NEAR is an open-source, Proof-of-Stake (PoS) developer-centric blockchain designed focused on scalability. The underlying ecosystem utilizes a sharding technology called Nightshade to distribute transaction processing across multiple validators, thus enabling faster transactions and lower fees.
NEAR employs a Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism. Token holders delegate their NEAR tokens to validators they trust to secure the network. Validators are responsible for validating transactions and producing new blocks. In return for their service, validators earn NEAR protocol staking rewards distributed from transaction fees. Delegation removes the technical complexities of running a validator node for those staking NEAR, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
Running a validator node on the NEAR blockchain requires significant investment and technical expertise, whereas delegation offers a more accessible alternative. However, choosing a validator can be daunting for those unfamiliar with technical specifications. CryptoStake simplifies the process by offering secure, non-custodial NEAR staking. With CryptoStake, you can confidently delegate your NEAR to a validator optimized for maximum efficiency, ensuring you capture the highest NEAR yield without getting bogged down in technical details.
While often compared to Ethereum, NEAR has demonstrably outpaced its competitor by already implementing sharding technology – a crucial scalability solution still under development for the competitor.
Born from the vision of Illia Polosukhin and Alexander Skidano in 2017, the project initially aimed to leverage the Ethereum blockchain but ultimately decided to establish a proprietary blockchain platform, specifically architected for scalability. Officially launched in April 2020, the NEAR Protocol has a string of successful tech implementations under its belt putting NEAR in the cohort of the most promising projects that can shape the future of the blockchain industry. In September 2021, the NEAR project introduced a "Simple Nightshade," thus launching Phase 0 for the network's sharding process.
Sharding essentially fragments the blockchain into smaller partitions, enabling parallel transaction processing and dramatically boosting overall throughput. This translates to faster transaction speeds and significantly reduced fees compared to "traditional" blockchains.
A year later, NEAR rolled out Phase One, further expanding its sharding capabilities. Phase Two testing commenced in 2024 - it introduced a concept called stateless validation, which allows validators to retrieve state change information directly from the network rather than storing it locally, ensuring greater network efficiency.
The NEAR Protocol offers a compelling value proposition beyond its advanced sharding technology. In March 2023, the protocol introduced the Blockchain Operating System (BOS), a network layer that simplifies exploring and building interoperable decentralized applications across different blockchains, positioning NEAR as an important contributor to the development of Web3.
With a clear understanding of the NEAR Protocol's foundation, we can now delve into the process of staking NEAR tokens as a delegator. Delegation represents a mechanism that gives users the means to contribute to the security and proper functionality of the NEAR network and earn rewards without the need to run a validator node. Here's a breakdown of how to stake in NEAR protocol:
You can effortlessly reach the full interest earning potential of your NEAR holdings with CryptoStake's mobile and desktop app. Designed for maximum simplicity of non-custodial staking, we streamline the entire NEAR staking process and reduce it to a few taps or clicks.
CryptoStake's app simplifies NEAR staking with a built-in staking wallet. This secure wallet acts as a bridge, seamlessly connecting your NEAR holdings to the blockchain network for staking. Importantly, due to our non-custodial approach, CryptoStake never has access to your user funds or private keys. This means you remain in complete control of your NEAR tokens throughout the entire staking process, including the accumulation of the NEAR protocol staking rewards.
The CryptoStake wallet also features a live price chart for users to monitor NEAR's market movements in real-time. This valuable information enables them to make informed decisions about adjusting their staking strategy based on market conditions.
CryptoStake extends beyond basic staking functionality, aiming to maximize your return on investment in NEAR tokens while minimizing potential risks. The stability of validator performance is ensured through the use of redundant validator nodes strategically distributed across three independent data centers. This robust redundancy system safeguards against downtime, guaranteeing that you will earn NEAR protocol rewards uninterruptedly.
CryptoStake's robust staking setup, not just for NEAR but other supported PoS coins, is meticulously designed to minimize the risk of slashing. Slashing refers to a network penalty for validator misconduct that can negatively impact your overall NEAR yield.
With CryptoStake, you won't bother with technical complexities and focus on NEAR yields. Our app takes care of the intricacies of NEAR staking, allowing you to effortlessly participate in the network and earn rewards.
When you stake NEAR in our app, you can expect returns that reflect the current state of the NEAR blockchain. This translates to the NEAR protocol APY ranging between 9% and 11%, with potential fluctuations based on network conditions. CryptoStake prioritizes transparency and never offers artificial rewards in the form of wrapped or synthetic tokens with questionable value.
It's important to consider the NEAR protocol's annual inflation rate, currently at 5%. While this might seem to reduce your overall returns, it's important to understand that NEAR's supply mechanism is designed to become deflationary over time. This means the number of new NEAR tokens created each year will gradually decrease, potentially leading to higher value for existing NEAR holdings.
To help you plan for the future, CryptoStake offers an accurate staking calculator. This tool allows you to assess your potential yield for up to 20 years, providing valuable insights for crafting a personalized staking strategy that maximizes your long-term profits.
CryptoStake operates with a transparent 3% commission fee to ensure a smooth staking experience and maintain a robust staking infrastructure required to efficiently run the NEAR staking validator.
Download the CryptoStake app today to start earning NEAR protocol staking rewards and ensure a safer financial future.
NEAR protocol staking rewards are earned for helping secure the network and paid out in NEAR tokens.
NEAR staking offers an APY typically between 9% and 11%, subject to fluctuation.
The minimum amount to stake NEAR depends on the platform - CryptoStake establishes it at 1 NEAR