph (GRT).

What percentage returns can I expect from staking?
The percentage returns you receive depend on which cryptocurrency you purchase or deposit on Bitvavo. Annual percentage yields range from 0.05% to 15%, with variations based on market conditions and specific crypto assets.

Which cryptocurrency offers the highest staking rewards?
Currently, the gaming cryptocurrency Axie Infinity (AXS) offers the highest annual rewards on Bitvavo. If you hold this in your wallet with staking enabled, you receive 15% in annual rewards.

Is there a lock-up period for staked cryptocurrencies?
With Bitvavo staking, you maintain access to your cryptocurrencies at all times. The staking service is flexible and doesn't impose fixed terms during which you must commit your assets.

How often are staking rewards distributed?
Bitvavo calculates all yields daily and distributes them every Monday. You can track your staking progress in the 'Staking Overview' section of your dashboard.

Can I stake Bitcoin on Bitvavo?
When you hold Bitcoin (BTC) in your wallet, you have the option to "stake" it off-chain through Lending. Ensure you enable the staking service to utilize this feature.

Can I stake Ethereum on Bitvavo?
When you hold Ethereum (ETH) in your wallet—either by purchasing or transferring it—you can stake it on-chain. Make sure to enable the staking service to use this functionality.

Can I stake Cardano on Bitvavo?
When you hold Cardano (ADA) in your wallet through purchase or transfer, you can stake it on-chain. Remember to enable the staking service to access this feature.

Can I stake Tether (USDT) on Bitvavo?
It's no longer possible to stake Tether (USDT) on Bitvavo. While it was available in the past with a 2% annual reward, this option has been discontinued.

Are there alternative platforms for cryptocurrency staking?
Besides Bitvavo, several other exchanges and brokers offer cryptocurrency staking services. Carefully research which provider best suits your needs and investment goals.