With global interest rates at all-time lows, many people are looking at alternative ways to grow their wealth. Cryptocurrency has becoming increasingly popular and mainstream, with huge gains in recent years on many different coins. Another way to build your investment is to earn interest on the cryptocurrency you own, especially if you plan on holding it for the long-term. With annualized interest rates of 2.5% for Bitcoin and 10.15% on stablecoins (such as USDC and USDT), your initial investment can increase substantially when compounded over a few years.
| Where to earn interest | Features | Score | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|
Best flexible staking rates  | ☑️ Highest rates for flexible staking ☑️ Dual asset mining and liquidity mining available to earn higher rewards ☑️ No KYC required to use this exchange | 9.8 | Sign Up |
Earn interest on 350+ coins  | ☑️ Earn interest on a huge range of more than 350+ cryptocurrencies ☑️ High rewards when you lock crypto for 120 days ☑️ Largest crypto exchange in the world | 9.5 | Sign Up |
Best mobile app for staking  | ☑️ Easy-to-use mobile app where you can earn interest on crypto in a few clicks ☑️ Earn interest on 20+ coins, with 3-month fixed term giving the highest rewards ☑️ Use the Crypto.com debit card to receive cashback in CRO coins on every purchase | 9.2 | Sign Up |
How do I earn interest on my cryptocurrencies?
There are two main ways to earn interest on your crypto: staking and lending platforms.
Staking is only available for certain coins that run on proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchains. You lock up your crypto, and in return, you earn more of that same coin as a reward for helping validate transactions on the network. It’s a hands-off way to grow your holdings over time.
The other route is through lending platforms. These let you deposit your crypto, and the platform then lends it out to borrowers. You’re not lending directly to someone else—the platform handles that—and in return, you earn a fixed or flexible interest rate. It’s basically like earning passive income while you HODL.
If you’re interested in getting started but don’t own any crypto yet, check out our recommendations on the best crypto exchanges to help you make a smart first move.
Where do I earn interest on crypto?
There are a bunch of exchanges and lending platforms out there that let you earn interest—some offer better rates, while others focus more on flexibility or security. The tough part is figuring out which ones are actually reliable and worth using.
That’s exactly why we put this guide together—to help you compare the top platforms and find one that matches your goals.
What should I look for when choosing a platform?
Here are a few key things to consider before you lock up your crypto anywhere:
We have included a quick comparison table of the top places to earn interest on your crypto. For more detailed information on each of them, keep reading below.
Best places to earn interest: Individual Breakdowns
#1. Bybit - Best for flexible staking
Bybit is one of the top crypto exchanges globally, boasting over 60 million users and offering a variety of interest-earning options. These include both fixed-duration and flexible staking, with Bybit particularly excelling in flexible staking. Based on our experience, Bybit provides higher rewards for flexible staking compared to competitors like Binance. For instance, Solana (SOL) earns 1.81% APR on Bybit, outpacing Binance’s 1.59%. Similarly, flexible staking for USDT offers a competitive 5.54% APR—or an exceptional 10.54% APR for holdings under 500 USDT—substantially higher than Binance’s 3.0% APR. This makes Bybit a standout choice for maximizing returns on flexible staking.
When it comes to fixed-term staking, Bybit's rewards are generally lower compared to Binance. For example, Solana fixed-term staking on Bybit offers 4.00% APR, while Binance provides a significantly higher 9.05%. Additionally, Bybit’s fixed durations are limited to a maximum of 60 days, whereas Binance allows longer locking periods of up to 120 days, making it the better option for maximizing profits from crypto staking.
Bybit does, however, offer advanced earning options such as liquidity mining and dual asset mining, which can yield much higher reward rates. For instance, liquidity mining for USDT can earn between 1.78% and 219.02% APR, while dual asset mining offers rates ranging from 1.17% to an impressive 478.38% APR. These options are best suited for experienced users, as they come with higher risks and require a solid understanding of how the processes work. You can learn more about dual asset mining here and liquidity mining here.
While Bybit is not officially available in the US, it does not require KYC verification, allowing users to sign up anonymously, without providing ID. By using a VPN set to Australia or another supported region, US residents can access Bybit and take advantage of its interest-earning features. This makes it an appealing alternative for US citizens who cannot access platforms like Binance or Bybit directly.
- Dual asset mining and liquidity mining to access much higher levels of interest
- Flexible and fixed term staking with decent APY
- No KYC required, so you can sign up quickly and earn interest anonymously
- Reliable crypto exchange with more than 60 million users
- Not available in the US, unless you use a VPN
#2. Binance - earn interest on 350+ coins
Binance is the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, and it’s easy to see why. With 600+ cryptocurrencies available and interest-earning options on over 350 of them, it’s a great pick for anyone looking to grow their portfolio passively while having access to a massive range of coins.
It’s especially popular with more advanced traders thanks to its deep liquidity, wide selection of tokens, and powerful trading tools. But even if you’re just looking to earn interest while holding, Binance has plenty to offer—whether you’re already using it or just thinking about spreading your investments across multiple assets.
If you want the full rundown on everything Binance has to offer, check out our detailed guide here.
Binance offers some solid interest rates, especially if you're open to locking your crypto for a set period. You can choose terms like 120, 90, 60, 30, or even 14 days, depending on the coin. If you'd rather keep your crypto liquid, there's also a flexible staking option that lets you sell, trade, or move your assets whenever you want.
For example, if you're staking SOL, you can earn:
- 9.05% APR for 120 days
- 3.9% APR for 60 days
- 1.59% APR for 14 days
- 1.59% APR on flexible terms
Stablecoins like USDC and USDT are supported too:
- USDC: 10.08% APR (flexible), 10.66% (30-day lock)
- USDT: 3% APR (flexible), 8.47% (30-day lock)
The downside? Binance not available in the US. If you're in the States, you'll have to use Binance.US, which has far fewer features and limited interest-earning options.
For U.S. users, Crypto.com is a great alternative. It has a user-friendly app, supports a wide range of coins, and offers flexible and fixed-term interest options that are fully accessible from the U.S.
- Buy, sell and trade over 600+ different coins
- Earn interest on more than 350+ cryptocurrencies
- Higher interest rates if you lock coins for 120 days
- Largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world by trading volume
- Not available in the USA
#3. Crypto.com - earn crypto cashback on Visa purchases
Crypto.com is one of the top crypto exchanges out there, giving you access to 250+ coins and letting you earn interest on 28 of them. It’s super mobile-friendly, so everything—from buying and selling to swapping coins—is smooth and easy on your phone.
One of the coolest features is their Visa debit card . There are different card tiers based on how much CRO (their native token) you stake. You load the card with your regular fiat currency and use it just like any other Visa—online or in-store.
Every time you make a purchase, you get cashback in CRO. The highest tier gives you 5% cashback, but even with the basic card (which only requires $400 worth of CRO staked), you’ll still get 1% cashback on every spend. That’s free crypto you can stake for more rewards, convert to fiat, or trade for other coins.
The interest you can earn on Crypto.com depends on the coin you're staking. For example, current rates include 3.73% on POL, 7.13% on SOL, and up to a generous 18.43% on ATOM.
If you use a debit card often, Crypto.com is a smart choice. The CRO cashback you earn on every purchase adds up quickly and can help grow your portfolio alongside the interest you’re already earning.
There’s also the Supercharger feature, which lets you earn rewards on your CRO holdings. The rewards are paid out in a different coin every two weeks, and past offerings have included BTC, ETH, AXS, SHIB, DOGE, UNI, LUNA, and DOT. Some of these have reached APYs as high as 32%, making it a great bonus feature for CRO holders.
Want to dive deeper into what Crypto.com has to offer? Check out our full review detailed review here.
- Buy, sell and swap over 250+ different coins
- Earn interest on 28 cryptocurrencies with high interest rates
- Visa debit card to earn up to 5% cashback on your everyday purchases
- Supercharger feature to earn new coins
- Limited number of coins available for earning interest, compared to other platforms
Where can I earn the most interest on my crypto?
Interest rates are always changing, and they usually depend on whether you choose a flexible or fixed-term option. That said, Bybit and Binance consistently offer some of the highest staking rewards, especially if you're okay with locking your crypto for longer periods.
Is earning interest on crypto safe?
The high interest rates can definitely sound too good to be true—but there are risks you need to understand. When you earn interest on crypto, your coins are typically held by a third party, not in your personal wallet. That means you're giving up full control, and the safety of your assets depends on the platform.
Here are the two main risks:
- Security breaches – Platforms without strong infrastructure are more vulnerable to hacks.
- Borrower defaults – If the platform lends to risky borrowers, there’s a chance of default.
To stay safe, choose a platform with strong security, transparent lending policies, and a good reputation. And don’t keep all your crypto in one place—spread it out to lower your exposure.
Is earning interest on crypto taxable?
In most places, yes—you’ll likely need to report crypto interest as income. You usually have to note the market value at the time you receive it. That said, crypto tax laws vary by country, so it’s best to check in with a tax professional to get personalized advice for your location and situation.
Where do I buy cryptocurrency?
If you don’t own any crypto yet, you can buy it on most major cryptocurrency exchanges. Some of them even let you start earning interest right from the app.
For example, Crypto.com lets you buy over 250+ different coins, and you can start earning interest on 20+ of them directly from the mobile app. It's a super simple way to get started. If you're curious, you can read more in our full review here.
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