How to achieve passive income through NFT? What is staking and leasing?

"Unlock passive income with NFTs through staking, leasing, or royalties—earn rewards, rent virtual assets, or get paid each time your NFT is resold."

Jun 11, 2025 at 01:49 am

Understanding Passive Income Through NFTs

Passive income through NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) has become a popular concept in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are fungible and interchangeable, NFTs are unique digital assets that represent ownership of specific items or content on the blockchain. These can include digital art, collectibles, music, virtual real estate, or even domain names.

To generate passive income from NFTs, users typically engage in activities like staking, leasing, royalties, renting, or participating in yield-generating platforms. Each method varies based on the platform and the type of NFT owned. The key is to understand how each mechanism works and what risks or rewards are associated with them.

What Is NFT Staking?

NFT staking refers to the process of locking up your NFTs in a smart contract or platform wallet to earn rewards. This concept is similar to staking cryptocurrencies, where you earn interest by keeping your tokens in a wallet or validator node. However, with NFTs, the reward structure may differ depending on the project or ecosystem.

Here’s how it generally works:

• You connect your wallet (e.g., MetaMask) to a platform that supports NFT staking.
• You select the NFT(s) you want to stake from your collection.
• Once approved, you lock those NFTs into the platform’s smart contract.
• In return, you start earning rewards, often in the form of native tokens, governance rights, or exclusive access to features.

Some platforms offer tiered rewards based on rarity or utility of the NFT. For example, Axie Infinity and Bored Ape Yacht Club communities have explored staking models for their holders.

How Does NFT Leasing Work?

NFT leasing allows owners to rent out their NFTs to other users for a specified period. This model is particularly relevant in gaming and metaverse environments, where certain NFTs provide utility or in-game benefits. Instead of selling an NFT, the owner can lease it to another player who wants temporary access without purchasing it outright.

The leasing process involves:

• Finding a marketplace or platform that supports NFT rentals.
• Setting terms such as rental duration, price, and any conditions.
• Approving a smart contract that governs the lease agreement.
• Transferring the NFT temporarily to the lessee while retaining ultimate ownership.

Platforms like Rentable, IQ Protocol, and Doubloon facilitate such leasing mechanisms. Some platforms also allow for automatic enforcement of lease agreements via smart contracts, reducing counterparty risk.

Earning Royalties From NFT Sales

Another form of passive income in the NFT space is earning royalties every time your NFT is resold. When you mint an NFT, you can set a royalty percentage (usually between 5% to 10%) that will be automatically paid to you whenever the NFT changes hands on secondary markets.

For creators, this provides ongoing income without further effort. Here's how it works technically:

• During minting, specify the royalty percentage in the metadata.
• Platforms like OpenSea, Rarible, or LooksRare enforce these royalties during resale transactions.
• Every time the NFT is sold again, the creator receives the agreed-upon percentage automatically.

This system encourages continued value creation and aligns incentives between creators and collectors.

Other Passive Income Opportunities With NFTs

Beyond staking, leasing, and royalties, there are additional ways to generate passive income using NFTs:

• Lending platforms: Some DeFi protocols allow you to lend your NFTs against collateral, earning interest or fees.
• Virtual land rentals: In metaverse platforms like Decentraland or The Sandbox, users can lease out virtual plots for events or advertising.
• Subscription-based access: Certain NFTs grant holders access to exclusive content or services, allowing creators to charge recurring fees.

Each of these methods requires careful evaluation of the platform, security, and market demand before participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I lose my NFT when staking or leasing?

A: While most platforms use secure smart contracts, there is always a risk of smart contract vulnerabilities or rug pulls. Always research the platform thoroughly and avoid unknown or unverified services.

Q: Are NFT royalties guaranteed across all platforms?

A: No, some platforms have removed or reduced support for automatic royalty payments. It's crucial to check whether the marketplace honors creator royalties before listing your NFT for sale.

Q: How do I know if my NFT is eligible for staking or leasing?

A: Not all NFTs are compatible with staking or leasing mechanisms. You need to verify whether the project developers have integrated these functionalities or if third-party platforms support them.

Q: What are the tax implications of earning passive income through NFTs?

A: Earnings from NFTs, including staking rewards, leasing income, and royalties, are generally considered taxable. Consult a tax professional familiar with crypto regulations in your jurisdiction to ensure compliance.