How to Stake Solana (SOL): Step-by-Step Guide
This guide explains how to stake SOL safely with non-custodial delegation, how to evaluate validators, and how rewards and unstaking timelines work.
Step-by-Step: Stake SOL
Prepare your wallet
Use a Solana wallet (for example, Phantom or Solflare) and hold enough SOL for staking plus network fees.
Select a validator
Compare validator commission, uptime, and consistency. Lower commission is not enough by itself; reliability and long-term performance matter.
Delegate SOL
From your wallet, create a stake account and delegate to your chosen validator. Delegation changes become active at epoch boundaries.
Monitor rewards
Rewards are distributed each epoch. Track APY, active stake, and epoch progress to understand realized yield.
Unstake when needed
Deactivation is not instant. Plan for a typical 2-3 day delay until stake becomes fully liquid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solana staking non-custodial?
Yes. Your SOL remains under your wallet control and is delegated through a stake account.
When do rewards start?
After stake activation, rewards are distributed at epoch boundaries.
How long does unstaking take?
Usually one epoch boundary (about 2-3 days), depending on when deactivation was requested.