Exploring Liquid Staking in Crypto Markets: What It Is and How It Works

Nowadays, it is possible to perform various operations with cryptocurrency on the crypto market as long as it brings profit. Staking is one of the most wide-spread ways to get passive income from cryptocurrency. Due to its popularity among crypto enthusiasts, this form of alternative to traditional mining has begun to modernize and take on different forms. So, liquid stacking has appeared and brought a lot of new features for cryptocurrency development. What is liquid staking crypto and what are the advantages and challenges of liquid staking? In this article we try to find the answers!

What Is Liquid Staking in Crypto?

In order to define all the specifics of the liquid staking process, it’s essential to clearly understand liquid staking meaning as a separate term. What is liquid staking in crypto? Let’s figure it out!

Liquid staking is the issue of a "derivative" token secured by a cryptocurrency blocked in staking. Simply put, it’s a process that allows users to place their cryptocurrency assets while maintaining the flexibility to use them for other purposes. Crypto liquid staking works by converting the delivered tokens into a more liquid form that can often be sold or used in decentralized cryptocurrency applications.

In the case of liquid staking vs staking, liquid staking reveals the intrinsic value of the delivered tokens, allowing them to be traded and used as collateral in the specific DeFi protocols. It also represents a low-risk, high-profit opportunity, as users can delegate their tokens to a third-party service that bids for them without losing access to their funds. The usual staking that we’re used to, cannot give such advantages.

If you’re interested in ordinary staking but don’t know how to start, Cryptomus staking feature is here to help you! With the Cryptomus wallet you will definitely become the staking master and gain profitable rewards.

How Does Liquid Staking Work in Crypto?

How does the whole process of liquid staking work? The working mechanism of liquid staking crypto is based on specific components called protocols.

Liquid staking protocols are software solutions that allow the user to put their tokens in staking on Proof-of-Stake networks. Most often they work on the basis of the Ethereum network. Users utilize liquid staking protocols receiving in return liquid staking crypto tokens which can be exchanged back at any time for the original tokens they put in staking.

Liquid staking tokens are derivative ones which are issued by the protocol on the DeFi platform every time a user stacks an underlying asset. Precisely these tokens provide access to liquidity while the underlying asset remains locked in the smart contracts.

So what is the primary difference in the principle of operation, if you are wondering about the comparison staking vs liquid staking? The usual staking is when your assets are simply “dead weight” hanging on smart contracts. In turn, the liquid staking provides the issuance of a wrapped token allowing investors to utilize these assets again.

One of the most famous examples of the best liquidity staking protocols is Lido Finance. This protocol allows users to send various cryptocurrencies to staking and receive an equal amount of liquid derivative assets in return. Thus, the user receives income from stacking, but can also dispose of the funds received. At the same time, Lido receives 10% of the stacking rewards.

Types of Liquid Staking Tokens

It has long been no secret that most decentralized platforms use the Ethereum blockchain network for liquid staking. Through the liquid staking ETH protocol or Lido Finance which we’ve mentioned earlier, you can send coins and receive wrapped stETH tokens in return. Furthermore, the user's available supply of stETH varies based on the ETH prizes that he has accrued.

Nevertheless, nowadays not only Ethereum liquid staking on Lido is popular among crypto enthusiasts. Here are several most popular cryptocurrencies that are supported for liquidity staking on various other services:

• Ethereum (ETH)

• Solana (SOL)

• Polkadot (DOT)

• Kusama (KSM)

• Polygon (MATIC)

If we talk in more detail about the protocols that provide users with derivative tokens, then there are also some types which help the process of staking function better. Let's examine the most widely used ETH liquid staking protocols.

• Lido (stETH)

• Ankr (aETH)

• Rocket Pool (rETH)

• StaFi (rToken)

Understanding these liquid staking tools is crucial if you want to make this process efficient and simple for yourself. We've prepared a short description that unites all the services above.

Lido, as well as Ankr, Rocket Pool, and StaFi, allows users to stake their ETH tokens and receive specific staked tokens in return. The exact token you receive directly depends on the network where you are staking liquidity. It can be stETH, aETH, rETH, or other ones that can be used in DeFi applications and traded on exchanges.

Advantages of Liquid Staking

Liquid staking is an innovative concept in the field of the DeFi sphere. As a crucial component of the DeFi ecosystem and a safeguard for blockchain technology, liquid staking platforms are growing in significance. Here are several vital advantages of liquid staking that you should pay attention to.

• Additional earning opportunities and reward options;

• Mobility and liquidity that allows users to withdraw digital assets efficiently without having to wait if there is a necessity;

• Flexible risk management due to the opportunity to withdraw funds;

• The opportunity for effective and safe distribution among several validators increases the security and decentralization of the network.

Challenges of Liquid Staking

For more practical use, it’s also crucial to know the potential troubles that this type of staking and its users may face.

• Loss of delivered assets is one of the primary potential risks connected with liquid stacking. This can occur through a procedure known as "slashing," when the validator's misconduct suffers by deducting a percentage of the given assets.

• Liquid staking definitely requires a specific level of technical knowledge to effectively manage the staking process. This can be a problem for those who are not familiar with the world of cryptography or do not have a deep understanding of blockchain technology.

• Like all cryptocurrency investments, liquid rates depend on the highly volatile nature of the crypto market. Such volatility can lead to significant losses, especially for those who place their assets for a more extended period.

That’s all for now! We hope this article was handy for you. Broaden your investment experience and invest funds wisely together with Cryptomus!