NEAR Protocol is a proof-of-stake blockchain, which means it’s built to reward participation. Kraken now supports NEAR staking, so you can put your NEAR to work in just a few clicks with no technical setup, no validator management, no hassle.How much can you earn?Kraken offers two ways to stake NEAR, depending on how much flexibility you want:Bonded staking: Earn up to 5% APY. Your NEAR is locked for a short period, but with only a 1-day unbonding period, you’re never far from accessing your funds.Flexible staking and Auto Earn: Earn up to 2.5% APY. Your NEAR stays accessible while still generating rewards automatically.Whichever option you choose, rewards are automatically restaked to help compound your earnings over time.Why stake with Kraken?Staking NEAR directly on-chain involves choosing validators, navigating staking infrastructure, and staying on top of ongoing management. Most holders skip it entirely, not because they don’t want the rewards, but because the process isn’t worth the friction.Kraken takes care of all of that behind the scenes. Here’s what that means for you:Simple setup. Stake directly from your Kraken account in a few clicks. No wallets to configure, no validators to research.Automatic rewards. Your staking rewards are automatically restaked, growing your balance without any action on your part.Secure infrastructure. Kraken manages validator operations so you don’t have to. Your NEAR earns in the background while you stay focused on everything else.Full flexibility. You can trade, withdraw, or reinvest your NEAR at any time.What is NEAR Protocol?NEAR Protocol is a layer-1 proof-of-stake blockchain focused on speed, scalability, and developer accessibility. It’s consistently ranked in the top 50 cryptocurrencies by market cap and powers a growing ecosystem of decentralized applications.As a PoS network, NEAR is designed so that holding the token and participating in the network go hand in hand, and staking is the natural way to engage with it.Put your NEAR to workHolding NEAR is only the first step. Staking is where the rewards begin.Whether you already hold NEAR on Kraken or you’re looking for a simple, secure place to stake, Kraken makes it easy to start earning.Trade NEAR on KrakenGeographic restrictions apply. Projected annual rate is an estimate based on the average staking rewards accrued over the past period, before commission, and is subject to change. Staking involves risks including no guarantee of rewards, potential loss from slashing or hacks, and depreciation in the value of assets while staked. Please refer to Kraken’s Terms of Service for additional information.For Flexible staking, Kraken will only stake a portion of your assets. You will receive rewards on up to 50% of the assets you choose to stake.The post Stake NEAR and earn up to 5% APY with Kraken appeared first on Kraken Blog.