What is MATIC staking and how does it work?

MATIC staking involves locking up Matic tokens to participate in the Ethereum network's consensus mechanism and earn rewards.

The Polygon network itself does not directly support staking. However, Matic tokens, which are native to the Polygon network, can be staked on the Ethereum network. 

This is because Polygon is a layer 2 scaling solution built on top of Ethereum, and its tokens exist on both networks. This symbiotic relationship reinforces the security of the Polygon network while allowing participants to benefit from staking rewards. 

With Stader, the process becomes even more seamless and value-added. Stader accepts MATIC tokens on both the Ethereum and Polygon networks, providing users with flexibility and accessibility in their staking endeavors. 

While staking activities occur solely on the Ethereum network, Stader's integration enables users to take advantage of Polygon's capabilities without compromising on the rewards they earn.

How do I start staking my Matic tokens with Stader?

You can stake your MATIC tokens either on the Polygon Mainnet or Ethereum mainnet using Stader, by following these steps:

Step 1: Access the Stader dApp
Visit the Stader dApp by heading over here. Once there, click on the "Connect Wallet" button located at the top right corner of the page.

Step 2: Approve staking (for first-time users)
For first-time staking with Stader, you will need to approve staking before you can proceed. To do this, click on the "Approve Staking" button. This approval process allows Stader to interact with your MATIC tokens for staking purposes.

Step 3: Enter the stake amount
After connecting your wallet and approving staking, enter the amount of MATIC tokens you want to stake with Stader. The dApp will display the amount of MaticX you will receive in return for your staking. Once you are satisfied, click on the "Stake Matic" button to proceed.

Step 4: Confirm the transaction
A transaction prompt will appear on your wallet interface. Review the details carefully and confirm the staking transaction. Depending on your wallet, you may need to approve the transaction or provide any necessary authentication.

That's it! Once the transaction is successfully confirmed, you should see a confirmation screen. You can now start earning staking rewards for your participation. Remember to check back regularly to track your staking progress and claim any earned rewards.

What’s the minimum amount required to start staking Matic with Stader?

In order to liquid-stake your Matic on Stader, you have no minimum staking value.

Is there a Matic Staking Calculator?

Yes, at Stader Labs you get access to Matic Staking Rewards Calculator where you can get the expected staking rewards with our simple calculator tool. You can scroll up on this page to use the same.

How much can I get rewarded by staking Matic?

The amount of rewards that you can earn through staking Matic can vary depending on many different factors, including the set of validators Matic is staked to, the time period for which you stake your Matic, and the amount of Matic tokens you stake. 

However, with Stader, you can take advantage of one of the best staking rewards available in the market. Stader ensures efficient validator allocation, strategically maximizing staking rewards for its users. Additionally, liquid staking offered by Stader enables the auto-compounding of staked assets, further enhancing the potential rate of rewards over time.

How often do I receive rewards for staking Matic?

Rewards for staking Matic are typically distributed every 24 or 12 hours. 

Also to reiterate, Stader provides the unique functionality of retrieving your staked MaticX rewards from the Ethereum network and distributing them directly to you on the Polygon network.

What is MaticX?

MaticX is Stader's liquid staking token representing Matic staked with Stader. MaticX tokens are offered in return for Matic tokens staked with Stader. You can use your MaticX in DeFi for liquidity mining, lending, and trading staked positions, and still earn Matic staking rewards without having to lock your tokens.

How does MaticX work?

The following steps demonstrate how the MaticX works:

Firstly, Stader stakes your Matic on Ethereum [as Matic is a native token of Polygon network which doesn’t directly support staking].

However, Matic tokens, which are native to the Polygon network, can be staked on the Ethereum network. This is because Polygon is a layer 2 scaling solution built on top of Ethereum, and its tokens exist on both networks.

Then users can receive MaticX in exchange for their staked Matic. MaticX, auto compounds rewards, and grows in value. 

Now you can participate in DeFi once you receive your MaticX while still earning the staking rewards. That way you can get the best of both worlds.

What are the major benefits of staking Matic with Stader?

A few of the advantages of staking your Matic are:
 

• Earning staking rewards: For staking your Matic tokens, you will receive a portion of the transaction fees generated on the network.
• Supporting the network: By staking your Matic tokens, you are helping the Polygon network become more secure, reliable, and decentralized.
• Autocompounding Effect: With Matic liquid staking on Stader, your rewards are restaked automatically delivering even more staking rewards. This auto compounding of rewards can result in much higher returns in the long run.
• DeFi Opportunities: Matic liquid staking allows you to access various DeFi opportunities, enabling you to participate in different decentralized finance protocols and gain additional benefits from your staked assets.
• Efficient Validator Allocation: Liquid staking platforms such as Stader optimize the allocation of staked assets among validators, ensuring effective validation while mitigating risks and maximizing potential benefits for stakers.

Instant Liquidity: Staking with Stader allows for instant liquidity of your staked Matic tokens. This means that you can quickly and easily convert/swap your staked assets. It provides flexibility and accessibility, ensuring that your assets are not locked and can be readily utilized or moved as needed.

What are the risks of staking Matic with Stader?

There are a few risks associated with staking Matic, including:
 

• Smart contract security: Although the Stader code is thoroughly vetted and audited there exists a possibility of malicious users exploiting a vulnerability or a bug in the contract or the polygon network
• Wallet and downstream apps: Wallets and third party apps may have to be used to access staking, users should evaluate the security of the wallets and other third party apps independently, Stader does not hold any responsibility for the security of the wallets or third party applications used in staking. 
• Slashing: If a validator does not behave according to the guidelines set by the network, they can be at risk of Slashing, which means that they can lose full or partial amount of tokens if they go against the protocols.

Can I unstake my MATIC tokens at any time?

Yes, you can unstake your MATIC tokens at any time. 

How do I withdraw my staked Matic?

To withdraw your staked Matic you will need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Unstaking Process
Access the staking platform or dApp where you initially staked your Matic tokens. If it is Stader, then look for the option to "unstake" your tokens. This action will initiate the unstaking process, removing your tokens from the staking pool.

Step 2: Unbonding Period
After initiating the unstaking process, there will be an unbonding or unstaking period during which your tokens will be locked and inaccessible. The duration of this period can vary depending on the staking protocol you are using. During this time, your tokens are held to ensure the security and stability of the network.

Step 3: Completion of Unstaking Period
Wait for the unbonding/unstaking period to complete. Once the specified time has passed, your staked Matic tokens will become available for withdrawal.

Step 4: Token Withdrawal
After the unbonding/unstaking period is over, you can proceed to withdraw your Matic tokens into your connected wallet. This is usually done by clicking on the "withdraw" button within the Stader dApp. 

The withdrawn tokens will be transferred from the staking contract back to your wallet, and you will regain full control over them.

It's essential to be patient during the unbonding period, as attempting to withdraw your tokens before it completes may result in penalties or loss of staking rewards. In case you want to have instant liquidity then you can also go to one of the Decentralized Exchanges (DEXes), where a Liquidity Pool for the LST and the underlying asset has been set. There you could directly swap your liquid staked Matic tokens immediately for your native asset without any delay or unbonding period. 

By following these steps, you can successfully withdraw your staked Matic tokens from the Ethereum network and have them available in your wallet for further use or transactions. Also, it’s better to check the depth of the liquidity and the price impact of your swap, as well as consider gas fees and the time it takes in each chain to validate the transaction.