Helium staking involves locking up HNT tokens in the Helium Network to create positions, allowing users to participate in governance decisions and earn rewards. Previously, Helium validators were required to stake 10,000 HNT to secure the network and process transactions.

Additionally, running a validator node demanded technical expertise, including setting up and maintaining server infrastructure. However, with Helium’s migration to the Solana blockchain in 2023, the network no longer requires validators, and staking now operates through delegation to third-party staking providers.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Helium staking, from how and where to stake HNT tokens to the pros and cons, common mistakes to avoid, and best practices to maximize your rewards.

Key Takeaways

• Helium staking represents locking up HNT tokens in the Helium Network to create positions that allow users to take part in governance decisions and earn rewards.

• Validators perform consensus, verify hotspots’ transactions, and add new blocks to the Helium blockchain, earning rewards in return.

• The best platforms for staking Helium are its native wallet, Staked, and BitMart.

• Staking this coin has an APY of up to 8.61%.

• Strategies for maximizing rewards include choosing reputable platforms, compounding, staying informed about changes and updates, and monitoring network performance.

Helium Staking: Summary

In this article, we will discuss what is HNT staking and its fundamentals, such as its consensus mechanism and how the process works. We will also examine what staking platforms allow it, and their specific APYs. You’ll learn about the benefits and potential risks of staking HNT and what pitfalls to avoid to ensure a secure staking experience. We will also provide several strategies, tips, and recommendations for top crypto staking platforms.

What is Helium (HNT) Staking?

Many investors often ask, “Can Helium be staked?” Yes, Helium can be staked. The process involves locking up HNT tokens in the Helium Network to create positions that allow users to take part in governance decisions and earn rewards. The primary goal of staking within the Helium blockchain is to strengthen the network’s protocol score, enabling decentralised governance, and supporting subnetworks when delegating tokens.

Staked tokens give users voting power, and in the case of HNT, they can also earn token emissions through delegation to subnetworks, strengthening network participation and ensuring the long-term health of the Helium network.

To successfully host a Helium validator node, users need many technical skills to configure, manage, and optimize their setup for network stability and performance.

It is worth noting that Helium has migrated its blockchain to the Solana network. This migration aims to enhance scalability and performance, and as a result, staking mechanisms and processes have evolved.

How Does Helium Staking Work?

Helium uses a Proof-of-Coverage (PoC) consensus mechanism, a unique consensus algorithm used by the 5G and LoRaWAN subnetworks. It rewards participants for verifying wireless network coverage.

Validators perform consensus, verify hotspots’ transactions, and add new blocks to the Helium blockchain. In return for contributing to the network’s stability, they earn rewards in HNT. Every Helium validator must have 10,000 HNT staked to participate. But that’s not all; to successfully host a Helium validator node, users also need a combination of technical skills, including:

• Stable IP and a few open ports (currently 2154 and eventually port 443)

• AWS EC2 instance T2 large, xlarge, or equivalent

• DNS resolvable URL

• Running miner software

• Rust and a C/C++ toolchain

• Running on stable network connections

Top Platforms For Staking HNT in 2025

The best platforms for staking Helium are its native wallet, Staked, BitMart. In this section, we will provide information about them, and you can decide which option suits you better. But first, let us look at our top non-custodial wallet pick for staking any crypto: Best Wallet.

Best Wallet – Best Platform For High-APY Staking on the Go

Best Wallet is a mobile-first, self-custodial crypto wallet built for users who want full control over their assets while earning competitive staking rewards. Available on iOS and Android, it supports staking for thousands of tokens across 60+ blockchains, making it a versatile choice if you hold multiple assets alongside HNT.

Because it’s self-custodial, your private keys stay with you; it’s not a centralized crypto exchange. Staking is handled directly on-chain through an integrated aggregator that scans for the best APYs in real time. This means you can compare reward rates and lock-up terms before committing your tokens, whether you’re staking established coins or exploring high-yield crypto presale opportunities.

This crypto wallet’s dynamic staking dashboard shows validator information, projected earnings, and lock-up flexibility. Holders of the platform’s native $BEST token can access boosted yields and early entry into select staking projects, making buying the $BEST token a great investment. While Best Wallet does not currently support direct HNT staking natively, it’s a strong option for managing and staking other Proof-of-Stake (PoS) assets in your portfolio, leaving you free to store HNT securely in the same app.

Best Wallet also includes anonymous fiat onramps for those who value privacy. It lets you purchase crypto via cards, e-wallets, or bank transfers without KYC (subject to certain limits). Built-in safeguards such as PIN protection, biometric login, 2FA, and phishing alerts help secure your funds.

Just remember: as with all self-custodial wallets, if you lose your recovery phrase, there’s no way to restore your account. Check out our dedicated Best Wallet Review 2025 for more information.

Visit Best Wallet

Helium Wallet App – Top Platform To Stake Helium Tokens

The most convenient way to stake HNT is through the Helium Wallet app. It allows you to start staking by visiting the ‘Governance’ section, tapping ‘Your Voting Power,’ and locking your tokens. To lock up your HNT, you must have 0.006 SOL in your account to create the position. Tokens are locked for a fixed period and are entirely released at the end of the lockup period.

You can also delegate veHNT to a subnetwork for rewards. To manage your position, you can undelegate, split, extend, or unlock your veHNT/veMOBILE/veIOT position to adjust delegation, increase voting power, or begin the cooldown process for withdrawal. Remember that Helium operates on Solana, allowing any Solana wallet to be used with your account.

Helium Wallet’s Key Features

• You can start staking by visiting the ‘Governance’ section and clicking on ‘Your Voting Power.’

• To lock up your HNT, you must have 0.006 SOL in your account.

• Tokens are locked for a fixed period and are entirely released at the end of the lockup period.

• You can also delegate veHNT to a subnetwork for rewards.

• To manage your position, you can undelegate, split, extend, or unlock your veHNT/veMOBILE/veIOT position.

Helium Wallet’s Pros and Cons

Pros

• Full control over staked tokens

• Voting on proposals

• Delegating veHNT to a subnetwork for token rewards

Cons

• 0.006 SOL needed for staking

• While users can vote on proposals and have full control over their assets, they do need 0.006 SOL for staking

BitMart – Helium Staking Site For Beginners

BitMart allows users to earn staking rewards on both established and new cryptocurrencies. Users can also stake HNT without setting up nodes and without concern about time lengths or minimum staking amounts.

The minimum requirement for HNT staking is 1 HNT, and users can choose between a flexible and a locked option. The former offers an APY of 1%, while the latter provides staking rewards with 1.50% and 2% APY, depending on whether you choose a 14 or a 30-day lock-up period. BitMart doesn’t charge any fees for staking rewards.

BitMart’s Key Features

• The minimum requirement for HNT staking is 1 HNT.

• Users can choose between a flexible and a locked option.

• The flexible staking option offers an APY of 1%.

• The locked staking option provides a 1.50% and 2% APY for a 14 and 30-day lock-up, respectively.

• The platform doesn’t take any fees from staking rewards.

BitMart’s Pros and Cons

Pros

• Low entry point

• Flexible and locked option, catering to different preferences

• Bitmart takes no fees from staking rewards

Cons

• Low APY for the flexible option

• Staking Helium on BitMart offers a low entry point

Staked

Staked is a non-custodial staking infrastructure provider owned by Kraken, offering institutional-grade staking solutions for a wide range of PoS digital assets. Users can stake Helium on Staked with a lock-up period of five months. Unfortunately, there’s no flexible staking option for staking HNT on this platform.

Rewards are allocated every epoch (30 minutes) at the protocol level. To use the platform, there’s a requirement of at least 20,000 HNT or two validator nodes.

Staked’s Key Features

• Staked is a non-custodial staking infrastructure provider owned by Kraken.

• Users can stake Helium on Staked with a lock-up period of five months.

• There’s no flexible staking option for Helium staking on this platform.

• Rewards are allocated every epoch (30 minutes) at the protocol level, offering an APY of 8.6%.

• To use the platform, there’s a requirement of at least 20,000 HNT or two validator nodes.

Staked’s Pros and Cons

Pros

• A non-custodial staking infrastructure

• Rewards come with a Helium staking APY of 8.6%

• They are allocated every epoch

Cons

• A requirement of at least 20,000 HNT or two validator nodes

• While Staked offers a relatively high APY, it requires you to have a minimum of 20,000 HNT

How to Stake Helium: A Step-by-Step Guide

To simplify the process of staking Helium for you, we’ve put together a detailed step-by-step guide:

• Buy HNT

  Buy Helium (HNT) tokens from an exchange that supports it. Transfer them to your Helium Wallet to prepare for staking.
  

• Open the Helium Wallet or HeliumVote.com

  Launch the Helium Wallet app or visit heliumvote.com to access the staking interface.
  

• Access Governance Tab

  Click on the Governance tab and select HNT. This section contains options for checking voting power and locking tokens.
  

• Check Your Voting Power

  Select “Your Voting Power” to see your total. From here, you can lock tokens and create a staking position.
  

• Lock Tokens and Choose Lock-Up Type

  Click “Lock Tokens,” then choose how many HNT to stake. Select decaying (tokens unlock after a set duration) or constant (tokens remain locked until you start unlocking).
  

• Set Lock-Up Duration

  Pick the length of time to lock your tokens. Longer lock-ups increase voting power (veHNT), with up to 4 years offering the highest multiplier.
  

• Delegate to a Subnetwork

  For veHNT rewards, delegate to either the MOBILE or IOT subnetwork. Without delegation, you’ll only have voting rights.
  

• Confirm the Transaction

  Approve the Solana transaction to complete staking. Your HNT will now be locked and earning rewards (if delegated).
  

How Much Can You Earn by Staking HNT?

Investors can earn variable APYs between 1% and 8.6% when they stake Helium. Still, the profit depends on the staking period and the amount staked. As we found, Staked provides the highest APY for staking HNT.

Tips and Strategies for Maximizing Helium Staking Rewards

Everyone who stakes HNT is interested in maximizing their rewards. Here’s how to do that:

• Choosing reputable platforms: Look for low fees, strong security, high uptime, transparency, and positive community reviews.

• Compounding: This means reinvesting your staking rewards to increase the amount of HNT you are staking, which leads to optimizing rewards in the long run.

• Monitoring network performance: Constantly check Helium’s network performance. Monitor transaction fees, block production times, and network security metrics. By being vigilant about network health, you can react efficiently to changing conditions.

• Staying informed about changes and updates: Blockchain networks often undergo changes and updates, so it’s crucial to stay up-to-date about developments that may affect your staking activities.

Mistakes to Avoid When Staking Helium

Let’s go over the most common mistakes of staking this token:

• Not researching HNT enough: Understanding the viability, vision, and underlying technology is smart before committing. Analyse Helium’s whitepaper and assess HNT’s historical performance and the development team’s reputation.

• Failing to diversify: Staking all your HNT in one platform or locking it for too long can expose you to unnecessary risks. It’s crucial to balance staking with liquidity needs.

• Overlooking security risks: Stakers should always pick secure staking platforms and wallets, considering features like two-factor authentication and encryption protocols. Picking a reliable hardware wallet is a very smart decision. They should also manage private keys properly.

Best Practices to Stake HNT

Here are the best practices for staking HNT:

• Understanding its staking mechanism: Ensure you know how staking works for HNT. Educate yourself about the process, requirements, and any other considerations.

• Evaluate the staking rewards: Consider factors like APYs, staking duration, and any other incentives the network offers. Compare different platforms in terms of rewards.

• Stay up-to-date about network updates: It’s always smart to follow the latest news and developments associated with the Helium network. That’s because protocol changes, upgrades, or upcoming events may impact your staking rewards.

Benefits and Risks of Helium Staking

Benefits of Staking Helium

• Helium offers a unique reward system for incentivizing network participants. Users can also get a share of the Helium network’s transaction fees.

• When staking, users participate in the PoC consensus algorithm and enhance the security of the Helium network. 

• Users can earn passive income by staking this coin and earning consistent rewards, all without the need for active trading.

• By staking HNT, users participate in governance to have a say in the network’s decision-making process.

• Helium shows significant growth potential. As the network grows and includes more devices, the demand for HNT coins rises, too. 

Risks of Staking Helium

• Market volatility can lead to Helium’s price fluctuating, impacting the staking rewards.

• Smart contract vulnerabilities can result in fund loss. It’s not uncommon for hackers to target staking platforms or pools.

HNT Staking vs. Sonic Staking: A Comparative Analysis

In this section, we will compare Helium and Fantom. Starting with the consensus mechanism, Helium operates on a PoC consensus mechanism, while Sonic (previously Fantom) uses a customized PoS version known as Lachesis.

Validators must have 10,000 HNT for staking Helium, whereas the validator requirement for Sonic staking is 50,000 FTM. Both offer flexible and locked options, but Helium offers slightly higher APYs.

Helium’s Potential and Beyond

Helium’s innovative Proof-of-Coverage model and competitive APY make it a solid choice for stakers, but it’s far from the only opportunity out there. Explore our curated list of the 14 Best Crypto Staking Coins to discover other networks offering attractive yields, vibrant ecosystems, and valuable governance rights.

How to Unstake Helium: A Detailed Guide

If you want to unstake your HNT, follow these steps:

Step 1. Undelegate your position: If your veHNT is delegated to a subnetwork (MOBILE or IOT), you must undelegate it first by visiting the “Governance” tab, clicking on your veHNT position, and choosing Undelegate. The waiting period for it to become available for unlocking or redelegation is around one epoch, or 24 hours. You have to claim all accrued rewards before you can fully undelegate.

Step 2. Unlocking your position: The constant lockup requires initiating the unlock process before the cooldown begins. The duration of the cooldown is the same as the original lockup duration. Your voting power will decay to zero during this time.

Step 3. Close your position: After the cooldown period, you must close the position to withdraw your tokens. Click on the “Governance” tab, find your unlocked position, and then choose “Close Position” to return the tokens to your wallet.

Future of HNT Staking: Long-Term Trends to Watch

The future of staking Helium looks promising as Helium’s decentralized wireless network continues to expand, fueled by the rising adoption of 5G and IoT technology. This is one of the best Solana projects, offering ongoing enhancements to its staking model on Solana. As demand for network participation grows, users may see more flexible delegation options, improved security, and potentially higher rewards.

Helium has shown substantial growth potential. As the network expands and more devices join, the demand for HNT tokens rises, which can result in potential price appreciation and HNT potentially becoming one of the top staking coins.

As regulatory clarity improves and institutional interest rises, Helium staking could become more mainstream, attracting larger players and increasing liquidity.

Conclusion: Is Staking Helium Worth It?

The primary purpose of Helium staking is to reinforce the network’s protocol score, facilitate decentralized governance, and support subnetworks by delegating tokens. Helium uses a PoC consensus mechanism, a unique consensus algorithm used by the 5G and LoRaWAN subnetworks.

Stakers can use several strategies to maximize their rewards. These include picking reputable platforms, compounding, staying informed about network changes, and monitoring network performance. HNT staking has many benefits, including its unique reward system and substantial growth potential. Still, you should consider risks like smart contract vulnerabilities before using crypto strategies to make money.