How to stake Polkadot (DOT) from Australia

Andrew Boyd avatar
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Updated 29 Aug 2022
  • Find out how to stake Polkadot and start to earn a passive income.
  • See the exchanges and Defi apps where you can stake Polkadot for Australians.
  • Get a step-by-step guide that takes you through the procedure.

Staking Polkadot is a way to earn passive income. As well as the financial reward, staking Polkadot reduces price volatility and helps maintain the blockchain's integrity.

There are a number of options for staking Polkadot from Australia. For most people, especially beginners, staking Polkadot on an exchange is the best option. Scroll down to get started.

Don't let your Polkadot sit around

Where to stake Polkadot

Swyftx Earn

On website

Swyftx Earn

Highlights

  • Earn interest on 21 different digital assets, including large-cap cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and stablecoins like Tether and USD Coin.
  • Interest earned is automatically added to your total balance of that cryptocurrency each day.
  • Withdraw assets at any time with no exit fees, lock-ups, or minimum notice period.

Pros

  • No fees.
  • No lockup periods.
  • Earn interest in select crypto which is compounded on a daily basis.

Cons

  • Earn cap applies.
CoinSpot

On website

Highlights

  • Trade a wide variety of over 530 cryptocurrencies, including top options like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, suitable for both beginners and seasoned traders.
  • Simple and intuitive interface for easy navigation and management of your cryptocurrency investments.
  • Focuses on strong security with two-factor authentication (2FA) and cold storage for your digital assets.
  • Based in Australia and fully registered with AUSTRAC for compliance and trust.

Pros

  • Trade at just 0.1% fee and withdraw in AUD for free.
  • Purchase crypto packages (Bundles) in a single transaction.
  • Multiple deposit options with free PayID and Direct Deposit.
  • Access to the CoinSpot NFT Marketplace.
  • User-friendly mobile app for easy trading on the go.
  • Earn $10 in BTC by referring a friend.
  • 24/7 customer support is available.

Cons

  • Margin trading is not available, as it focuses on buying, selling, and swapping a wide range of cryptocurrencies.
  • Fewer selections of cryptocurrencies compared to larger global exchanges.
Crypto.com

Not available for application via this website

Highlights

  • Buy & trade easily with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 400+ other cryptos using 20+ fiat currencies.
  • Trade with flexibility using lower margin requirements and better capital efficiency.
  • Earn while you hold by staking your crypto and unlocking interest and rewards.
  • Get up to 5% cashback with the Crypto.com Visa Card.

Pros

  • More than just trading—access lending, borrowing, debit cards, and other financial tools.
  • Start small with trades as low as $1.
  • Use your assets wisely by leveraging spot holdings as collateral.
  • Explore DeFi with a range of decentralized finance features.
  • Refer and earn rewards.
  • Seamless transactions via NPP and Apple/Google Pay.
  • Regulated in Australia with AUSTRAC registration and an ASIC license.

Cons

  • Lacks in-depth educational content for beginners.
  • Withdrawal fees can be higher compared to other exchanges.
  • The platform’s advanced features may be overwhelming for beginners.
Binance Australia

On website

Highlights

  • Sign up on Binance Australia to get a 100 USDT cashback voucher. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • Access the world's biggest platform for buying, selling, and trading crypto.
  • Trade and stake thousands of cryptocurrencies and trading pairs.
  • Deposit funds without worrying about any extra charges.

Pros

  • Low trading fees.
  • Easily deposit funds using credit or debit cards.
  • Practice with demo trading before diving into real investments.
  • Access powerful charting and trading features designed for experienced traders.
  • 24/7 live chat support.
  • AUSTRAC regulated.

Cons

  • The platform's user interface can be complex for beginners, making it harder to navigate initially.
  • Ongoing regulatory challenges in various countries could raise concerns for some users regarding its long-term stability.

How to stake Polkadot

If you're new to staking in general and haven't staked Polkadot (DOT) before, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process.

Step 1: Choose your staking method

For most people, and particularly first timers, the most convenient way to stake Polkadot from Australia is to use a cryptocurrency exchange. This approach is what we will focus on in this post.

If you would rather not stake on an exchange, you could join a Polkadot staking pool. However, there is a learning curve and probably isn't the best option for those who are new to the game.

Step 2: Select an exchange

Several exchanges offer Polkadot staking, which you can compare in the table above.

Before you decide which one to use, compare staking rewards across a number of exchanges. This is easy to do since they all have yield calculators.

Step 3: Fund your account

If you don't own any Polkadot tokens, you can purchase them on the exchange.

In the event that you already hold Polkadot, you can transfer them to the exchange wallet.

Step 4: Set up the contract

Configure how many tokens you want to stake and for how long. Yields typically increase the more and longer you stake.

You should be clear about the terms for unstaking before setting up the contract. Find out what the penalty would be to take back your tokens before the expiration time.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Staking Polkadot means your tokens are working for you, as opposed to just holding them in a wallet.
  • Staking helps Polkadot's ecosystem. Not only does it reduce volatility, but it also helps with fundamental blockchain operations.
  • It's the more eco-friendly option since you can earn a reward without having to mine.

Cons

  • Staked Polkadot will be inaccessible. If the price drops substantially, the value of your tokens could be lower at the end of the contract than they were when you began.
  • APY is a projection based on past performance and is not what you will actually earn.

FAQs

Is it worth staking Polkadot?

If you only stake a small number of tokens for a short period of time, the yield will be so small that it will barely be noticeable. If you hold a lot of DOT, staking it could return substantially more than you would earn if you simply deposited cash in a savings account.

What happens if Polkadot’s value decreases while staked?

You could withdraw your Polkadot before the expiration date, but this will incur a penalty. If you are going to stake for a long period of time, it's best to do so with a long-term mindset.

How much Polkadot do you need to stake?

You can generally stake as little or as much as you like, but some exchanges may have minimums.

Can you lose money staking Polkadot?

Yes. If the market drops while your Polkadot is staked, and you don't want to incur fees for unstaking it, then its value could be lower at the expiration date than it was when the contract began.

Do you have to stake Polkadot on an exchange?

No. There are a number of independent staking pools for Polkadot, but they aren't as suitable for beginners.

As seen on

Media - The Sydney Morning Herald
Media - Yahoo Finance
Media - News.com.au
Media - Daily Mail Australia
Media - Australian Fintech
Media - Dynamic Business