How to stake SOL in Phantom: native staking and PSOL
Phantom offers two ways to stake SOL: native staking to a validator you choose (minimum 1 SOL, browser extension only, about 2 to 3 days to unstake) and liquid staking with Phantom Staked SOL (PSOL, no minimum, mobile and extension). PSOL charges a 4% fee on rewards and a 0.1% exit fee; for native staking Phantom lists no fee of its own, only the validator's commission applies.
Quick steps
- Decide between native and liquid staking. Choose native staking for your own validator and no Phantom fee, or PSOL for flexibility and no minimum.
- Native: open Solana in the extension. In the browser extension, open Solana from your token list and choose the option to stake SOL, then native staking.
- Native: pick a validator and amount. Compare commission and performance, choose a validator, enter at least 1 SOL and confirm.
- Liquid: find PSOL. In the app or extension, search for PSOL and choose to stake, then enter the SOL amount and confirm.
- Leave SOL for fees. Keep a small amount of SOL unstaked so you can pay network fees later.
- Unstake when needed. For PSOL, choose unstake on the Staked Solana page; for native stakes, unstake, wait until inactive, then withdraw.
Staking SOL helps secure the Solana network and earns rewards in return. Phantom offers two different kinds of staking, and the differences matter for fees, flexibility and how quickly you can get your SOL back. This guide covers both as of October 2026, based on Phantom's help centre. Phantom does not promise a reward rate, and neither do we: rates change every epoch.
Native staking vs liquid staking (PSOL)
| Native staking | Liquid staking (PSOL) | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 1 SOL | None stated |
| Where you can start it | Browser extension only | Mobile app and browser extension |
| What you hold | A stake account with your SOL | PSOL tokens |
| Validator | You choose | Chosen by the stake pool |
| Rewards | Paid in SOL to the stake account | Each PSOL becomes worth more SOL |
| Phantom fees | None listed beyond network fees; validator commission applies | 4% of rewards (protocol fee) plus 0.1% exit fee |
| Getting SOL back | About 2 to 3 days, then a manual withdrawal | Usually instant from reserves; otherwise about 2 to 3 days |
| Use in DeFi | No | Yes, for example on Kamino |
Source: Phantom help centre, checked October 2026. Use our SOL staking calculator to estimate rewards with the rate and commission you see in Phantom.
How native staking works
With native staking you delegate SOL to a validator. The SOL moves into a stake account that you control; it is not pooled with anyone else's or turned into another token. Rewards are added each epoch and compound automatically. An epoch on Solana lasts roughly two to three days, and stake changes take effect at epoch boundaries.
A new stake shows as activating and starts earning once it is active, typically within two to three days. When you unstake, it shows as deactivating until it becomes inactive, and then you withdraw the SOL back to your wallet, which closes the stake account. You cannot add SOL to an existing stake; create a new one instead.
New native stakes can only be created in the browser extension. In the mobile app you can view, unstake and withdraw existing native stakes, but not create them (Phantom help centre, 2026).
Choosing a validator
Phantom suggests comparing validators on commission, uptime and vote performance, and spreading stake across several validators rather than one. A validator's commission is the share of rewards it keeps. A 0% commission today can rise later, so check your validators from time to time. The help centre names independent validator directories such as validators.app for comparison.
How liquid staking with PSOL works
PSOL (Phantom Staked SOL) is Phantom's liquid staking token, launched in 2025. You swap SOL for PSOL, and the stake pool stakes the SOL across validators. Rewards, including staking, MEV and priority fee rewards, are not paid as extra tokens; instead each PSOL becomes redeemable for more SOL over time. That is why you receive fewer PSOL than the SOL you staked.
Because PSOL is a token, you can move it, swap it or use it in DeFi while your SOL stays staked. Phantom's extension links to depositing PSOL on Kamino for lending and borrowing. Phantom says PSOL uses Solana's stake pool program, which has been audited multiple times, and that it does not take custody of your tokens.
When you unstake PSOL, Phantom usually returns SOL immediately from reserve liquidity. If reserves are short, your PSOL is converted into a native stake account instead, which you then unstake and withdraw yourself. The 0.1% exit fee applies when you unstake or swap PSOL, so a very short stake can show a loss at first; rewards appear once they exceed the exit fee.
Fees in plain numbers
Native staking: Phantom lists no fee of its own, but the validator keeps its commission. If a validator earns you 1 SOL of rewards with a 5% commission, you receive 0.95 SOL. You also pay normal Solana network fees, which are tiny.
PSOL: Phantom takes 4% of the rewards, and 0.1% of the amount when you exit. On 100 SOL, the exit fee is 0.1 SOL. Validator commissions inside the pool are not shown separately in the help centre.
Risks to understand
- Price risk: rewards are paid in SOL. If SOL's price falls, you can lose money in dollar terms while earning staking rewards.
- Liquidity: native stakes take about two to three days to unlock. PSOL can usually be exited quickly, but not if reserves are short.
- Token and protocol risk: PSOL depends on smart contracts and the stake pool. Using it in DeFi adds the risks of those apps, including liquidation if you borrow.
- Validator performance: a poorly performing validator earns less. Check your validators from time to time.
- Scams: fake "staking" sites and "PSOL airdrops" exist. Stake only inside the Phantom app or extension. There is no Phantom token.
Converting a native stake to PSOL
Phantom can convert an existing native stake into PSOL from the stake account's page. It deactivates the native stake first. This is useful if you want liquidity without waiting, but remember PSOL's fees.
Staking from a Ledger
If your SOL is on a Ledger connected to Phantom, every staking transaction needs to be approved on the device, and some may need blind signing in the Solana app. See Phantom and Ledger.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum to stake SOL in Phantom?
Native staking needs at least 1 SOL. Phantom lists no minimum for PSOL liquid staking.
How long does it take to unstake SOL in Phantom?
Native stakes take about 2 to 3 days (one Solana epoch boundary) and then need a manual withdrawal. PSOL is usually instant if reserves allow, otherwise about 2 to 3 days.
Does Phantom charge a fee for staking?
Phantom lists no fee of its own for native staking, where only the validator's commission applies. PSOL has a 4% fee on rewards and a 0.1% exit fee.
Can I stake SOL on the Phantom mobile app?
Yes, with PSOL liquid staking. Native stakes can only be created in the browser extension, though you can manage existing ones on mobile.
What APY does Phantom staking pay?
Rates vary by epoch and validator, and Phantom shows current figures in the app. Treat any number as an estimate, not a promise.
Is my staked SOL safe?
Native stakes stay in a stake account you control. The main risks are SOL's price, waiting time to unstake, and smart contract risk with PSOL.