Proof-of-Stake protocols require validators to verify transactions on the blockchain, thereby securing the network and generating rewards in the process. Conversely, Proof-of-Work protocols require miners to solve complex equations that often require high-powered computing machines. For Proof-of-Stake, a validator node can be added by committing a set number of virtual assets (i.e., staking). A validator node is randomly chosen to validate the next block and in return for successfully validating transactions, the validators in the node are rewarded as per the parameters of the relevant blockchain protocol.

Crypto.com’s eligible clients may stake virtual assets through the firm’s on-chain Staking service to secure the applicable network, by validating transactions propagated over the supported blockchains. Such eligible clients can also receive periodic rewards proportionate to the staked virtual assets in accordance with the relevant supported blockchain protocol. You may purchase the virtual assets in the Crypto.com Exchange or transfer them from an external wallet to your Crypto.com Exchange account to participate in on-chain Staking.

The benefits of using Crypto.com’s on-chain Staking service include:

* Dependent on the generation of rewards determined and received by the blockchain protocol.

** Please note that supported blockchains may independently impose minimum bonding/unbonding periods.

When you stake virtual assets, such assets are programmatically staked to the relevant supported blockchains via third-party node validators.

Please read the on-chain Staking Terms and Conditions carefully in relation to the risks of "slashing", which may occur when the transaction validator representing those assets incorrectly validates or fails to validate a transaction. As a result, there may be non-payment of validation rewards, and the staked virtual assets may be completely lost and/or subject to a penalty.

Please conduct your own due diligence and consult your advisors before making any decision, including whether to participate in on-chain Staking and related transactions.

Crypto.com currently supports the following blockchains and associated digital assets, for on-chain Staking:

*ETH and AVAX are not available for on-chain Staking in Australia.

** Your staked virtual assets will start earning rewards after the activation time and post-processing with the validator. Please note that you may not receive rewards if you choose to unstake your virtual assets early or if the rewards fall below the minimum decimal precision set out in the table above. Please also note that the receipt of your first reward may take longer than the estimated reward frequency after you have staked due to various factors, such as protocol activation time and performance of third-party node validators. The timeline may also be subject to change depending on the applicable blockchain’s network activity.

*** For supported blockchain protocols that offer compounded rewards, your rewards will be disbursed to your Staked Balance. For protocols that do not offer compounded rewards, your rewards will be credited to the Available Quantity in your Wallet and it can be withdrawn.

**** Avalanche (AVAX): All Avalanche network validators have a minimum lock-up period for staking, which is currently set at two weeks. As such, when you stake AVAX with Crypto.com, you may only initiate unstaking after the Activation Period of 14 days.

For the estimated rewards rates, refer to our website for the most up-to-date information. Please note that the rewards rates shown are based on the estimated reward from validators excluding fees charged by Crypto.com and are not final. The actual rewards rate may differ and is not guaranteed, and is subject to change depending on the applicable blockchain network activity which may fluctuate. Rewards must exceed 0.00000001 of the token to be credited.

The Staking History tab under the Staking page provides a record of all your Staking and Unstaking requests with a timestamp of the request and displays the current status of the request.

After you have confirmed your Staking request, the status of your Staking request will first be reflected as “Pending”.

Once we have received your Staking request, we will conduct further checks on your wallet balances and positions. If you do not have sufficient funds in your Available Balances for staking, your Staking request may be “Rejected” by Crypto.com. You may check your wallet balances and positions and initiate another Staking request should you wish to.

Once your Staking request has been accepted by Crypto.com, the status will then be updated to “Activating” and will remain as “Activating” until the virtual assets have been staked on-chain. At this stage, under the “Staking page - Staked Assets” tab, your Staking Balance will be credited with the amount specified in your Staking request and the corresponding amount will be debited from your Available Balance.

The frequency of which virtual assets are staked on your behalf on-chain is protocol-dependent, as blockchain networks typically measure time periods and activity by epochs which determine and impact the staking cycle.

After the virtual assets have been staked on your behalf on the relevant blockchain protocol, your Staking request will be activated and your virtual assets will start generating rewards. Your Staking request status will change to “Staked”. This is the final state of the staking transaction.

You can request to unstake the virtual assets only when the transaction status changes to “Staked” after the “Activation” period ends. However, do take note that most protocols impose an unbonding period when you unstake.

Virtual assets under “Activating” status are not eligible for unstaking”.

After you have confirmed your Unstaking request, the status of your Unstaking request will first be reflected as “Processing”. Do note that once you have confirmed to unstake, you are making an irrevocable request to redeem your virtual assets and the virtual assets under this Unstaking request will stop earning rewards.

Where your Unstaking request has not yet been completed, the status of your Unstaking request will be reflected as “Unbonding”. Once your Unstaking request is completed, your virtual assets will be credited to the Available Balance in your Wallet and your Staking Balance will be debited simultaneously. At this point, the Unstaking request status is reflected as “Unstaked”.

Your virtual assets which have been staked on-chain are reflected as CCY (Staked) under instruments. For example:

The staked balances include your virtual assets previously committed to staking (“Staked”), and virtual assets under the “Activating” and “Unbonding” statuses, if any. Do note that only virtual assets that are under “Staked” status are eligible for rewards.

Where the relevant blockchain protocols offer compounded rewards, Crypto.com will credit your rewards as (Staked) e.g. SOL (Staked). For rewards that are non-compounded, the rewards are credited to Available Quantity under your Balances.

Persons from the following locations and all sanctioned nations are prohibited from participating in on-chain Staking.

In addition, Crypto.com reserves the right to refuse access to on-chain Staking to any user at our sole discretion.

The rewards rates provided are based on the estimated reward from validators excluding fees charged by Crypto.com and are subject to change. The actual rewards will only be disbursed to you after they have been received from the blockchain protocol. The rewards which you receive will be the actual rewards rate received from network validators (which is dependent on the applicable blockchain protocol as well as the performance of the third-party node validators), net of fees we charge for providing this service. Crypto.com does not guarantee any return or any particular rewards rate. Do note that only virtual assets that are under the “Staked” status are eligible for rewards for the time period that rewards are due.

Navigate to “Staking Rewards History” for a detailed log of rewards activity. This page shows the exact date and time for each instance rewards are credited, the quantity of rewards being credited, and the Rewarded Coin. Only rewards greater than 0.00000001 will be distributed. The “Rewarded Coin” column indicates where the rewards are being credited to in your Wallet Balance. In general, the rewards crediting destination is as follows:

Rewards frequency can be up to three times a week, depending on the blockchain protocol.

When you stake more of the same asset, your new stake will only begin earning rewards when the transaction status changes to 'Staked' after the Activation Period has ended. Your previous stake will not be impacted.

Staked virtual assets will not be eligible for trading or transfers on Crypto.com. In addition, the staked positions cannot be used to contribute to your margin balance and will have no collateral weight.

The rewards distributed to you are net of fees.

Our standard fees per virtual asset are as follows:

Crypto.com reserves the right to charge differentiated fees depending on the user, meaning that some eligible users may have access to higher rewards rates compared to other eligible users. The fees may be updated from time to time at our sole discretion.

¹Disclaimer: Each blockchain protocol has different staking structures and mechanisms. These protocols are maintained and supported by various third-party projects who are distinct and separate from Crypto.com.