How to Stake ETH on Lido for the First Time (Beginner’s Walkthrough)

By Chanuka Geekiyanage Feb 26, 2026

Staking ETH means putting your Ethereum to work on the blockchain. When you stake ETH, you help secure the Ethereum network and earn rewards in return. Learning how to stake ETH on Lido is one of the simplest ways to get started with this process.

Lido makes staking accessible to anyone, even if you don't have 32 ETH sitting around. It removes the technical barriers that stop most beginners from ever getting started. This guide walks you through every step in plain, simple language.

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What Is Lido and Why Beginners Choose It

Lido is a decentralized protocol that lets anyone stake ETH without needing a large amount or technical knowledge. It was built to open up Ethereum staking to everyday users. If you've been wondering how to stake ETH on Lido, this section gives you the foundation.

What Is Liquid Staking?

Liquid staking means you don't have to lock your ETH away with no access. When you stake through Lido, you receive a token called stETH in return, which you can still use across DeFi platforms. Your money stays productive instead of sitting idle.

Why Lido Is Beginner-Friendly

Lido stands out from other staking methods because it keeps things simple. Here's why beginners lean toward it:

No need for 32 ETH - Traditional Ethereum staking requires exactly 32 ETH to run a validator. Lido removes this barrier completely, allowing you to stake any amount, even a fraction of one ETH.
No need to run a validator - Running a validator node requires technical setup, constant uptime, and ongoing maintenance. Lido handles all of that through its network of professional validators.
Simple interface - The Lido platform is clean and easy to navigate. You don't need to understand blockchain mechanics to use it successfully.

What is stETH?

stETH is the token Lido gives you when you stake your ETH. It represents your staked ETH plus the rewards you're earning over time. As rewards accumulate, your stETH balance grows automatically without any action needed from you.

Many people start by learning how to stake ETH on Lido because it removes every major technical barrier that normally discourages beginners. You don't need to be a developer or a crypto expert. You just need a wallet and some ETH.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you can begin, there are a few simple things you need to have ready. Getting these in place takes less than 30 minutes if you're starting from scratch. Knowing how to stake ETH on Lido becomes much easier when you're prepared.

The Basic Checklist

Here's what you need before you begin:

A crypto wallet like MetaMask - MetaMask is a browser extension wallet that connects directly to Lido. It's free to set up and widely trusted in the crypto space.
Some ETH in your wallet - This is the ETH you plan to stake. You can buy ETH on any major exchange and transfer it to your wallet before starting.
Access to the official Lido website - Always visit the correct URL, which is lido.fi. Bookmark it once you've confirmed it's the right site.
A small amount of ETH for gas fees - Every Ethereum transaction costs a small gas fee paid in ETH. Make sure you have slightly more ETH than you plan to stake so the transaction can go through.

Always double-check the website URL before connecting your wallet. Phishing sites copy the look of real platforms to steal funds. If anything looks slightly off, close the tab and search for the official link through a trusted source.

You don't need to feel nervous about this process. Thousands of people do it every day, and the steps are more straightforward than they appear. Understanding the security differences between Ethereum Mainnet and Layer 2 is also worth a read before you start exploring DeFi platforms beyond Lido.

Step-by-Step Guide - How to Stake ETH on Lido

This is the part you came for. The process of how to stake ETH on Lido takes only a few minutes once your wallet is set up. Follow each step carefully, and you'll have stETH in your wallet before you know it.

Step 1: Connect Your Wallet

Go to lido.fi and click the "Connect Wallet" button in the top right corner. Select MetaMask or whichever wallet you're using from the list. Your wallet will ask you to approve the connection, and once you do, you're ready to proceed.

Step 2: Enter the Amount of ETH

On the Lido staking page, you'll see a simple input field where you type how much ETH you want to stake. You can stake any amount, even less than 0.01 ETH, which makes this completely accessible for beginners. Keep in mind that you need a little extra ETH in your wallet to cover gas fees.

Step 3: Review Transaction Details

Before confirming, Lido shows you a summary of the transaction. Take a moment to review the gas fee and the amount of stETH you'll receive. This screen is your last checkpoint before the transaction goes through.

Step 4: Confirm in Your Wallet

Your wallet will pop up asking you to sign and confirm the transaction. Click "Confirm" and wait a few seconds for the Ethereum network to process it. Do not close your browser or refresh the page while it's processing.

Step 5: Receive stETH

Once the transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, stETH appears in your wallet automatically. You may need to add the stETH token contract to MetaMask manually if it doesn't show up right away. Lido's website provides the token address directly on the platform.

After staking, your rewards begin accumulating on their own. You don't need to do anything for the rewards to grow. Lido distributes staking rewards daily, and they are reflected in your stETH balance over time.

Here's a quick recap of the full process:

Connect your wallet to Lido.fi
Choose the amount of ETH you want to stake
Review the gas fee and transaction details
Confirm the transaction in your wallet
Receive stETH in your wallet

That's genuinely all it takes to complete how to stake ETH on Lido. The hardest part for most beginners is just getting the wallet set up beforehand.

Lido vs Solo Staking vs Centralized Exchanges

Beginners often compare different options before deciding how to stake ETH on Lido versus other methods. Each approach comes with its own trade-offs in terms of control, complexity, and risk. Understanding the differences helps you make a smarter choice.

Feature	Lido	Solo Staking	Centralized Exchange
Minimum ETH	No minimum	32 ETH	Usually low
Technical Skills	Low	High	Very Low
Control of Funds	You keep control	Full control	Exchange holds funds
Liquidity	Receive stETH	Locked	Usually locked
Risk Type	Smart contract risk	Validator risk	Platform risk

When Lido Makes Sense

Lido is the best starting point for anyone who doesn't have 32 ETH or doesn't want to deal with the technical side of running a node. You maintain control of your assets through your own wallet, and you get the added benefit of stETH liquidity. It's the middle ground between full control and full simplicity.

When Solo Staking Makes Sense

Solo staking is ideal for technically experienced users who want maximum decentralization and full control over their validator. It requires exactly 32 ETH and a dedicated machine running 24 hours a day. For most beginners, this is not a realistic starting point.

When Centralized Exchanges Might Appeal to You

Exchanges like Coinbase or Binance offer staking with very little setup. However, you give up custody of your funds when you stake through a centralized platform, which introduces a different kind of risk. If the exchange is hacked or goes down, your staked assets could be affected.

Rewards, Fees, and Risks You Should Know

Before deciding how to stake ETH on Lido, it's important to understand what you're getting into on the financial side. The rewards are real, but so are the risks. This section keeps it straightforward so you can make an informed decision.

Rewards

Staking through Lido earns you a yield on your ETH, which is added directly to your stETH balance over time. The annual percentage rate (APR) varies depending on overall network staking activity. You don't need to claim rewards manually since they compound automatically.

Fees

Lido charges a fee on the staking rewards you earn, not on your original deposit. Currently, Lido takes 10% of rewards split between node operators and a treasury fund. Your deposited ETH is never reduced by fees.

Risks

Every investment in crypto carries risk, and staking is no different. Here are the key risks to understand:

Smart contract risk - Lido relies on code to manage your staked ETH. If that code has a vulnerability and gets exploited, funds could be affected. Lido has been audited multiple times, but no system is completely immune.
stETH price divergence - stETH is meant to track ETH closely in value, but in periods of market stress, stETH can trade at a slight discount to ETH on secondary markets. This matters if you plan to sell stETH before unstaking.
Ethereum network risk - Changes to the Ethereum protocol itself could impact staking rewards or mechanics. These changes are rare and typically signaled well in advance by the Ethereum developer community.

Lido is one of the most audited and battle-tested protocols in DeFi. Knowing these risks doesn't mean you should be scared; it means you're going in with eyes open.

What Happens After You Stake?

Once you complete how to stake ETH on Lido, the heavy lifting is done. From here, the process becomes entirely passive. You can check in occasionally, but there's nothing you need to actively manage.

Watching Your Rewards Grow

Your stETH balance increases gradually as Ethereum staking rewards are distributed. Lido updates balances once per day, so don't be alarmed if you don't see immediate changes after staking. Over weeks and months, the compounding effect becomes noticeable.

Using stETH in DeFi

One of the biggest advantages of staking through Lido is that stETH doesn't just sit there. You can use stETH as collateral, provide liquidity, or deposit it into yield protocols to earn additional returns on top of your staking rewards. If you want to explore those options, Ethereum Layer 2s explained for DeFi users is a great resource to understand where stETH can be used efficiently at a lower cost.

Unstaking Your ETH

If you decide you want your ETH back, Lido supports withdrawals directly through the platform. The process takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the withdrawal queue. Alternatively, you can swap stETH back to ETH on decentralized exchanges if you need liquidity faster.

Conclusion

Staking ETH doesn't have to be complicated or reserved for crypto veterans. Lido was built specifically to make this process approachable, and it shows in how smoothly the experience flows from start to finish. Once you understand what stETH is and why liquid staking exists, the rest falls into place naturally.

The steps covered in this guide show how to stake ETH on Lido, which is really just a few clicks when you're prepared. You connect your wallet, enter your amount, confirm the transaction, and receive stETH. That's genuinely the whole process.

Go at your own pace, start with an amount you're comfortable with, and take the time to understand the risks before diving in. Staking is not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it is a legitimate way to earn yield on ETH you plan to hold long-term. With the right mindset and a little preparation, it's well within reach for any beginner.

FAQs

1. Is it safe to stake ETH on Lido?

Lido is widely used and has gone through multiple independent security audits. However, smart contract risk always exists, and no staking method is completely risk-free.

2. Do I need 32 ETH to stake on Lido?

No, you can stake any amount of ETH on Lido, even a very small fraction. That flexibility is one of the main reasons beginners choose it over solo staking.

3. Can I sell my stETH anytime?

Yes, you can trade stETH on decentralized exchanges or use Lido's built-in withdrawal system to get your ETH back. Liquidity on the open market depends on current conditions, so prices can vary slightly.

4. How are rewards paid on Lido?

Rewards are added automatically to your stETH balance on a daily basis. You do not need to claim or manually collect anything for the rewards to accumulate.

5. Does Lido charge fees?

Yes, Lido takes a percentage of the staking rewards you earn, not from your original ETH deposit. Your deposited ETH remains untouched by the fee structure.

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About the Author: Chanuka Geekiyanage

Chanuka is a content writer, editor and contributor at Panaprium, specializing in long-form editorial articles. He conducts in-depth research and produces well-structured, carefully edited content with a strong focus on clarity, SEO best practices, and consistent formatting. His work spans lifestyle, fashion, wellness, and technical topics, and all articles are reviewed and refined to meet Panaprium’s editorial standards.

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