C
CStaking & yieldFull list
Earn on holdings.
10 tools2 with a free plan6 with an API
10 tools
CC
Free, from $4.99/mo
C
Crypto exchange and app for buying, selling, storing and staking crypto
Centralized exchangesFree plan
B
BB
Paid
B
Crypto exchange for spot, futures, options, P2P trading and earning rewards
Centralized exchangesAPI
B
BB
Free
B
Crypto exchange with zero trading fees, margin, lending and derivatives
Centralized exchangesFree planAPI
K
KK
See site
O
OO
See site
O
MiCA-licensed crypto exchange for EU users with spot, futures, bots and Earn
Centralized exchangesAPI
C
CC
See site
C
Crypto exchange to buy, sell, trade, stake and store digital assets with GBP
Centralized exchanges
G
G
See site
G
G
See site
G
Crypto exchange and app for trading, prediction markets, staking and a credit card
Centralized exchangesAPI
K
K
See site
K
Crypto exchange for spot, futures and margin trading, bots and earn products
Centralized exchangesAPI
M
M
See site
How to choose staking & yield tools
Every tool in this category is a crypto exchange that offers some way to earn on your holdings. So the useful question is which exchange suits how you already buy, hold and trade, and these points separate them:
- Where you are and what you trade in. OKX describes itself as MiCA-licensed for EU users. CEX.IO lists GBP support. Check that a platform serves your region before you move funds.
- How clearly the earn products are labelled. Kraken, CEX.IO, Gemini and Coinbase name staking directly. MEXC and OKX list "earn" products, Binance mentions "earning rewards" and Bitfinex lists lending.
- Pricing. Coinbase is freemium from $4.99/mo, Bitfinex is listed as free with zero trading fees and Binance as paid. We don't have pricing for MEXC, Kraken, CEX.IO, Gemini or OKX.
- Platforms and API access. Kraken, Gemini, OKX, Bitfinex and Binance offer an API if you want to automate. Binance also has desktop apps. Coinbase and Bitfinex are listed for web only.
We haven't tested these tools. Check current yields, lock-up terms and risks on each provider's site.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free option for staking or earning on crypto?
Bitfinex is the only tool listed as free, and it advertises zero trading fees and offers lending. Coinbase has a free tier, with paid plans from $4.99/mo. We don't know the pricing for MEXC, Kraken, CEX.IO, Gemini or OKX, so check their sites.
How much do these platforms cost?
Our list doesn't have much pricing data. Bitfinex is free, Coinbase is freemium from $4.99/mo and Binance is listed as paid. We don't have pricing for the rest. Fees and yields on earn products can also change, so check them with each provider.
What should I look for in a staking or yield platform?
Check that it serves your region. For example, OKX is MiCA-licensed for EU users and CEX.IO supports GBP. Look at whether it offers staking specifically (Kraken, Gemini, Coinbase, CEX.IO) or broader earn or lending products (MEXC, OKX, Binance, Bitfinex). Also check its pricing and whether you need mobile apps or an API.
Which alternatives offer an API or desktop apps?
Kraken, Gemini, OKX, Bitfinex and Binance all offer an API. Binance is the only one listed with desktop apps for macOS, Windows and Linux. MEXC, Kraken, CEX.IO, Gemini, OKX and Binance have iOS and Android apps. Coinbase and Bitfinex are listed for web only.