Cryptocurrency platform MoonPay expands offerings with the inclusion of Solana liquid staking, catering to rising demand for crypto yield generation.
MoonPay, the cryptocurrency onramp platform, has expanded its services to include liquid staking for Solana (SOL). This new offering allows users to stake their SOL tokens and receive mpSOL tokens in return, providing a more accessible, flexible, and liquid staking experience.
Previously known for providing only crypto onramps, MoonPay's latest offering competes directly with native Solana staking services like Marinade and Jito. However, MoonPay's platform is designed for speed and ease of use, allowing users to move their tokens whenever they choose.
Key Benefits and Differences
MoonPay's liquid staking for Solana offers several key benefits and differences compared to native Solana staking services.
No Asset Locking
Unlike some native staking setups, MoonPay allows users to stake Solana without locking their assets. Users receive mpSOL tokens that represent their staked SOL and rewards, which can be used or transferred freely, providing continuous liquidity.
Low Minimum Investment
MoonPay accepts staking from as little as $1, making it accessible to small retail investors, whereas some native services or direct validator staking might have higher minimum requirements.
Competitive Yield
MoonPay offers an 8.49% annual yield on staked SOL, which is competitive with or slightly higher than typical yields offered by Marinade and Jito (around 8.3% annually reported for Solana staking more broadly).
Frequent Rewards
Rewards on MoonPay’s platform are paid out every two days, providing a more frequent compounding opportunity and giving users quicker access to earned rewards compared to some alternatives.
User Experience and Accessibility
MoonPay’s product is designed to mirror the simplicity of a traditional savings account, targeting retail users with a straightforward, easy-to-use staking experience without deep technical knowledge. This contrasts with Marinade and Jito, which primarily focus on protocol-native liquid staking and may require more familiarity with the Solana ecosystem.
Geographic Restrictions
MoonPay’s staking is available in over 100 countries but excludes users in New York and the European Economic Area (EEA).
A More Accessible, Flexible Option for Retail Investors
MoonPay positions its liquid staking as a more accessible, flexible option for retail investors through no lockups, low minimums, frequent rewards, and a familiar interface, while maintaining competitive yield levels similar to established Solana-native liquid staking providers like Marinade and Jito.
Marinade and Jito, in contrast, are more established within the Solana ecosystem and primarily offer native token representations (mSOL, JitoSOL) with good liquidity but may involve slightly different staking mechanics or requirements.
This makes MoonPay suitable for users prioritizing ease, liquidity, and minimal barriers to entry, whereas Marinade and Jito may be preferred by users more deeply integrated into Solana’s native infrastructure or seeking protocol-native staking experiences.
A Growing Trend in Crypto
Crypto users, both retail and institutional, are actively seeking flexible ways to earn without losing liquidity. Liquid staking on Solana through MoonPay is live in over 100 countries, excluding the European Economic Area and New York.
As yield generation becomes a standard expectation, not a niche feature, in the crypto world, services like MoonPay's liquid staking for Solana are poised to attract a growing number of users seeking to maximize their returns while maintaining the flexibility to move their assets as needed.
[1] DeFi Development Corp and Upexi bought over 3 million SOL combined, betting on Solana's staking potential. [2] Users can start staking with as little as $1 and receive mpSOL tokens, which remain tradable and earn rewards every 48 hours. [3] Users do not have to wait long to claim returns or move funds when they stake through MoonPay. [4] In April, Solana briefly passed Ethereum in total value staked, reaching nearly $54 billion. A Solana staking ETF recently crossed $100 million in volume. mpSOL can be held or swapped like any other liquid asset, and continues to earn yield as long as it's held. Yield generation is now a standard expectation, not a niche feature, in the crypto world.
- MoonPay's liquid staking for Solana offers investors an opportunity to earn competitive yields while maintaining the liquidity of their assets, as seen in the growing trend of DeFi development and Upexi buying over 3 million SOL combined, betting on Solana's staking potential.
- Differing from traditional Solana staking services, MoonPay's platform caters to retail investors by providing low minimum investment requirements, frequent rewards, a simple user interface, and no asset lockups, making it a more accessible and flexible option compared to services like Marinado and Jito.
