On PoS blockchains, transactions are validated by nodes that have a certain amount of native tokens (a stake). Since the amount is usually made deliberately high to ensure only technically-capable node runners (validators) are present, users can delegate their funds to them in exchange for a share of the rewards that validators get for their work.

The actual funds stay with the delegator, however. Only the right to use said funds for the sake of validation goes to the validator. The user can withdraw their tokens.

A validator is usually an organization or a person who runs one or more nodes on a particular blockchain. Those nodes have a stake of funds that entitles them to validate transactions, hence the name. In exchange for their operation, they are rewarded with the blockchain’s native tokens. This process is philosophically similar to mining in PoW blockchains, yet it is vastly more energy-efficient. Usually, PoS blockchains consume about 99% less power than comparable PoW chains.

A delegator is the holder of tokens that stakes them with a validator to receive a share of validator rewards.

A centralized validator, most typically a centralized crypto exchange, actually requires a delegator to transfer funds to them and then stakes them on the delegator’s behalf. Thus, the user runs the risk of not being paid back if some trouble arises. When it comes to decentralized validators, no central entity controls the user’s funds except themselves, so there is no risk of someone running away with your money. This makes decentralized staking more secure and safer than the centralized option.

There are certain risks inherent in centralized staking, most importantly, the risk of not controlling your own private keys and, therefore, handing over control of your funds to an exchange. In this sense, decentralized staking is safer since you retain control over your private keys. That being said, decentralized staking is also not completely risk-free as some validators may neglect their duties, which can result in penalties. That is why it is paramount to make sure your staking provider is a responsible one.

To avoid risking your funds, it is reasonable to keep away from centralized staking providers. Among decentralized staking providers, those who ensure nearly 100% uptime and have geographically-distributed nodes are safer since you won’t risk missing your rewards or having the network shut down by one jurisdiction.

Finally, research the community sentiment to learn which staking providers actual delegators trust.

Everstake is a responsible validator trusted by 735K+ users across 70+ blockchain networks. Created by engineers for the entire community in 2018.

Staking crypto refers to the process of participating in a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain network by holding and "staking" a cryptocurrency in a wallet to support network operations such as transaction validation, security, and governance.

In return for staking their assets, participants often earn staking rewards. Everstake, as a staking platform, supports this process by offering users a simple and secure way to stake their cryptocurrencies.

In staking, network participants lock up their cryptocurrency in a wallet to become validators in the network. Validators are then randomly chosen to create new blocks and verify transactions based on the amount they've staked and other network-specific conditions.

Everstake acts as a trusted validator in multiple networks, ensuring that users who stake their crypto with Everstake can participate in these networks without needing to run their own validator node.

In many jurisdictions, staking rewards are considered taxable income. The specifics of reporting can vary, so it's important to consult with a tax professional or use a service that specializes in cryptocurrency tax reporting.

Generally, you would report the fair market value of the rewards at the time you received them. Everstake provides users with detailed reports of their staking rewards for easier tax reporting.

A staking pool is a group of coin holders merging their resources to increase their chances of validating blocks and receiving rewards. They combine their staking power and share the rewards proportionally to the amount each person has contributed. Everstake's platform essentially functions as a large staking pool, allowing users to combine their staking power.

The calculation of staking rewards can depend on several factors including the network's inflation rate, the amount of the cryptocurrency being staked, and the total amount of that cryptocurrency staked in the network. Everstake provides a staking calculator that users can use to estimate potential rewards based on their staked amount.

The frequency of staking payments can vary greatly and depends on the rules of the specific blockchain. Some networks distribute rewards after every block, while others may do so daily, weekly, or even monthly. Everstake's platform is designed to provide users with timely and consistent payouts.

Whether staking is worth depends on several factors. These include the anticipated results, the stability and soundness of the chosen network, individual preferences for risk, and an understanding of the staking process and principles. With Everstake, users can maximize their potential results from staking, making it an attractive option for many crypto owners.