Decentralized Finance (DeFi) moves fast. It provides forward-thinking staking platforms enabling users to accrue benefits on their cryptocurrency holdings. Even as we near 2025, it is imperative for investors to understand the capabilities and assets these platforms support. Knowing their fee structures can go a long way toward maximizing returns. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best DeFi staking platforms, including EigenLayer, EtherFi, Ethena, Rocket Pool, Jito and Babylon. It provides an in-depth look to help you smoothly move through the DeFi ecosystem.
EigenLayer
EigenLayer is unique as a very general-purpose platform that supports a much broader set of assets. Users can stake ETH as well as liquid staking tokens such as stETH, rETH, cbETH, and LsETH. Users can stake ERC-20 tokens and the platform’s native EIGEN token. With such broad compatibility, investors can easily centralize their staking activities to one platform, adding a layer of simplicity to the DeFi experience.
Unlike Uber and Lyft, the platform has an operator fee set at a flat rate of 10%. Users should do this each time to consider their expected returns. This fee might seem steep on its face. Still, it’s important role in maintaining service operational costs and financial sustainability of the platform overall. Potential stakers should consider this mini-downgrade alongside potential rewards, other platform perks and overall profitability to make their choice.
EigenLayer’s support for a wide array of assets and a unique, fixed fee structure help its reputation as a DeFi staking powerhouse. Its ability to accommodate various tokens makes it an attractive option for users with diversified portfolios, offering a centralized hub for managing and growing their digital assets.
EtherFi
EtherFi is built for onshoring staking services, prioritizing ETH and stETH as the sources of liquidity. This specialization makes it uniquely positioned to provide customized solutions and possibly even optimized returns uniquely suited to Ethereum-based assets. By focusing on these key pillars, EtherFi is committed to delivering a safe and seamless staking experience to all its users.
The platform introduces a 1% annualized platform fee for Liquid Vaults. This transaction fee is very competitive when compared to other DeFi protocols. It goes a long way towards enabling the platform’s continued development and upkeep. Users would need to include this fee in their models to correctly calculate their net returns.
EtherFi differs by taking a targeted approach to ETH and stETH staking. Its fee-tastic structure is definitely one reason Ethereum fans should take a closer look at this. By focusing on these unique assets, it provides highly specialized services. This concentrated approach can result in yield-maximizing and therefore sometimes higher returns than broader platforms.
Ethena
Ethena stands out for their support of ETH, USDe, and ENA. This powerful combination gives users the chance to engage in staking activities with both regular cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. The introduction of USDe, Ethena’s synthetic dollar, adds another layer of utility for users to earn rewards and benefit from price stability.
The platform takes a 0.5% slippage fee and execution fee whenever you mint or redeem USDe. These fees are critical for users to know, as they can represent a substantial cut to overall profitability from staking operations. In cryptocurrency, slippage occurs in the event that the expected price of a trade differs from the actual execution price. Conversely, execution fees are meant to cover the cost of processing said transactions.
Ethena provides an estimated APY of 9% on USDe. This competitive APY of 7% makes staking USDe an appealing choice for users looking for a stable yet rewarding return. It’s important to weigh the potential risks and cost in order to avoid making costly mistakes.
Rocket Pool
Rocket Pool specializes in ETH staking and offers two distinct staking options: liquid staking and node staking. Using liquid staking, users can stake their ETH and get rETH back. They can then use this rETH across multiple DeFi applications. In contrast, node staking is running a Rocket Pool node and being part of the Ethereum network directly.
The platform takes a 14% cut from rETH stakers, taken directly from the staking rewards. This fee goes directly to the node operators who keep the infrastructure for the Rocket Pool network running and helps keep them fairly compensated. Those interested in liquid staking should take this fee into account when determining the expected returns of such products.
Rocket Pool provides an ALPHA APY of 2.79% for liquid staking and 4.39% for node staking. These APYs account for the varying degrees of engagement and risk associated with each staking option. While node staking generally provides better returns, it involves a higher level of technical know-how and dedication.
Jito
Taking the opposite approach to SoulSwap, Jito only does staking with SOL, Solana’s native cryptocurrency. By focusing exclusively on SOL staking, Jito intends to offer the most optimized solutions and highest possible returns while Solana enthusiasts stake their coins. By taking a more targeted approach, this enables the platform to deliver resources most relevant to the Solana community.
The platform takes an annual management fee that is 4% of total rewards, as well as a withdrawal fee of 0.1%. The 10% management fee goes towards covering the expenses for operating the staking pool. When users withdraw their SOL they have used to stake, they face a withdrawal fee. These fees make up a substantial revenue stream that should be considered when determining the overall profitability of staking with Jito.
Jito offers an estimated APY of 7.26%. In a stark contrast to competitors, Jito provides an attractively high APY for participants staking SOL. Plus, it’s a simple way to start earning rewards on your Solana assets! It’s important to weigh these benefits against the fees and risks to determine whether it’s the right decision for you.
Babylon
Babylon supports BTC staking through ont-chain liquidity staking services, giving users the opportunity to earn attractive rewards on their Bitcoin holdings. This is an important step forward since native Bitcoin staking mechanisms have previously been scarce. Babylon’s platform presents an exciting new opportunity for Bitcoin holders to get involved in the DeFi ecosystem.
On Kraken, the platform charges a transaction fee to unbond of 0.00032 BTC. This fee is passed on to the users when they decide to unstake their BTC. This allows for the costs of processing the unbonding transaction to be covered. Users need to include this fee in their calculation in order to have a realistic view of their net returns.
Babylon’s new introduction of BTC staking significantly lowers the barrier of entry for Bitcoin holders to earn passive income. By offering an easy-to-use platform for staking BTC, Babylon helps expand and diversify the DeFi ecosystem.
