What a bank would do — and what you do instead
Banks have no real equivalent to staking. The closest analogy is a share of the fees for keeping the payment system running. On proof-of-stake chains you can take part in securing the network and receive new coins and fees in return — but you are paid in the same volatile asset you stake, and providers keep a commission. Think of staking as a way to avoid dilution on a coin you already intend to hold, not as savings.
Dated rates
| Option | Net rate (variable) | Fee | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coinbase retail ETH | ~1.69% | 35% standard (25.25% with Coinbase One) | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Coinbase cbETH | ~2.34% | Built into token | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Lido stETH | ~2.27% | 10% | Sept 23, 2026 |
| Rocket Pool rETH | ~3.46% APR | Node-operator commission | May 2026 |
Another review measured Coinbase ETH staking at about 1.92% net in September 2026. Different sources measure over different windows, which is why every number here is dated and should be checked again before you act.
Coinbase
Coinbase stakes on your behalf. It is simple and integrated with a brokerage account, but Coinbase holds your ETH and takes the largest cut. Its “up to 13%” staking headline refers to Cosmos, not ETH.
Lido
Lido holds roughly 23% of staked ETH. You receive stETH, which is widely accepted across DeFi. Its size is both a strength (liquidity) and a concern (concentration of validators).
Rocket Pool
Rocket Pool lets independent node operators run validators with smaller bonds. You receive rETH. Its design spreads stake across many operators, at the cost of smaller liquidity than stETH.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Coinbase pay less?
Mostly the commission. A 35% cut on the same underlying rewards leaves less for you than a 10% cut.
Is rETH safer than stETH?
They carry different risks: Rocket Pool is more decentralized, Lido is more liquid. Neither is risk-free.
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