What is the difference between APY and APR in cryptocurrency? A complete analysis of income calculation

In crypto, APY reflects compounded returns, offering a more accurate yield picture than APR, which doesn't account for compounding.

Jun 11, 2025 at 10:01 pm

Understanding the Fundamentals: What Are APR and APY?

In the cryptocurrency space, APR (Annual Percentage Rate) and APY (Annual Percentage Yield) are two critical terms used to express potential returns on investment. While both measure annual return, they differ fundamentally in how they account for compounding interest. APR represents a simple interest rate, meaning it does not consider the effect of compounding within the year. In contrast, APY incorporates compound interest, which means that earnings from previous periods are reinvested to generate additional returns.

For example, if you stake a cryptocurrency with a 10% APR, you would earn exactly 10% over one year without any reinvestment of your rewards. However, if the same asset offers a 10% APY compounded monthly, your effective yield will be slightly higher due to the reinvestment of monthly earnings. This distinction becomes increasingly important when comparing staking, lending, or yield farming opportunities across different platforms.

How APR Is Calculated in Cryptocurrency Investments

To compute APR in crypto, the formula is straightforward:
APR = Periodic Interest Rate × Number of Periods in a Year.

This method assumes that no compounding takes place. For instance, if you receive a 1% daily return on a liquidity pool, multiplying that by 365 gives an APR of 365%. It's crucial to understand that this figure doesn't reflect the actual profit you might realize if the rewards are reinvested.

Many decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms display APR because it often appears more attractive than APY when compounding intervals are frequent. However, users must be cautious and recognize that APR can overstate the true earning potential if the platform compounds rewards regularly.

How APY Incorporates Compounding for Accurate Yield Estimation

The APY calculation includes compounding effects, making it a more accurate representation of real returns over time. The formula used is:
APY = (1 + r/n)^n – 1,

where r is the periodic interest rate and n is the number of compounding periods per year.

Let’s say a DeFi protocol compounds your staking rewards daily with a 0.0274% daily rate (which equals a 10% APR). Using the APY formula:
(1 + 0.10 / 365)^365 – 1 ≈ 10.52% APY.

This shows how compounding increases the effective yield beyond the stated APR, even though the nominal rate remains the same.

Practical Implications When Comparing Crypto Staking Opportunities

When evaluating staking or yield farming options, investors must compare APY values rather than APR to get a realistic sense of their potential earnings. Platforms may advertise high APRs to attract users, but unless those rewards are compounded frequently, the actual returns may fall short.

Consider two staking pools:

• Pool A offers 20% APR compounded annually.
• Pool B offers 20% APR compounded daily.

While both have the same APR, Pool B has a higher APY due to daily compounding, resulting in greater long-term gains. Users should always look for APY figures when comparing platforms to ensure they are considering the full impact of compounding.

How to Convert APR to APY and Vice Versa

Converting between APR and APY requires knowing the compounding frequency. To convert APR to APY, use the formula:
APY = (1 + APR / n)^n – 1, where n is the number of compounding periods per year.

For example, converting a 12% APR compounded monthly:
APY = (1 + 0.12 / 12)^12 – 1 = 12.68% APY

To reverse the process and find APR from APY, rearrange the formula:
APR = n × [(1 + APY)^(1/n) – 1]

If a platform offers 12.68% APY compounded monthly:
APR = 12 × [(1 + 0.1268)^(1/12) – 1] = 12% APR

These conversions are essential for investors who want to standardize returns across platforms that report either APR or APY.

Real-World Examples: APR vs APY in Popular DeFi Protocols

Take Aave, a popular DeFi lending protocol. It typically displays variable APYs based on supply and demand dynamics. If you deposit ETH into Aave, the platform calculates interest every block (approximately every 15 seconds), leading to continuous compounding. As a result, the APY will always be slightly higher than the APR.

On the other hand, some yield aggregators like Yearn Finance show APY projections after accounting for compounding and fees. These numbers are more reflective of actual returns compared to protocols that only disclose APR without compounding details.

Another example is Binance Earn, which lists both APR and APY for its flexible and locked staking products. Flexible staking usually uses APY to reflect ongoing compounding, while locked staking may display APR since compounding intervals are fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do some platforms prefer displaying APR instead of APY?

Some platforms showcase APR because it tends to appear higher than APY when compounding is not frequent. This can make their offerings seem more lucrative at first glance, even though the real yield (APY) may be lower.

Q: Can APY ever be lower than APR?

No, APY cannot be lower than APR. Since APY accounts for compounding, it will always be equal to or greater than the APR, depending on the compounding frequency.

Q: How often is interest compounded in most crypto protocols?

Most DeFi platforms compound interest daily or continuously, especially in automated yield strategies. However, some traditional staking services may compound monthly or quarterly, affecting the final APY.

Q: Should I focus only on APY when choosing a staking or lending option?

While APY is a better indicator of real returns, investors should also consider risks such as smart contract vulnerabilities, impermanent loss, and token volatility before making decisions solely based on yield metrics.