introduction
With the rapid development of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, staking, as an important part of the crypto economy, has become one of the important ways for users to participate in the blockchain network. Staking can not only enhance the security of the blockchain network, but also provide investors with a stable source of passive income. Especially in the field of decentralized finance (DeFi), innovative applications of staking are emerging in an endless stream, bringing users more choices and income opportunities.
This article will take 2025 as the time node, review the seven most popular DeFi staking platforms, analyze their unique features, core advantages and potential investment opportunities, and explore how to maximize staking returns through these platforms.
1. The core value of DeFi staking
1. Strengthening network security
The core of staking lies in supporting the operation of blockchain networks by locking crypto assets. Particularly in blockchains that adopt the Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, validators gain transaction validation rights by staking assets, ensuring the network's security and stability. This not only enhances the economic security of the network but also closely aligns the interests of stakers with the long-term development of the network.
2. Sources of passive income
Staking provides users with additional economic incentives. By staking assets, users can earn rewards, which are often distributed in the form of additional tokens. Additionally, some platforms offer airdrops and other reward mechanisms to provide stakers with extra value opportunities.
3. Innovations in restaking
Restaking is an important innovation in the staking field in recent years. Through restaking, users can reuse their staked assets across multiple protocols, further enhancing returns. For example, platforms like EigenLayer allow users to stake ETH or liquid staking tokens (LSTs), providing security for other network applications while unlocking additional rewards.
2. Basic concepts of DeFi staking
1. Smart contracts and staking contracts
Smart contracts are the technical foundation of DeFi staking. Users lock their crypto assets in smart contracts to become validators or delegators of the network, thus earning staking rewards. This automated mechanism ensures the transparency and security of the staking process.
2. Staking rewards and penalty mechanisms
Staking rewards primarily consist of newly minted tokens and trading fee sharing, aimed at incentivizing users to participate in network security maintenance. At the same time, to prevent malicious behavior, many PoS networks introduce slashing mechanisms to punish validators for misconduct.
3. Comparison between DeFi staking and centralized staking
Ownership: DeFi staking allows users to retain control over their assets, while centralized staking often requires assets to be entrusted to third parties.
Transparency: DeFi platforms operate on open-source smart contracts, with the staking process being open and transparent; centralized platforms may lack this transparency.
Ease of use: Centralized staking is more suitable for beginners, while DeFi staking requires users to have a certain level of technical knowledge.
3. Seven major DeFi staking platforms to watch in 2025
1. Lido Finance
Lido is currently the leading liquid staking platform in the DeFi space, supporting users to stake assets across multiple blockchains while maintaining asset liquidity. Through Lido, users can stake tokens like ETH, SOL, and MATIC, and receive liquid staking tokens (such as stETH, stSOL), which can be used in other DeFi protocols to continue earning returns.
Core features:
Provides liquid staking tokens, unlocking asset liquidity.
Decentralized governance, managed by Lido DAO.
Integrated with various DeFi protocols, expanding the use cases for staked assets.
Summary: By the end of 2024, Lido's total value locked (TVL) has approached $40 billion, firmly maintaining its leading position in the DeFi liquid staking space.
2. Pendle Finance
Pendle is an innovative platform focused on yield tokenization, allowing users to tokenize and trade the future yields of their yield assets. This mechanism provides users with more yield management strategies, including fixed income and speculative yield fluctuations.
Core features:
Supports the splitting and trading of yield tokens.
Automated market maker (AMM) designed for decaying assets, optimizing trading efficiency.
Users can participate in governance and share protocol income by locking PENDLE tokens.
Summary: Pendle's TVL exceeded $5 billion in 2024, occupying an important position in the DeFi ecosystem with its yield management innovations.
3. EigenLayer
EigenLayer extends the security of staked assets to more blockchain applications through its restaking mechanism. Users can reallocate their staked ETH or liquid staking tokens to other services for additional rewards.
Core features:
Supports restaking of various assets, including ETH and ERC-20 tokens.
Provides low-cost data availability solutions (EigenDA).
Flexible security parameter settings, supporting customized needs.
Summary: EigenLayer's restaking mechanism provides strong support for the expansion of the Ethereum ecosystem, with its TVL exceeding $20 billion.
4. Ether.fi
Ether.fi is a decentralized, non-custodial liquid staking protocol that allows users to retain control over their private keys while staking ETH. Its liquid staking token eETH offers users more earning opportunities.
Core features:
Non-custodial staking, enhancing user control over assets.
Integrated with EigenLayer, supporting restaking functionality.
Promotes decentralization, enhancing network resilience through independent node operation programs.
Summary: Ether.fi's TVL has exceeded $9.5 billion, becoming one of the important staking platforms in the Ethereum ecosystem.
5. Ethena Finance
Ethena offers a synthetic dollar (USDe) based on Ethereum, maintaining its peg to the dollar through delta hedging strategies and ETH collateral. This design provides users with a censorship-resistant stable asset option.
Core features:
Provides fully supported synthetic dollar USDe.
Accumulate yields through sUSDe, increasing users' passive income.
Decentralized operation, not relying on traditional financial infrastructure.
Summary: Ethena's TVL exceeds $5.9 billion, providing a new solution for the DeFi stablecoin market.
6. Jito
Jito is a liquid staking protocol based on Solana that enhances staking rewards by integrating MEV strategies. Users can stake SOL and receive liquid staking tokens JitoSOL, participating in more DeFi activities.
Core features:
Adopts MEV strategies to improve staking returns.
Non-custodial platform, users retain control over their assets.
Improves Solana network performance and reduces spam transactions.
Summary: By the end of 2024, Jito has staked over 14.5 million SOL, with an annualized yield (APY) exceeding 8%.
7. Babylon
Babylon is the first protocol to bring Bitcoin into the DeFi staking field. Through self-custodial staking, users can directly use BTC to participate in the security maintenance of the PoS network while earning rewards.
Core features:
No bridging or wrapping of BTC, ensuring asset security.
Supports multi-chain staking, maximizing yield potential.
Quick unbinding feature, enhancing asset liquidity.
Summary: Babylon's TVL has surpassed $5.7 billion, pioneering a new model for Bitcoin staking.
4. How to maximize DeFi staking returns?
Diversified investment: Spread assets across multiple platforms to reduce risk.
Reinvestment rewards: Using staking rewards for restaking or yield farming.
Stay informed about market dynamics: Closely track protocol updates and governance decisions.
Optimize trading costs: Choose low gas fee periods for trading.
Utilize liquid staking tokens: Increase additional returns through lending or yield farming.
5. Conclusion
In 2025, the DeFi staking sector will see more innovations and developments. Platforms like Lido, Pendle, and EigenLayer provide users with a wealth of staking choices and opportunities through different innovative approaches. Users can select suitable staking platforms based on their investment goals and risk preferences, maximizing their returns through diversified investment and advanced strategies.
As the DeFi ecosystem continues to expand, staking, as an important component of infrastructure, will play a key role in the coming years. Whether you are a novice or an experienced investor, by gaining a deep understanding of these platforms, you can seize the opportunities in DeFi staking and achieve long-term asset appreciation.
