How to stake AVAX on Core wallet? (Avalanche consensus)

Understanding AVAX Staking Mechanics

1. Avalanche uses a unique proof-of-stake consensus protocol where validators secure the network by locking AVAX tokens and running validator nodes.

2. Core Wallet is an official non-custodial wallet developed by Ava Labs, supporting native staking directly through its interface without requiring third-party services.

3. Staking on Core Wallet does not involve delegation to external validators; users become active validators or delegate to trusted validators they select manually.

4. Minimum stake requirement for becoming a validator is 2,000 AVAX, while delegation has no minimum but requires at least 25 AVAX to initiate a delegation transaction.

5. The staking period must be set between 14 and 365 days, and rewards are distributed daily in AVAX after the staking period begins.

Setting Up Core Wallet for Staking

1. Download Core Wallet from the official Avalanche website — avoid third-party links or unofficial app stores to prevent phishing risks.

2. Create a new wallet or import an existing one using a 24-word mnemonic phrase stored offline.

3. Ensure your wallet holds sufficient AVAX to cover both the stake amount and transaction fees, which are paid in AVAX and typically range between 0.001–0.005 AVAX per action.

4. Confirm that your device’s time and date settings are accurate, as incorrect system clocks may cause signature failures during staking submission.

5. Enable biometric or PIN authentication inside Core Wallet settings to protect private key access during staking operations.

Navigating the Staking Interface

1. Open Core Wallet and go to the “Stake” tab located at the bottom navigation bar on mobile or left sidebar on desktop.

2. Select “Become Validator” if you meet hardware and uptime requirements, or choose “Delegate” to assign tokens to an existing validator.

3. When delegating, search for a validator using their node ID or browse the list sorted by uptime, fee rate, and current stake weight.

4. Enter the amount of AVAX to delegate, specify the staking duration, and review the validator’s commission rate — commission is deducted from rewards before distribution.

5. Confirm the transaction with your wallet password or biometric prompt — the delegation becomes active after one network confirmation.

Reward Distribution and Claiming Process

1. Staking rewards accrue daily and compound automatically if left unclaimed, increasing the effective stake balance over time.

2. Rewards can be claimed at any time after the first 24 hours post-staking initiation, but claiming resets the compounding cycle for that portion.

3. To claim, navigate to the “Rewards” section under the Stake tab and click “Claim All” or select specific pending reward entries.

4. Claimed rewards appear instantly in your wallet’s main AVAX balance and are available for transfer, swapping, or re-staking.

5. Unbonding is not instant — staked AVAX remains locked until the end of the selected staking period, after which it returns to the spendable balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I stake AVAX on Core Wallet using a Ledger hardware device?A: Yes, Core Wallet supports Ledger Nano S and X via USB or Bluetooth connection. Users must enable the Avalanche app on Ledger and confirm all staking actions on the device screen.

Q: What happens if a validator I delegated to gets slashed?A: Delegators do not lose their principal AVAX in slashing events. Only the validator’s own staked tokens are penalized. However, delegators forfeit rewards accrued during the slashing window.

Q: Is there a maximum delegation amount per validator?A: No hard cap exists, but validators may impose personal limits based on capacity. Core Wallet displays real-time “Available Capacity” for each validator before delegation submission.

Q: Do I need to run a node to delegate AVAX?A: No. Delegation requires only a funded Core Wallet and internet connectivity. Running a full node is mandatory only for those choosing “Become Validator”.