Where and how to stake Ethereum (ETH) from Australia

Learn how to stake Ethereum for a passive return on investment.
Find out which exchanges have Ethereum staking for Australians.
Complete step-by-step guide to take you through the process.

Staking Ethereum is a way to earn passive income. There are other benefits too. Staking reduces volatility in the market — because coins are locked up — and helps maintain the integrity of the blockchain for the community in general.

There are many ways through which you can stake Ethereum in Australia, but for most people, staking your Ethereum at an exchange will be the easiest option. Scroll down to get started.

Don't let you're ETH sit around idle

Where to stake Ethereum

On website

Crypto assets are unregulated & highly speculative. No consumer protection. Capital at risk.

eToro Crypto

Highlights

Access thousands of assets across multiple categories.
Copy trades of popular investors that trade Crypto.
Access powerful analysis tools and innovative social features.

Pros

The user-friendly website and app make it easy to trade from anywhere.
Trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 60+ other crypto assets.
With its CopyTrader feature, you can replicate the moves of other investors.
Start trading with just $10.

Cons

There is a 1% fee that is added to the market price.
Other exchanges have more selections of crypto coins and tokens.

On website

Binance Australia

Highlights

Sign up on Binance Australia to get a 100 USDT cashback voucher. Terms and Conditions apply.
World's largest crypto exchanges.
Buy, sell, trade, and stake 1,000s of crypto coins and trading pairs.
Zero-fee deposit via PayID or Osko from Australia.

Pros

It has some of the lowest trading fees out there. 0.1% for spot trading and 0.5% for instant buy or sell fees.
Credit card or debit card deposits are accepted.
Provides charting and trading tools suitable for advanced crypto traders.

Cons

The platform UI can be complicated to learn for new investors.

Crypto.com

Highlights

Buy Bitcoin and 250+ cryptocurrencies with 20+ fiat currencies.
Earn up to 8.5% p.a. staking your crypto, and up to 14% p.a. for stablecoins.
Spend with the Crypto.com Visa Card and get up to 5% back.
Enjoy greater capital efficiency and lower margin requirements.

Pros

Get access to additional features including lending, borrowing, debit cards, and more.
Start trading with just $1.
Use your spot assets as collateral.
There is a USD 2,000 referral bonus.

Cons

Lack of educational resources.

How to stake Ethereum

If you're thinking of taking a stake in Ethereum (ETH) from Australia, this step-by-step tutorial will take you through the process.

Step 1: Select a staking method

The easiest way to stake Ethereum, especially if you're new to the concept, is to use a crypto exchange. This is the method we focus on in this article since it is very consumer-friendly.

If you do not want to sake on an exchange, you can join an Ethereum staking pool (but this is less suitable for beginners).

Step 2: Select an exchange

A number of exchanges offer Ethereum staking. We have listed several well-known and reputable options above.

Before choosing where to stake, be clear on how much you can earn (the yield or APY), how long you need to stake for, and the cost for doing so.

Step 3: Send Ethereum to your account

If you don't own Ethereum tokens already, you can buy them at the exchange. If you already have Ethereum in your wallet, they can be transferred to the exchange you choose and staked there.

Step 4: Set up the contract

The exchange acts as the operator of the staking pool. Rewards earned for staking your Ethereum with them will be managed by the exchange.

When configuring the contract, you'll need to decide how long you want the staking contract to last. A general rule of thumb is that the yield is higher the more you put in and the longer you stake for.

Be sure to fully understand the terms and conditions prior to putting your stake. For example, how will withdrawing your tokens before the expiration date affect the yield?

Pros and cons

Pros

Staking your Ethereum can be an an easy way to make passive income instead of just holding your assets. Yields increase the longer you stake.
Staking helps maintain Ethereum's blockchain, which benefits the wider community.
Staking is a way to generate income without the need for expensive mining equipment, making it much more accessible for all.
It's more eco-friendly to stake compared to mining.

Cons

Your Ethereum will be inaccessible while staked. This means you will be exposed to volatility in the price of Ethereum, especially for longer contracts.
APY is projected. It is based on previous performance.

FAQs

Is it worth staking Ethereum?

The yield may not be worth it if you have a small amount of Ethereum or only want to stake for a short period of time. Yields typically increase when staked for longer.

What happens if Ethereum’s value decreases while staked?

While possible to withdraw early, doing so will generally be penalised. Before you enter into a contract, you be aware what the terms are and be comfortable with holding tokens even if the market goes through a bear phase.

How much Ethereum do you need to stake?

It is generally possible to stake a fraction of ETH at an exchange. However, some exchanges may require a minimum amount to be staked. Amounts and terms vary.

Can you lose money staking Ethereum?

Yes. If the market drops while your Ethereum is staked and you don't want to unstake because of penalty fees, it could be worth less than it was when the contract ends (assuming you would have sold to reduce your losses).