Understanding Solana Staking Pools

Solana staking lets you earn rewards by delegating SOL to validators that secure the network. When you stake, your SOL is delegated to a validator that processes transactions and votes on network consensus. In return, you earn rewards based on the validator’s performance.

‍Key Metrics Explained:

‍Total APY (Annual Percentage Yield) shows your expected annual return. It combines base staking rewards and any MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) rewards. Higher APY means more potential earnings, but consider other factors too.

‍Commission is the validator’s fee, taken from your rewards. A 0% commission means you keep all rewards; 10% means the validator keeps 10% and you get 90%. Lower commissions mean more rewards for you.

‍Vote Success is the percentage of consensus votes the validator successfully cast. Higher is better (ideally 99%+), indicating reliability and consistent participation.

‍Stake Weight is the percentage of total staked SOL delegated to this validator. Higher weight can indicate trust, but very high concentration may reduce decentralization.

‍Location shows where the validator’s infrastructure is hosted. Geographic diversity can improve network resilience.

‍Active Status means the validator is currently operational and processing transactions. Only stake with active validators.

‍Jito MEV indicates the validator participates in Jito’s MEV program, which can add extra rewards on top of base staking rewards. This can boost your total APY.

‍How to Choose a Validator:

‍Balance APY, commission, and vote success. A validator with high APY, low commission, and strong vote success is typically a solid choice. Consider stake weight for decentralization, and check that the validator is active and has a reliable track record. Use this information to find validators that align with your goals for returns, fees, and network participation.