In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into Solana liquid staking, exploring the most effective protocols that help you maximize your SOL rewards while maintaining full liquidity. Whether you’re new to staking or a seasoned DeFi user, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about earning yield, leveraging your assets, and navigating risks in 2025’s evolving ecosystem.
Understanding Proof-of-Stake and Solana Staking Basics
Solana operates on a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, where validators secure the network by verifying transactions. To support this process, users can participate as stakers—locking up their SOL tokens to back trusted validators. In return, stakers earn staking rewards, typically distributed as additional SOL tokens.
The amount of reward depends on factors like the total amount staked and the validator’s performance. This system not only incentivizes participation but also enhances network security by aligning economic interests across stakeholders.
However, traditional staking comes with a major limitation: illiquidity. Once your SOL is staked, it's locked and cannot be traded, transferred, or used in other applications—until you go through an often time-consuming unstaking process.
👉 Discover how to unlock your staked assets today and start earning while staying liquid.
What Is Liquid Staking?
Liquid staking solves the problem of illiquidity by allowing users to stake their SOL while still retaining usable, tradeable value. Instead of directly delegating to a validator, you deposit your SOL into a smart contract or staking pool managed by a decentralized protocol.
In return, you receive a liquid staking token (LST)—a derivative token representing your staked position. These LSTs accrue value over time as staking rewards accumulate, and they can be freely used across DeFi platforms for trading, lending, or providing liquidity.
For example:
- Stake SOL → Receive JitoSOL
- Stake SOL → Receive mSOL
- Stake SOL → Receive bSOL
Each of these tokens maintains a 1:1 peg with SOL (plus accrued yield) and can be redeemed later for more SOL than originally deposited.
This innovation unlocks powerful opportunities: you earn passive income and keep your capital productive in the broader Solana DeFi ecosystem.
Top Solana Liquid Staking Protocols in 2025
Jito: Maximizing Yield with MEV Rewards
Before diving into Jito, it’s essential to understand Maximal Extractable Value (MEV)—the profit validators can make by reordering transactions within a block. While MEV can lead to negative effects like frontrunning, Jito turns it into a positive force.
Jito routes user stakes exclusively to validators running the Jito-Solana client, which optimizes block production and captures MEV ethically. A significant portion of this MEV is then redistributed directly to stakers in the form of increased yields.
When you stake with Jito, you receive JitoSOL, a yield-bearing LST that grows in value both from staking rewards and MEV shareouts. This dual-income model makes Jito one of the highest-yielding options on Solana.
Additionally, Jito has integrated with major wallets like Phantom, enabling seamless conversion of native stakes into JitoSOL with just a few clicks—no need to unstake first.
👉 Start earning MEV-enhanced yields with liquid staking—no technical setup required.
Marinade: The Original Native Solution
Launched in March 2025, Marinade Finance was Solana’s first native liquid staking protocol. It offers two distinct paths:
- Liquid Staking: Deposit SOL and receive mSOL, which can be used as collateral on lending platforms like Solend, Marginfi, or Mango.
- Native Staking: Use Marinade’s auto-delegation strategy without interacting with smart contracts—ideal for users prioritizing security and simplicity.
mSOL holders benefit from continuous compounding rewards and broad DeFi compatibility. Marinade also distributes governance tokens (MNDE) to early participants, adding another layer of incentive.
Blaze: Security-First Staking with Customization
Blaze stands out with several key advantages:
- Operates over 200 validators, the largest set on Solana
- Uses officially audited staking pool contracts developed by Solana Labs
- Offers customizable staking options—allowing users to direct funds to specific validator groups
Instead of mSOL or JitoSOL, Blaze issues bSOL, its own LST that reflects real-time staking gains. Its focus on decentralization and transparency appeals to risk-conscious stakers.
Marginfi: High-Yield Staking with Zero Fees
Marginfi is best known for its lending and borrowing platform, but its Marginfi Stake feature offers compelling liquid staking benefits:
- No fees
- 0% commission on rewards
- Competitive APYs, sometimes exceeding other protocols
By depositing SOL or converting existing stakes into Marginfi’s LST, users gain access to leveraged DeFi strategies while earning yield. This integration between lending and staking creates powerful composability within Solana’s financial stack.
Key Benefits of Liquid Staking on Solana
- ✅ Earn passive income from staking rewards and MEV
- ✅ Maintain liquidity via tradable LSTs
- ✅ Use LSTs as collateral in DeFi protocols
- ✅ Avoid long unstaking periods (typically 2–5 days)
- ✅ Access instant swaps of LSTs for USDC or other tokens via DEXs
Risks to Be Aware Of
While liquid staking offers clear advantages, it’s not without risks:
“With great flexibility comes greater responsibility.”
- Smart Contract Risk: LSTs rely on complex code. Bugs or exploits could compromise funds.
- Depegging Risk: If liquidity dries up on DEXs, LSTs may temporarily lose their 1:1 peg with SOL.
- Centralization Concerns: Some pools concentrate power among a few validators, potentially threatening network health.
Always diversify across multiple protocols and audit sources before committing large amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I unstake my SOL instantly with liquid staking?
A: Yes—by swapping your LST (like JitoSOL or mSOL) on a decentralized exchange for SOL or stablecoins, you bypass the standard multi-day unstaking delay.
Q: Are liquid staking rewards compounded automatically?
A: Most protocols, including Jito and Marinade, automatically compound rewards daily, increasing your LST balance over time.
Q: Is liquid staking safe for beginners?
A: Yes, especially when using well-audited protocols like Jito or Blaze. Just ensure you're interacting with official websites and verified wallets.
Q: Can I use LSTs as collateral for loans?
A: Absolutely. Platforms like Solend and Marginfi accept JitoSOL, mSOL, and bSOL as collateral for borrowing assets.
Q: Do I still get voting rights if I liquid stake?
A: No. When you delegate via liquid staking pools, governance rights are typically managed by the protocol—not individual users.
Trading LSTs in Phantom Wallet
Phantom has become a central hub for managing liquid staked assets. If you hold mSOL, JitoSOL, or bSOL, you can easily trade or swap them directly within the Phantom browser extension or mobile app.
You don’t need to wait for unstaking periods—simply swap your LST for SOL or USDC at market rates. This functionality makes Phantom one of the most user-friendly entry points into Solana’s liquid staking economy.
Final Thoughts
Liquid staking has transformed how users interact with Solana’s Proof-of-Stake network. By combining yield generation with liquidity preservation, protocols like Jito, Marinade, Blaze, and Marginfi empower holders to fully utilize their capital in 2025’s dynamic DeFi landscape.
Whether you're looking to maximize returns with MEV rewards or simply want flexibility without sacrificing yield, now is the perfect time to explore liquid staking on Solana.
👉 Take control of your crypto future—start liquid staking your SOL safely and efficiently today.