# Staking SOL basics

### What is SOL staking?

Staking is the process of locking up your Solana (SOL) assets to support the operations of the blockchain. In exchange for staking your SOL, you earn rewards over time, much like earning interest in a bank account. By staking, you actively contribute to the network’s security and transaction processing, helping maintain Solana's **decentralization and efficiency**, while also growing your SOL holdings.&#x20;

Solana operates on a **proof-of-stake (PoS)** consensus model. The network relies on validators who use staked SOL to participate in the validation and consensus process, ensuring the network remains secure and efficient.

### Why should I stake?

Staking SOL is essential not just for personal gains, but also for the health of the Solana network. When you stake, you help secure the network, making it faster, more reliable, and resistant to attacks.&#x20;

Staking SOL is also a **safe process**, as it involves only delegating your tokens to trusted validators, without the need to actively manage or trade them. The staking process is designed to protect your assets while allowing you to earn rewards.

### How staking works?

Staking SOL involves delegating your tokens to a **validator,** a node operator responsible for processing transactions and securing the Solana network.&#x20;

1. Get some SOL and send it to a Solana-compatible wallet.
2. Pick a validator from a list of available options. Visit rsy.app and choose a validator based on real returns.
3. Delegate your SOL to a validator directly from your wallet.
4. Monitor your staking rewards through your wallet&#x20;

After delegation, your SOL becomes active in the next [epoch](#what-is-an-epoch), and rewards are distributed at epoch’s end. You retain control over your SOL, with the flexibility to redelegate to another validator or unstake (with a brief cooldown period).&#x20;

### APY and how it works?

The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) represents the annualized return on your staked SOL, reflecting the rewards earned from participating in Solana’s network. It captures the combined impact of network incentives and validator efficiency.

#### Staking rewards come from two main sources:

* **Transaction Fees**: Each transaction on the Solana network generates a fee, part of which is distributed to stakers.
* **Inflation**: New SOL tokens are minted through inflation, and a portion of those are distributed to stakers as rewards.

APY can **fluctuate** depending on several factors, such as validator performance, network activity, and the amount of SOL staked across the network. Validators with better performance tend to offer more consistent rewards.

### What is an epoch?

An **epoch** is a fixed period that lasts 432,000 slots (2-3 days), during which validators are responsible for validating transactions and producing blocks. At the end of each epoch, rewards are distributed to stakers.

### Native staking

When you stake SOL natively, your tokens are locked for the duration of the epoch, meaning you cannot withdraw or transfer them until the epoch ends. This lock-in ensures that validators have the necessary stake to participate in the consensus process. After each epoch, there is a **cooldown period** of about **2 days** before you can fully unstake your SOL and withdraw it from your wallet.

Staking SOL natively is a **safe** and **secure** way to earn rewards. Even if your selected validator goes offline or performs poorly, your staked SOL remains safe. The Solana network automatically handles the delegation, ensuring that your assets are protected. Additionally, you have the option to re-delegate your stake to another validator at any time to optimize your rewards.
