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SubWallet Extension provides a comprehensive staking interface that supports multiple staking methods across various blockchain networks. Earn passive rewards by staking your tokens.

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Accessing the Earning Dashboard

1

Navigate to Earning options

From the SubWallet home screen, click on the Earning tab or select Earning from the menu.
2

View available opportunities

The Earning dashboard shows:
  • Earning Positions: Your active stakes and their current rewards
  • Earning Options: Available staking opportunities across all chains
Earning options are sorted by APY (Annual Percentage Yield) by default, showing the most profitable opportunities first.
3

Filter by staking type (optional)

You can filter opportunities by:
  • Native Staking: Direct validator staking
  • Nomination Pools: Pooled staking with lower minimums
  • Liquid Staking: Stake while maintaining liquidity
  • Lending: Lend tokens to DeFi protocols

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Staking Tokens (General Process)

1

Select a staking opportunity

Click on a staking pool or option that interests you. Review:
  • APY: Expected annual yield
  • Minimum stake: Required minimum amount
  • Total staked: Amount already staked in the pool
  • Commission: Validator or pool fees
2

Click 'Stake'

Click the Stake button to begin the staking process.
3

Select the account

Choose which account you want to stake from. Ensure the account has:
  • Sufficient token balance for staking
  • Extra tokens to cover transaction fees
Some chains require you to maintain a minimum balance even after staking (existential deposit).
4

Enter the stake amount

Type the amount you want to stake. SubWallet displays:
  • Available balance: Maximum you can stake
  • Minimum stake: Required minimum for the pool
  • Maintain balance: Amount you should keep for fees and existential deposit
Don’t stake your entire balance. Keep some tokens for:
  • Transaction fees for unstaking later
  • Maintaining the minimum account balance (existential deposit)
  • Other on-chain operations
5

Choose validator(s) or pool (if applicable)

Depending on the staking type:For Native Staking:
  • Select one or more validators from the list
  • Review their commission rates and total stake
  • Choose validators with good performance and reasonable commission
For Nomination Pools:
  • Select a nomination pool
  • Review the pool’s commission and member count
For Liquid Staking:
  • No validator selection needed
  • You’ll receive liquid staking tokens (like stDOT, LDOT) in return
6

Review transaction details

Check the summary:
  • Stake amount
  • Selected validator(s) or pool
  • Estimated rewards
  • Transaction fee
  • Any cross-chain fees (for liquid staking that requires XCM)
7

Confirm and sign

Click Stake to proceed, then enter your password to sign the transaction.
8

Wait for confirmation

The staking transaction will be processed. Once confirmed:
  • Your tokens will show as “staked” in your earning positions
  • Rewards will start accumulating after the staking activation period (varies by chain)

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Staking Methods Explained

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Native Staking

Direct staking with validators on networks like Polkadot, Kusama, and others. Characteristics:
  • Higher minimum stake requirements (e.g., 250 DOT on Polkadot)
  • You select specific validators
  • Typically higher yields
  • Longer unbonding periods
1

Select Native Staking option

Choose a native staking opportunity for your desired chain.
2

Choose up to 16 validators

On most networks, you can nominate multiple validators (up to 16 on Polkadot/Kusama). This helps ensure your stake is always earning, even if one validator becomes inactive.
Diversify across multiple validators to reduce risk. Choose validators with:
  • High uptime and performance
  • Reasonable commission (5-10% is typical)
  • Not oversaturated (too much stake reduces rewards)
3

Stake and wait

After staking, your nomination will become active in the next era (typically 24 hours on Polkadot). Rewards are paid out each era.

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Nomination Pools

Pooled staking that allows smaller stakes and easier management. Characteristics:
  • Lower minimum stake (as low as 1 token)
  • Pool operator manages validators
  • Slightly lower yields due to pool commission
  • Same unbonding period as native staking
1

Select a Nomination Pool

Choose from available nomination pools. Consider:
  • Pool commission rate
  • Total staked in the pool
  • Pool’s performance history
2

Join the pool

Enter your stake amount (must meet the pool’s minimum) and confirm the transaction.
3

Earn rewards automatically

The pool operator manages validator selection. You earn rewards based on the pool’s performance minus the pool commission.

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Liquid Staking

Stake tokens while receiving a liquid derivative token that you can use in DeFi. Characteristics:
  • Receive liquid staking tokens (LSTs) like stDOT, LDOT
  • No unbonding period (sell LSTs anytime)
  • Use LSTs in DeFi protocols for additional yields
  • May involve cross-chain transfers
1

Select a Liquid Staking protocol

Choose from options like:
  • Acala Liquid DOT (LDOT)
  • Lido staked DOT (stDOT)
  • Bifrost (vDOT)
2

Stake tokens

Enter the amount and confirm. You may see multiple transaction steps:
  1. Cross-chain transfer (if needed)
  2. Minting of liquid staking tokens
3

Receive LSTs

You’ll receive liquid staking tokens at a 1:1 ratio. These tokens automatically accrue staking rewards through price appreciation relative to the native token.
4

Use or hold your LSTs

  • Hold: Simply hold the LSTs to earn staking rewards
  • DeFi: Use LSTs as collateral, in liquidity pools, or other DeFi strategies

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Lending

Lend tokens to DeFi protocols to earn interest. Characteristics:
  • Variable APY based on utilization
  • Can withdraw anytime (if liquidity is available)
  • Different risk profile than staking
  • Supported on networks like Acala, Moonbeam
1

Select a Lending protocol

Choose from available lending opportunities.
2

Supply tokens

Enter the amount to lend and confirm the transaction.
3

Earn interest

Interest accrues automatically. Withdraw anytime (subject to protocol liquidity).

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Managing Your Stakes

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Viewing Active Stakes

1

Open Earning Positions

In the Earning tab, view your active staking positions.
2

Click on a position

Select a position to see detailed information:
  • Total staked amount
  • Current rewards
  • Validator or pool details
  • Unstaking options

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Claiming Rewards

Depending on the staking type: Auto-compounding pools:
  • Rewards are automatically restaked
  • No manual claim needed
Manual claim pools:
1

Open the earning position

Navigate to the position with claimable rewards.
2

Click 'Claim Rewards'

Click the claim button to collect your rewards.
3

Confirm the transaction

Sign the transaction to claim rewards to your wallet. Note that claiming requires a transaction fee.

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Unstaking Tokens

Most staking methods have an unbonding period (typically 7-28 days) during which your tokens are locked and not earning rewards.
1

Open your earning position

Navigate to the staking position you want to unstake from.
2

Click 'Unstake'

Select the unstake option in the position details.
3

Enter the amount to unstake

Specify how much to unstake. You can:
  • Unstake a portion
  • Unstake all
4

Confirm and wait

Sign the transaction and wait for the unbonding period to complete.
During the unbonding period:
  • Your tokens are locked
  • You don’t earn rewards
  • You can’t cancel the unbonding (on most networks)
5

Withdraw unbonded tokens

After the unbonding period, return to the position and click Withdraw to claim your unbonded tokens.

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Advanced Staking Features

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Changing Validators

For native staking, you can change your validator selection without unstaking:
1

Open the earning position

Navigate to your native staking position.
2

Edit nominations

Click the edit or change validator option.
3

Select new validators

Choose different validators from the list.
4

Confirm the change

Sign the transaction. Changes will take effect in the next era.

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Increasing Your Stake

To add more tokens to an existing stake:
1

Access the earning position

Open the position you want to increase.
2

Click 'Stake More'

Select the option to add to your stake.
3

Enter additional amount

Input how much more you want to stake.
4

Confirm

Sign the transaction. The additional stake will start earning rewards immediately (or after activation period).

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Troubleshooting

Common reasons:
  • Insufficient balance (need more tokens)
  • Below minimum stake requirement
  • Chain is not connected or syncing
  • Account type not supported (e.g., read-only account)
Solution: Ensure you meet the minimum requirement and have extra tokens for fees.
Possible causes:
  • Staking hasn’t activated yet (wait for next era)
  • Validator is inactive or oversubscribed
  • Your stake is too small compared to others in the pool
  • Network is experiencing issues
Solution: Wait for activation period, or change to a more active validator.
Some networks require:
  • A minimum stake to remain active
  • Keeping existential deposit
Solution: Unstake slightly less, or unstake all and accept account reaping.
You need tokens to:
  • Pay transaction fees for staking
  • Maintain existential deposit
  • Pay future unstaking fees
Solution: Reduce the stake amount to keep some tokens free.

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Best Practices

  • Start with small amounts to understand the staking process
  • Diversify across multiple validators or pools
  • Regularly check validator performance and adjust nominations
  • Keep some tokens unstaked for fees and liquidity
  • Research APY, commission rates, and unbonding periods before staking
  • For native staking, nominate the maximum number of validators (16) for better rewards
  • Consider liquid staking if you want flexibility to exit quickly

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Security and Risks

Staking Risks:
  • Slashing: Validators can be penalized for misbehavior, affecting your rewards (rare but possible)
  • Lock-up periods: Your tokens are illiquid during unbonding
  • Smart contract risk: For liquid staking and DeFi lending
  • Market risk: Token price can fluctuate while staked
Best Practices:
  • Only stake with reputable validators
  • Don’t stake 100% of your holdings
  • Understand the unbonding period before staking
  • Research the protocol’s security and audit history

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