How To Stake Cosmos ATOM Tokens

Blocks United
8 min readOct 9, 2021

Are you staking ATOM tokens yet? If you are, congratulations; you’ve been earning some amazing staking rewards. If you’re not staking Cosmos, there’s no time like now to get started. It’s hands-down one of the industry’s best blockchains.

Cosmos (ATOM) is a decentralized network of independent parallel blockchains. The ecosystem is gaining traction in the crypto space, thanks to its unique approach to solving blockchain interoperability.

The ATOM token is the native cryptocurrency of the Cosmos Hub, used for staking, governance, and securing the network.

  1. Interoperability: Cosmos enables communication and data sharing between different blockchains, addressing the issue of blockchain silos.
  2. Scalability: The parallel blockchains within Cosmos can process transactions simultaneously, resulting in faster transaction times and increased network capacity.
  3. Customizability: Cosmos allows developers to create custom blockchains tailored to their specific needs and use cases.

In this article, we lay out a step-by-step guide for staking ATOM.

You’ll learn the the whole process; tokens to wallets to rewards. Strap in, dear reader; passive income is only a few button clicks away.

Let’s get started!

How to stake ATOM tokens in Keplr Wallet

Keplr is the preferred way to hold and mange digital assets for Cosmos, and it handles other tokens too. The process is simple.

Instructions

  1. Download Keplr browser extension.
  2. Choose a password or log into your existing Keplr, or connect your Ledger.
  3. Write down your recovery phrase if this is the first time using Keplr.
  4. Select the Cosmos network from the drop down at the top of the wallet.
  5. Click “Receive” to generate an ATOM receiving address and deposit the desired amount of ATOM.
  6. Click the “Stake” button and the main wallet dashboard will open up in a new tab or window.
  7. Either type “Blocks United” in the search box or scroll down the list of active validators to find Blocks United.
  8. Click the arrow to the right of Blocks United.
  9. Click “Delegate.”
  10. Enter the number of tokens you would like to stake. Always leave the spare change to the right of the decimal so you have gas to pay for claiming staking rewards. Then click “Delegate.”

That’s it! Your ATOM is are now staked with our validator node and you’re earning block rewards. You should also see your staked tokens at the top of the page under the heading “My Validators.”

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(IMPORTANT) Be sure to leave at least .01 ATOM in your wallet. This is to pay for future transactions, like claiming your rewards.

How to redelegate ATOM tokens

Pro Tip: Did you know that you can move your staked tokens without unbonding and waiting 21 days? It’s simple!

If you’d like to move tokens from your current validator over to us at Blocks United here’s how:

  1. Click the arrow to the right of your current validator.
  2. Click “Redelegate.”
  3. Type “Blocks United” into the search box, or scroll down the list to find Blocks United and click on our validator name and then click “Next.”
  4. Click “Continue to Delegate.”
  5. Enter the “Amount to Redelegate” and then click “Redelegate.”

That’s it! Within just a couple seconds those tokens will be moved from your current validator over to us at Blocks United. Please know that you can only redelegate once in 21 days.

How to stake ATOM tokens in Cosmostation Wallet

Cosmostation is another great choice for staking ATOM tokens. It’s simple to use as a mobile wallet too, and you can connect your Ledger hardware wallet while using a PC.

Unfortunately, you can’t stake using the desktop browser extension. You must use the web wallet, which you’ll see in the video.

Instructions

  1. Download the Cosmostation app onto your device or extension onto your internet browser. This is where you’ll receive ATOM tokens.
  2. Select web wallet and if using a connected hardware wallet, open the Cosmos app on your physical Ledger device.
  3. Click “Get Started.”
  4. Click “Connect Wallet.”
  5. Click “Cosmostation” or “Ledger” if using a Ledger hardware wallet.
  6. Click “Delegate” on the left side.
  7. Scroll down the list of active validators to find Blocks United. Then click “Delegate.”
  8. Enter the amount you’d like to delegate.
  9. Click “Generate & Sign Transaction.”
  10. The “memo” field is optional.
  11. Click “Confirm.”

That’s it! Your ATOM is are now staked with our validator node and you’re earning block rewards. You should also see your staked tokens at the top of the page under the heading “My Validators.”

How to stake ATOM tokens in the Ledger Live application

To use Ledger Live, you must own a Ledger hardware wallet.

If you’ve ever been hacked, then you know the pain of losing funds.

With a ledger hardware wallet, crypto assets are much tougher to move without device in-hand. Each transaction must be manually signed on the device by its owner.

The extra protection for your private keys will help you sleep at night, knowing your funds are safe.

Instructions

  1. Buy your Ledger and download Ledger Live.
  2. Open Ledger Live on your PC and enter your password.
  3. Click “Accounts” on the left hand side of the wallet window.
  4. Click “Add Account” if you don’t already have ATOM in your wallet.
  5. Click “Choose Crypto Asset” and type in “ATOM.”
  6. Select “Cosmos (ATOM)” and click “Continue.”
  7. Make sure your physical Ledger device is plugged in and the Cosmos app is open.
  8. Name the account, “Cosmos” or “Cosmos Ledger Nano” and click “Add Account.”
  9. A window will pop up that says, “Account added successfully” and click “Done.”
  10. While in the “Accounts” tab click into your new “Cosmos” account.
  11. Click “Receive” to send yourself ATOM from Coinbase, or from wherever you have your coins.
  12. Click “Continue” and then verify the wallet address on your physical Ledger device.
  13. Copy the address onto your clipboard. Then paste it into Coinbase, or wherever you are sending your ATOM from.
  14. Click “Done.”
  15. Verify that your ATOM arrives in Ledger Live. Then, click on your “Cosmos” account while viewing the “Accounts” tab.
  16. Click “Earn Rewards.”
  17. Type, “Blocks United” into the search box.
  18. Type in the number of ATOM you’d like to stake.
  19. Click “Continue” and verify the transaction on your physical Ledger device.

That’s it! Your staked ATOM is now visible in the main wallet “Accounts” page.

(IMPORTANT) Be sure to leave at least .10 ATOM in your wallet. This is to pay for future transactions, like claiming your rewards.

How to stake ATOM tokens using Trust Wallet

Trust Wallet is a simple-to-use mobile app, which you will see in the tutorial video above. It’s great if you’re always on the go.

Instructions

  1. Download the Trust Wallet mobile app.
  2. Set up your new ATOM receiving address, if you have not already done so.
  3. Click the toggle in the top right corner and select and then select the toggle switch next to ATOM Cosmos Hub. That tells the wallet to show you the ATOM tokens on-chain assigned to your address.
  4. Click your ATOM position on your main wallet screen.
  5. Click the blue button that says, “stake”.
  6. Again, click the blue “stake” button or the arrow to the right of it.
  7. Click the arrow to the right of the validator shown. That will bring up the list of ATOM validators to choose from.
  8. Scroll down the list to find Blocks United and click on Blocks United.
  9. Enter the number of tokens you would like to stake. ALWAYS leave the spare change to the right of the decimal. NEVER stake 100% of your tokens, or you will not be able to claim rewards. You need ATOM dust to claim and restake rewards.
  10. Click CONTINUE in the top right corner of the wallet.
  11. Verify the details and click CONFIRM.

A few seconds later your ATOM tokens are staked and you are earning rewards!

You can’t claim Cosmos airdrops in Trust Wallet. Airdrops can only be claimed using a Cosmos-native wallet, like Keplr.

You will need to enter your ATOM private key or Trust Wallet seed phrase into Keplr.

Check out our tutorial: How to Import Exodus, Atomic, and Trust Wallets into Keplr to Claim Airdrops.

The fee to stake, claim rewards, or redelegate is .01 ATOM. Make sure you have enough ATOM to cover the fee. If not, you’ll have to move more funds in before executing more transactions.

Staking ATOM using Atomic Wallet

Atomic Wallet was hacked on June 5th, 2023. If you have funds in that wallet, or in a different wallet using your Atomic Wallet seed phrase your funds may be at risk.

Plus, Atomic Wallet runs their own validator node and they don’t like competition. No other validators are given as choices.

We believe that delegators should be able to choose their validators, so we recommend the other wallets listed on this page.

Atomic Wallet ranks #8 on our list: The BEST and WORST Places to Stake ATOM Tokens.

Staking ATOM using Exodus Wallet

Like Atomic Wallet, Exodus limits your choice to only one ATOM validator. Exodus does not run their own validator node, but instead has partnered with Everstake.

We believe very strongly in freedom of choice. Delegators should be able to choose who they stake with and not be forced into a single option.

Because of that, we do not recommend Exodus Wallet for ATOM staking.

Exodus ranks #7 on our list: The BEST and WORST Places to Stake ATOM Tokens.

Why use Keplr or Cosmostation?

  • Keplr and Cosmostation give you access to the entire Cosmos ecosystem. You can stake many other tokens from these wallets.
  • Plus, Keplr and Cosmostation pull from Mintscan. This means you’ll have access to all 150 active validators. Trust and Atomic wallets only offer a limited set of validators.
  • And, using Keplr or Cosmostation will allow you to claim Cosmos airdrops.

Conclusion

We hope this article has been a useful guide on how to stake ATOM tokens! We wish you the best in your journey to earn passive income. Good luck, and if you have any questions or comments, please contact us!

Thanks for staking with Blocks United. Welcome aboard!

Nothing we say is financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell anything. Cryptocurrency is a highly speculative asset class. Staking crypto tokens carries additional risks, including but not limited to smart-contract exploitation, poor validator performance or slashing, token price volatility, loss or theft, lockup periods, and illiquidity. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. Additionally, the information contained in our articles, social media posts, emails, and on our website is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as financial advice. We are not attorneys, accountants, or financial advisors, nor are we holding ourselves out to be. The information contained in our articles, social media posts, emails, and on our website is not a substitute for financial advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. We have done our best to ensure that the information provided in our articles, social media posts, emails, and the resources on our website are accurate and provide valuable information. Regardless of anything to the contrary, nothing available in our articles, social media posts, website, or emails should be understood as a recommendation to buy or sell anything and make any investment or financial decisions without consulting with a financial professional to address your particular situation. Blocks United expressly recommends that you seek advice from a professional. Neither Blocks United nor any of its employees or owners shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in our articles, in our social media posts, in our emails, or on our website, or for any damage or financial losses you may suffer. The decisions you make belong to you and you only, so always Do Your Own Research.

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Blocks United

We are a trusted “mom and pop shop” Proof of Stake blockchain validator. We keep things decentralized!