Staking: what it means for crypto tax
Staking means earning rewards for helping secure a proof-of-stake network, by running a validator or delegating to one. Staking rewards are usually taxed as income at their value when received, and that value becomes their cost basis for a later disposal.
General information, not tax advice. Crypto tax rules differ by country and change over time, verify against your country's guidance or a qualified advisor.
An example
Receive a staking reward worth 50 and you have 50 of income now; sell it later for 70 and you have a 20 gain measured from that 50 basis.
Why it matters for your tax
Rewards are typically taxable when you can control them, not only when you unstake or sell, so a wallet quietly accruing rewards is accruing taxable income.
CryptaTax handles this automatically across your wallets and exchanges, so the concept is applied consistently without you tracking it by hand. Try the crypto tax calculator →
Related terms
See the full crypto tax glossary for every term, or the crypto tax guides for how they fit together.
FAQ
Staking means earning rewards for helping secure a proof-of-stake network, by running a validator or delegating to one. Staking rewards are usually taxed as income at their value when received, and that value becomes their cost basis for a later disposal.
See the crypto tax glossary for related terms, or the crypto tax guides for worked examples. Rules differ by country, so check your country's rules.