best crypto wallets for staking and yield in 2025

if you hold crypto, you've probably heard you can earn passive income just by holding it. staking and yield farming let your assets work for you — but the wallet you choose determines how much control, security, and return you actually get.

the core trade-off is simple: custodial wallets (where a third party holds your keys) are easier to use but you're trusting someone else with your funds. non-custodial wallets (where you hold your own keys) give you full control but require more technical know-how.1

here are the best crypto wallets for staking and yield right now, ranked by the balance they strike between ease, security, and earning potential.

top picks at a glance

1. best wallet — best overall for deFi staking

best wallet is a non-custodial wallet built for mobile-first DeFi access. it aggregates staking opportunities across multiple protocols so you can browse yields, stake directly from the app, and keep full control of your private keys.1

• custody: non-custodial (self-custody)
• supported assets: broad range of EVM and non-EVM chains
• lock-up: none — stake and unstake on your own schedule
• why it wins: it's the rare wallet that combines a clean mobile experience with real DeFi composability. you're not locked into a single exchange's staking program — you can pick the pools and protocols that make sense for you.

→ check best wallet

2. coinbase wallet — best for beginners

if you're new to crypto staking, coinbase wallet (the self-custody app, not the exchange) offers a gentle on-ramp. you can stake major assets like Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano directly from the wallet interface, with clear APY estimates and no confusing gas-fee math.2

• custody: non-custodial (but integrated with Coinbase exchange for fiat on-ramp)
• supported assets: ETH, SOL, ADA, MATIC, and more
• lock-up: optional — some assets have unbonding periods
• why it's great for beginners: the interface is clean, the educational content is built in, and you can move between the exchange and wallet without friction.

→ check coinbase wallet

3. kraken — best for high yields and security

kraken is a custodial exchange that consistently offers some of the highest staking yields in the industry — up to 22% APY on certain assets — with no lock-up periods on many of its staking products.1

• custody: custodial (Kraken holds your keys)
• supported assets: 15+ staking assets including DOT, KSM, ADA, ETH, SOL
• lock-up: none for most assets; flexible unstaking
• security: Kraken has one of the best security track records among major exchanges, with regular proof-of-reserves audits
• the catch: because it's custodial, you're trusting Kraken with your funds. for high-conviction holders, the yields are hard to beat — but you don't control the private keys.

→ check kraken

4. ledger — best for cold storage staking

ledger hardware wallets let you stake assets like Ethereum, Solana, Polkadot, and Tezos without ever exposing your private keys to the internet. you stake from the cold wallet using Ledger Live, so your funds remain in cold storage the entire time.2

• custody: non-custodial (self-custody via hardware)
• supported assets: ETH, SOL, DOT, XTZ, ATOM, and more
• lock-up: varies by asset (e.g., ETH has a withdrawal queue)
• why choose ledger: if you're holding significant value, the peace of mind of cold storage while still earning yield is unmatched. the trade-off is a slightly slower setup and a hardware purchase cost.

→ check ledger

5. exodus — best balanced software wallet

exodus is a non-custodial software wallet with a beautiful, intuitive interface and built-in staking for a handful of major proof-of-stake assets. it's a great middle ground if you want self-custody without the complexity of hardware.2

• custody: non-custodial
• supported assets: SOL, ADA, ATOM, XTZ, and others
• lock-up: none
• why it stands out: exodus is one of the few software wallets that feels genuinely polished. the staking flow is straightforward, and the portfolio view gives you a clear picture of your rewards over time.

→ check exodus

how to choose a staking wallet

custody: custodial vs. non-custodial

this is the single most important decision. custodial wallets (like Kraken) are simpler — the exchange handles the technical details, and you can unstake with a click. but you're trusting them with your funds. non-custodial wallets (like Best Wallet, Ledger, or Exodus) give you full ownership, but you're responsible for security and remembering your seed phrase.1

risk tolerance

higher yields usually come with higher risk. some staking pools use newer, less-tested protocols. if you're risk-averse, stick with major assets (ETH, SOL, ADA) on established platforms. if you're comfortable with more experimentation, DeFi aggregators in wallets like Best Wallet can surface higher APYs.

lock-up periods

some staking requires locking your assets for a set period (e.g., 14–28 days). if you might need to sell quickly, choose a wallet or platform with flexible or no lock-ups. Kraken and Best Wallet both offer no-lock-up staking on many assets.1

hot vs. cold wallets

hot wallets (Best Wallet, Exodus, Coinbase Wallet) are connected to the internet — convenient for frequent staking and unstaking, but more exposed to online threats. cold wallets (Ledger) store keys offline, making them far more secure for long-term holdings. a common strategy: use a hot wallet for active staking and a cold wallet for your core holdings.

final take

there's no single best wallet — it depends on your priorities:

• maximize yield with ease? → Kraken (custodial, high APY)
• full control + DeFi access? → Best Wallet (non-custodial, mobile-first)
• new to staking? → Coinbase Wallet (beginner-friendly)
• maximum security? → Ledger (cold storage, still earns yield)
• best all-around software wallet? → Exodus (polished, non-custodial)

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