Key Takeaways

• Flexible Staking lets you earn rewards while keeping supported assets available.

• Boosted Staking offers higher reward rates in exchange for locking assets for a fixed period.

• Flexible Staking is available on selected assets, with support continuing to expand.

• All supported staking assets can be used with Boosted Staking.

 

How the two compare:

Flexible Staking	Boosted Staking
Earn rewards automatically while holding supported assets	Earn higher rewards by locking assets for a set period
No lock-up period	Assets are locked during the staking period
Assets can be sold or traded anytime	Assets are unavailable until the staking period ends
Rewards are typically lower than boosted rates	Rewards are typically higher due to the lock-up

Both options allow you to earn staking rewards. The difference lies in flexibility versus earning higher reward rates.

 

Flexible Staking

Earn crypto rewards while keeping control

Flexible Staking lets you earn rewards on supported assets without locking them up. Rewards start automatically while you hold, and you can still sell, swap, or transfer anytime. It’s designed for customers who want to earn while keeping full access to their crypto.

Flexible Staking benefits

• Paid weekly

• No lock-up period

• Sell or transfer at anytime

• Rewards are earned automatically on supported assets

Flexible staking offers a simple way to earn rewards without needing to make additional decisions about locking assets.

Flexible Staking at a glance

Benefit	What it means
Paid weekly	Rewards are distributed to your account every week while assets remain eligible for staking.
No lock-ups	Sell, swap, or transfer your assets anytime.
Automatic rewards	Supported assets begin earning rewards automatically from the moment you buy or hold them.
No staking decisions required	You don’t need to choose assets or configure staking. Eligible assets earn rewards automatically.
Full control	You can opt out of flexible staking at any time.

 

Boosted Staking

Higher rewards for long-term holders

Boosted Staking allows you to earn higher reward rates by committing your assets for a fixed period.

When assets are boosted, they are locked for the duration of the staking term. During this time they cannot be sold or transferred.

Because the assets are committed for longer, blockchain networks typically offer higher reward rates compared with flexible staking.

Boosted Staking benefits

• Higher reward rates than flexible staking

• Rewards paid weekly

• Predictable staking term so you know how long assets are committed

• Designed for long-term holders who don’t plan to trade the asset during the staking period

Once the staking term ends, you can unstake your assets and they will become available again (some networks may apply an unbonding period before assets are fully released).

 

Choosing Between Flexible and Boosted Staking

The choice between flexible and boosted staking usually depends on how long you plan to hold your assets and whether you want immediate access to them.

Flexible Staking may suit you if you:

• Prefer the ability to sell or move assets anytime

• Want to earn rewards while keeping assets available

• Are unsure how long you plan to hold the asset

Boosted Staking may suit you if you:

• Plan to hold the asset for a longer period

• Are comfortable locking assets for a set time

• Want to pursue higher staking reward rates

Both options allow you to earn rewards while participating in the blockchain network.

 

What Happens When You Unstake?

When boosted staking ends or you choose to unstake an asset, it may not become available immediately.

Some blockchains require a waiting period known as an unbonding period before assets can be transferred or traded again.

The length of this period varies depending on the blockchain network.

During this time, assets are in the process of being released from staking. This waiting period is set by the blockchain protocol itself, not by Uphold.

Understanding this process can help avoid confusion when unstaking assets.

 

What About Liquid Staking?

You may have heard of liquid staking, another form of staking available in parts of the crypto ecosystem.

Liquid staking allows users to receive a token representing their staked assets while continuing to trade or use that token elsewhere.

Uphold currently focuses on Flexible Staking and Boosted Staking, which allow customers to earn rewards directly on supported assets without needing to manage additional tokens.

 

Start Staking on Uphold

Staking allows supported cryptocurrencies to earn rewards for helping maintain the blockchain networks they run on.

With Uphold, customers can choose between flexible staking for convenience and accessibility, or boosted staking for potentially higher reward rates when committing assets for longer periods.

Both options provide a way to participate in staking while managing your assets directly within the Uphold app.

Choose your staking style and start earning.
Start Staking Now