This is a period when it is not clear whether the bull market is over or just beginning. Such doubts create uncertainty among traders, and they are looking for ways to invest safely. Investors are ready to earn less, but with minimal risks. Today we will look at three instruments that fit into this strategy.
Staking
Staking in cryptocurrency is like earning interest in a bank account, but with some key differences.
When you stake your crypto, you're essentially putting it in a special wallet and saying, "I'm not going to spend this for a while." In return for doing this, the blockchain network uses your staked crypto to help validate transactions and maintain the network's security and integrity.
By participating in this process, you get rewarded, similar to how a bank pays interest. The rewards come from the network and are paid out in the same type of cryptocurrency you're staking. The more you stake, the higher your chances of earning rewards, as the network might see you as a more valuable participant.
Staking is available in the Ethereum network and many other PoS-based blockchains.
However, staking isn't without risks. The value of your staked crypto can go up or down, just like any other investment in the crypto market. Also, there's a lock-up period during which you can't use or trade your staked crypto.
Some people who don't have enough crypto to stake on their own, or who don't want the hassle of managing it, join staking pools. These pools allow a group of people to combine their crypto, increasing their chances of earning rewards.
So, staking is a way to potentially earn passive income with your crypto by helping to secure a blockchain network, with the added bonus of contributing to the network's health and efficiency.
Yield Farming
This concept is a bit more complex than staking. It's often associated with the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector.
Here's how it works. In yield farming, you lend or stake your crypto assets into a liquidity pool. These pools are essentially smart contracts that contain funds. By providing your assets to these pools, you're helping to facilitate trading and lending on the platform. In return for your contribution, you earn fees or interest. These returns are usually much higher than traditional staking.
Yield farming is available on most decentralized exchanges, for example, on PancakeSwap.
The rewards can come in various forms, including the same type of cryptocurrency you're providing or a different type of token. Sometimes, these rewards can even be DAO tokens.
Yield farming often involves moving your assets around between different liquidity pools to chase the highest yields. This can be automated through smart contracts or done manually.
However, yield farming also has its risks, and it is considered even more risky than staking. The value of the rewards can fluctuate wildly. There's also the risk of impermanent loss, which happens when the price of your deposited assets changes compared to when you deposited them. Moreover, the complexity and novelty of yield farming mean there's a higher risk of smart contract bugs or vulnerabilities.
So, while yield farming can be lucrative, it requires a good understanding of the DeFi space, active management, and a high tolerance for risk. It's more suited for those who are well-versed in the crypto world and are willing to take on these risks for potentially higher rewards.
WinFlex
WinFlex is a financial product from DarWin that's designed for those seeking minimal risk in their investments. This is kind of a hybrid between a savings account and an investment tool, tailored for safety and simplicity.
You start by depositing a minimum of $1000. This initial deposit sets you up for an investment cycle that runs from Sunday to Sunday, lasting a minimum of one week.
During this cycle, your investment earns a weekly income of 1%. This return rate is stable, making it a predictable form of earning.
Learn more about WinFlex and other DarWin products here.
An appealing aspect of WinFlex is its liquidity. Even though your funds are invested, they remain accessible (unlike staking and farming). You can decide to use or withdraw them at any time.
Interest starts accruing with each new cycle post your deposit. The deposit amount gets updated weekly, allowing for compound growth. For example, if you deposit $1000 initially, you earn 1% on that the following week. If you add another $1000 after a week, the next cycle's interest accrues on the total $2000.
To sum up
- Staking: reliable, but not very profitable.
- Farming: profitable, but risky.
- WinFlex: low risks, bringing 1% a week.
Choose your perfect tool or diversify.