January 21, 2026

How to Stake Polygon on the Official Staking Dashboard

Staking Polygon (MATIC) allows token holders to participate in network security while earning rewards. The official Polygon Staking Dashboard provides a straightforward interface to delegate MATIC to validators on the Polygon PoS network. This polygon staking guide explains staking polygon prerequisites, the step-by-step process, and key considerations such as validator selection, fees, rewards, and risks.

What You Need Before You Start

To stake Polygon using the official dashboard, prepare the following:

  • A compatible wallet: Most users connect with MetaMask, but WalletConnect-compatible wallets and other web3 wallets are supported.
  • MATIC on Ethereum mainnet: Polygon staking occurs on Ethereum for the PoS chain’s validator set. Ensure you have MATIC in your wallet on the Ethereum network, not just on Polygon PoS.
  • ETH for gas: Transactions such as approval and delegation require ETH to pay gas fees on Ethereum.
  • Access to the official dashboard: Use the official Polygon Staking Dashboard URL from trusted sources to avoid phishing.

If your MATIC is on Polygon PoS or an exchange, you may need to bridge or withdraw it to Ethereum mainnet before staking. Always confirm the network and token contract address.

Connecting Your Wallet

  • Open the Polygon Staking Dashboard in your browser.
  • Select Connect Wallet and choose your wallet provider (e.g., MetaMask).
  • Approve the connection request in your wallet. Confirm you are on Ethereum mainnet.

    • The dashboard will display your wallet address, available MATIC balance on Ethereum, and any existing delegations.

    Approving and Delegating MATIC

    Before delegating, you must grant the staking contract permission to use your MATIC:

  • Click Approve to authorize the staking contract.
  • Confirm the approval transaction in your wallet and wait for Ethereum confirmation.

    • Once approval is confirmed:

  • Choose Delegate or Stake on the dashboard.
  • Select a validator from the list.
  • Enter the amount of MATIC to stake, keeping a buffer of ETH for gas fees.
  • Confirm the delegation transaction in your wallet.

    • The dashboard will show your delegation as pending until the transaction is finalized. After confirmation, your MATIC becomes an active delegation to the chosen validator.

    Choosing a Validator

    Validator selection influences your experience with polygon staking. When reviewing validators:

    • Commission rate: The validator’s commission is taken from rewards before they are distributed to delegators. Lower commission can increase delegator rewards but should be weighed against reliability.
    • Performance and uptime: Validators with consistent uptime and low missed checkpoints help maintain stable polygon staking rewards.
    • Stake distribution: Extremely concentrated stake can increase centralization risk. Some users prefer validators with healthy but not dominant stake.
    • Track record and transparency: Consider communication channels, governance participation, and any history of slashing or downtime.

    The dashboard typically provides key metrics such as commission, total stake, and performance indicators to inform your choice.

    Understanding Rewards and Fees

    Polygon staking rewards are derived from network emissions and fees, distributed proportionally to delegators after validator commission. Key points:

    • Reward frequency: Rewards accrue over time and are claimable through the dashboard. The cadence can vary; check the dashboard for current details.
    • Variable yield: Polygon staking rewards are not fixed. They depend on network conditions, total staked supply, and validator performance.
    • Gas costs: Claiming rewards, restaking, or withdrawing involves Ethereum transactions, which incur gas fees. Weigh the amount of rewards against gas costs to determine claiming frequency.
    • Auto-compounding: The default system does not auto-compound. To compound, manually claim rewards and delegate them again.

    Managing Your Stake

    After delegating, you can take several actions from the dashboard:

    • Restake: Add more MATIC to the same validator.
    • Redelegate: Move your delegation to a different validator. Some staking systems require an unstake cooldown before redelegation; check the dashboard’s current rules.
    • Claim rewards: Trigger a transaction to claim accrued rewards to your wallet.
    • Unstake: Begin the withdrawal process for your staked MATIC.

    Unstaking on Polygon’s PoS involves a withdrawal and checkpointing process with a waiting period. This unbonding period can change; consult the dashboard for the current duration and exact steps for claiming back to your wallet after unbonding.

    Risks and Safeguards

    Staking polygon involves several risks:

    • Validator performance risk: Poor performance can reduce earned rewards.
    • Slashing risk: Severe validator misbehavior may lead to slashing of validator stake and potentially delegator stake, depending on protocol rules. Review current slashing policies on official resources.
    • Smart contract and network risk: Interactions occur on Ethereum mainnet, subject to contract security and network conditions.
    • Liquidity and timing: Unstaking requires a waiting period, during which your tokens are illiquid. Plan ahead for liquidity needs.
    • Phishing and impersonation: Only use the official staking polygon dashboard URL. Bookmark the official site, verify contract addresses, and avoid links from unverified sources.

    Costs and Gas Management

    Because staking actions occur on Ethereum, gas conditions can impact total cost:

    • Approval and delegation each require a transaction.
    • Claiming rewards and restaking also incur gas.
    • Unstaking and final withdrawals involve additional steps.

    Consider batching actions (for example, claiming and restaking together) when gas is reasonable. Keep a small ETH buffer in your wallet to avoid stalled transactions.

    Tracking Your Delegation

    The dashboard provides an overview of:

    • Total delegated MATIC
    • Pending and claimable rewards
    • Validator status and commission
    • Transaction history

    You can also monitor addresses and contracts via Ethereum block explorers to verify on-chain events. If you change validators or adjust stake, confirm updates after confirmations appear.

    Notes on Using MATIC Across Networks

    MATIC exists on multiple networks. For polygon staking, you need MATIC on Ethereum mainnet. If your tokens are on Polygon PoS or another chain:

    • Use the official bridge or a reputable bridge to move MATIC to Ethereum.
    • Be aware of bridge fees, settlement times, and potential delays.
    • Verify token contract addresses after bridging to ensure you hold canonical MATIC on Ethereum.

    By following these steps and considerations, you can stake polygon using the official dashboard, participate in network security, and manage your position with informed expectations about rewards, fees, and timing.

    About Gertrude Johnston
    I am a passionate strategist with a full achievements in strategy. My commitment to disruptive ideas drives my desire to nurture groundbreaking organizations. In my professional career, I have established a identity as being a strategic risk-taker. Aside from nurturing my own businesses, I also enjoy coaching driven disruptors. I believe in encouraging the next generation of problem-solvers to fulfill their own aspirations. I am constantly seeking out progressive projects and joining forces with complementary strategists. Upending expectations is my obsession. Outside of dedicated to my venture, I enjoy experiencing unusual destinations. I am also committed to making a difference.