Internet Computer Staking: Earn 8–20% APY

Q: Can ICP be staked?

Yes, it is possible to stake ICP coins . Internet Computer blockchain uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, which allows holders of ICP to earn rewards for participating in the network by holding and staking their coins. Staking involves holding ICP in a special wallet that is connected to the network and participating in the validation of transactions. Stakers receive rewards for their participation in ICP tokens.

Stake your Internet Computer securely and earn 8–20% APY*

Staking Internet Computer lets you earn passive rewards while helping secure the network, all without giving up control of your assets. Most staking platforms take custody of your ICP to stake it on your behalf. Ledger doesn't when you stake through Ledger Wallet. Your Internet Computer stays on the blockchain, your private keys stay on your hardware device, and you earn 8–20% APY — without handing control to a third party*.

**Disclaimer: Crypto transaction services are provided by third-party providers. Ledger provides no advice or recommendations on use of these third-party services. Rewards and payout frequency are not guaranteed. Ledger does not provide any financial advice or recommendations.

Stake your Internet Computer securely and earn 8–20% APY*

WHY STAKE YOUR INTERNET COMPUTER?

Internet Computer uses a Proof of Stake consensus mechanism. By staking your Internet Computer, you actively contribute to network security and decentralization — and earn rewards in return.

Earn 8–20% APY*

Put your ICP to work through staking and get the chance to earn 8–20% a year*. Earning rewards daily, without selling a single token. The exact yield varies based on network conditions and your validator's commission rate.

Stake directly on-chain

By staking via Ledger Wallet*, your ICP participates directly in the Internet Computer network. Not through a platform holding your assets on your behalf. You're staking, not lending.

Keep full custody

Your private keys are stored on your Ledger hardware device, not on a platform's server. When you delegate, you sign the transaction on your device. The validator participates in consensus on your behalf — but holds no keys and controls no assets. Your ICP stays on the Internet Computer blockchain, associated with your address.

Why stake Internet Computer (ICP) via Ledger Wallet

Cold staking security

Your private keys are stored on a dedicated hardware device, offline and physically separate from your computer*. To stake Internet Computer, you confirm the transaction directly on your Ledger Signer. No staking action goes through without your physical approval.

Access the ecosystem on your terms

The Ledger Wallet app connects you to validators, exchanges, and Internet Computer services, without locking you into a single provider. Whichever option you choose, the transaction is confirmed on your hardware device. The flexibility of the ecosystem, with hardware-level security on every action.

Your validator, your choice

On most staking platforms, the platform selects the validator on your behalf. Through Ledger Wallet, you choose. Compare commission rates, uptime history, and track records, then delegate to whichever validator meets your criteria*. Your delegation isn't tied to a single option; you can review and switch as conditions change.

Stake Internet Computer and earn 8–20% APY*

When you delegate your Internet Computer to a validator via the Ledger Wallet app, that validator participates in securing the Internet Computer blockchain. The Internet Computer protocol distributes block rewards to validators in return — a portion of which is passed on to delegators proportional to their stake, minus the validator's commission rate.

The current estimated annual yield for Internet Computer staking is approximately 8–20%. This figure varies with network participation levels and your chosen validator's commission. Rewards are credited daily. Note: on the Internet Computer, rewards accumulate daily as neuron maturity and are converted to liquid ICP when you choose to spawn or claim them. The yield you receive scales with your chosen dissolve delay (lock-up period): approximately 8% at the minimum 6-month lock, rising to approximately 20% at the maximum 8-year lock, provided you vote on governance proposals.

When comparing validators, the key variables are commission rate, uptime history, and total stake. On some networks, an over-staked validator can dilute individual rewards. You can un-delegate your Internet Computer at any time through the Ledger Wallet app. Most networks apply an un-bonding period after un-delegation — a set number of days during which your ICP cannot be transferred and does not accrue rewards. On networks where slashing is active, a validator misbehaving can result in a partial loss of delegated funds: another reason to choose your validator carefully.

Estimate Internet Computer staking rewards

HOW DOES LEDGER'S SOLUTION WORK?

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5 STEPS FOR STAKING ICP SECURELY

Buy a Ledger hardware wallet

A Ledger hardware device does two things: it stores your private keys on dedicated offline hardware, and it physically signs every transaction. No action, staking or otherwise, can proceed without your confirmation on the device itself.

Buy your hardware wallet

Set up your device and install the Internet Computer app

Connect and unlock your Ledger device.

Follow the setup steps.

On Ledger Live, go to "My Ledger" and install the Internet Computer app.

Visit the Network Nervous System official website and create an NNS Wallet.

Install Internet Computer app on Ledger NNS website to create ICP wallet

Buy or transfer Internet Computer to your account

Transfer your existing ICP to your Ledger account. Keep a small amount aside to cover network transaction fees.

Connect your Ledger to NNS Wallet

Open the NNS wallet and click on “Add Account”.

Then click on “Attach Hardware Wallet”.

Give a name to your hardware wallet. Then click on “Connect to Wallet”.

Verify your hardware wallet information, and click “Attach Wallet”.

Use NNS Wallet with Ledger

Start ICP staking

From the main page of the NNS wallet, use the left-side navigation bar to travel to the "Neurons" tab.

To stake ICP and create a new neuron, click "Stake Neurons" at the bottom of the screen.

You'll then have to choose your Ledger wallet previously set up.

Type the number of ICP utility tokens to stake, then click "Create".

Set the dissolve delay to your preferred years of stake, click "set delay" and confirm it.

Stake ICP now

LEDGER LIVE

Other crypto to stake with Ledger

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ROSE

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KSM

Osmosis*

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CSPR

NEO

Hedera

HBAR

Algorand

ALGO

ATOM*

ATOM

Avalanche

AVAX

Solana*

SOL

Cronos

CRO

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XTZ

Polkadot

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Tron

TRX

NEAR*

NEAR

Stacks

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Mina Protocol

MINA

EGLD*

EGLD

See all coins supported

*Ledger validator node available

Want to learn more about staking?

We answer all the basic questions you might have in our Ledger academy: What is staking? What’s the difference between Proof-of-Stake and Proof-of-Work? What is a validator?

You can also take a look at our School of Block series on Youtube to learn how to get started in staking and make your money work for you.

Visit our Ledger Academy

What is staking

Read the article

School Of Block

See our episode about staking

What is proof of stake

Read the article

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ICP be staked?

Yes, it is possible to stake ICP coins. Internet Computer blockchain uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, which allows holders of ICP to earn rewards for participating in the network by holding and staking their coins.

Staking involves holding ICP in a special wallet that is connected to the network and participating in the validation of transactions.
Stakers receive rewards for their participation in ICP tokens.

What is the difference between staking with Ledger and staking on an exchange?

When you stake through a centralised exchange, the exchange holds the private keys to your assets on your behalf. With Ledger, your private keys are stored on your hardware device*. You interact with validators and services through the Ledger Wallet app, but the keys, and therefore control of your assets, remain with you.

Do I need to keep my Ledger device connected to earn staking rewards?

No. Your Ledger device is only needed when signing a transaction, such as when you initially delegate, switch validator, or un-delegate. Once your stake is active on the blockchain, any potential rewards accumulate without any action required from your device.

What happens if I lose my Ledger device?

Your assets are on the blockchain, not stored on the device itself. Your Ledger can be recovered using your secret recovery phrase, a set of words generated when you first set up the device. With your recovery phrase, you can restore access to your accounts on a new Ledger device. Keeping that phrase secure and offline is essential.

What are the risks of staking Internet Computer?

Staking Internet Computer carries two main risks. First, market risk: the value of your ICP may change during the staking or un-bonding period. Second, on networks where it applies, slashing risk: if a validator misbehaves, delegators can lose a portion of their staked assets. You can reduce slashing risk by choosing a reputable, well-established validator available via the Ledger Wallet app.