---
url: 'https://docs.jpool.one/user-docs/strategies/native-staking.md'
description: >-
  Native Staking on JPool. Delegate SOL directly to a validator through the
  Solana protocol with no liquid token and minimal risk. Unstaking completes at
  the end of the current epoch.
---

# Native Staking

Native Staking is classic Solana staking. Your SOL is delegated directly to a validator through the Solana protocol, without going through the JPool stake pool or any additional smart contract layer. Because it does not use the pool, no JSOL is minted: your SOL sits in a standard Solana stake account and earns rewards there.

This is the simplest and lowest risk way to stake. The trade off is liquidity: your SOL is illiquid during the unstaking period, so it is best suited to stake you do not expect to move soon.

::: info
Want to keep your position liquid and usable in DeFi? Consider [Liquid Staking](./liquid-staking.md) instead, which mints JSOL.
:::

## How to stake

### Choose a validator

Choose a validator to delegate to. You can stake to JStaking, a JPool-run validator with competitive APY and high uptime, or to any other Solana validator.

### Delegate your SOL

Delegate your SOL directly to the chosen validator.

### Earn rewards each epoch

Earn staking rewards each epoch, credited directly to your stake account.

## How to unstake

Native Staking has no instant unstake option. Unstaking follows the standard Solana process: your stake account is deactivated and your SOL becomes available at the end of the current epoch (up to ~2 days, depending on how far into the epoch you deactivate). Plan accordingly, since the SOL stays illiquid during that period.

::: info
Very large deactivations may take more than one epoch to clear. Solana limits how much stake can leave the network each epoch (a per-epoch deactivation cooldown), so an unusually large unstake can roll into additional epochs before it fully unlocks.
:::

## Risks

* This is the simplest and lowest risk staking option. Your SOL is delegated directly via the Solana protocol with no additional smart contract layers.
* The main risk is validator performance. If your chosen validator goes offline or increases commission, your rewards may decrease.
* Your SOL is illiquid during the unstaking period, which runs until the end of the current epoch (up to ~2 days).

You can review your active native positions in your [Portfolio](https://app.jpool.one/portfolio).