The world of cryptocurrency is constantly evolving, and for many investors, the pursuit of passive income is a key driver. Solana, known for its high throughput and low transaction costs, has emerged as a powerhouse in the staking landscape. Now, a significant player in the Web3 space, MoonPay, is making waves with a new Solana staking product that promises an impressive 8.49% annual yield. This move is set to shake up the competitive arena, directly challenging established Solana-native platforms like Marinade and Jito, and offering a compelling new option for those looking to maximize their SOL yield.
MoonPay’s Bold Move: A Closer Look at Their Generous SOL Yield Product
MoonPay, a fintech firm renowned for its crypto payment solutions and Web3 infrastructure, has officially launched its liquid staking product for Solana (SOL) holders. This new offering, available from July 23, 2025, allows users to stake as little as $1 and begin earning rewards. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Competitive Yield: An attractive annual yield of 8.49% on staked tokens, positioning it favorably against many traditional investment options and even some crypto counterparts.
- Liquid Staking Token (mpSOL): Users receive mpSOL, a liquid staking token, upon staking. This token represents their staked SOL plus accrued rewards, allowing for flexibility and potential use in other DeFi protocols.
- Flexible Rewards: Rewards are distributed frequently, every two days, providing consistent returns.
- No Lockup Periods: A significant advantage, users can unstake their tokens at any time without being subject to lengthy lockup periods often associated with staking.
- Accessibility: The low minimum stake of $1 makes it accessible to a wide range of investors, from retail participants to larger holders.
It’s important to note that the service is currently unavailable in New York and the European Economic Area, likely due to regulatory considerations. Ivan Soto-Wright, CEO and co-founder of MoonPay, highlighted the product’s design, stating, “We’ve built a product that mirrors the ease and familiarity of a traditional savings account, but with the earning potential of blockchain networks behind it.” This statement underscores MoonPay’s strategy to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the burgeoning Web3 economy.
Challenging the Titans: How MoonPay Compares in Liquid Staking
MoonPay’s entry immediately positions it as a formidable competitor to existing Solana-native liquid staking platforms such as Marinade and Jito. These platforms have long dominated the Solana liquid staking landscape, offering similar yields and liquidity options. So, what sets MoonPay apart, and how might this new competition benefit users?
The core concept of liquid staking is to provide the benefits of staking (earning yield) while maintaining the liquidity of your assets. Instead of locking up your SOL, you receive a derivative token (like mpSOL, mSOL from Marinade, or JitoSOL from Jito) that can be used in other DeFi applications, enhancing capital efficiency. While Marinade and Jito are deeply integrated within the Solana DeFi ecosystem, MoonPay brings a different kind of strength:
- Fiat On-Ramps: MoonPay’s established presence as a fiat-to-crypto gateway means a potentially smoother onboarding experience for new users directly from traditional finance.
- User Experience: With a focus on mirroring traditional savings accounts, MoonPay aims for unparalleled simplicity, which could attract a broader audience less familiar with complex DeFi interfaces.
- Brand Recognition: MoonPay has a strong brand presence in the wider crypto and Web3 space, which could instill confidence in users.
The increased competition is generally a positive for consumers, potentially driving innovation, better yields, and improved user experiences across all platforms.
Why is Solana Staking Exploding? Market Trends and Institutional Interest
MoonPay’s expansion into staking aligns perfectly with broader market trends indicating a surging interest in Solana staking. The Solana ecosystem has witnessed remarkable growth, cementing its position as a leading blockchain for decentralized applications and financial services. Consider these compelling statistics:
- Surpassing Ethereum in TVS: In April 2025, Solana briefly overtook Ethereum in total value staked (TVS), reaching an impressive $53.9 billion compared to Ethereum’s $53.7 billion, according to data from Solana Compass and BeaconScan. This highlights Solana’s increasing prominence and the confidence investors place in its network.
- Superior Yields: Solana’s staking yield of 8.3% significantly outpaces Ethereum’s 3.2%, making it a more attractive option for yield-seeking investors.
- Solana Staking ETF: The launch of the first Solana staking ETF on July 2, 2025, was a landmark event. This fund quickly exceeded $100 million in volume within its first twelve trading sessions, indicating robust demand, particularly from registered investment advisors.
- Growing Institutional Exposure:
- Nasdaq-listed DeFi Development Corp recently purchased 141,383 SOL, bringing its total holdings to 999,999 SOL.
- Upexi, a Solana treasury company, acquired 83,000 SOL for $16.7 million, increasing its total holdings to 1.9 million tokens.
- Even mainstream platforms like Robinhood have announced the introduction of ETH and SOL staking for U.S. customers, signaling broader institutional and retail adoption.
These developments collectively underscore the growing appeal and maturation of the Solana ecosystem, making it a fertile ground for new staking products.
MoonPay’s Strategic Evolution: Beyond Crypto Payments
MoonPay’s entry into the on-chain yield space is not just about launching a new product; it’s a clear signal of its strategic evolution. Since its launch in 2019, MoonPay has been primarily known as a seamless fiat-to-crypto gateway, simplifying the process for users to buy cryptocurrencies with traditional money. However, the company has been steadily transforming into a diversified Web3 infrastructure provider.
This expansion includes ventures into NFTs, stablecoins, and now, staking services. This strategic pivot reflects a broader industry trend where foundational crypto companies are broadening their offerings to become comprehensive Web3 platforms. By offering staking, MoonPay aims to capture a larger share of the value chain within the Web3 ecosystem, moving beyond just facilitating crypto payments to enabling users to actively participate and earn within decentralized networks.
The timing of this Solana offering is also crucial, coinciding with a surge in demand for blockchain-based returns. As investors seek alternatives to low traditional yields and navigate complex regulatory uncertainties, the appeal of accessible, high-yield crypto opportunities like MoonPay’s new Solana staking product becomes even more pronounced.
The Competitive Edge: What Differentiates MoonPay’s Offering?
The competitive landscape for Solana staking remains dynamic. While native platforms like Marinade and Jito have a strong foothold, MoonPay’s approach brings distinct advantages that could attract a new segment of retail and institutional investors:
- Integration with Fiat On-Ramps: For many, the ability to move seamlessly from fiat currency to a staking product within the same ecosystem can significantly lower the barrier to entry.
- User-Friendly Design: MoonPay’s emphasis on a ‘traditional savings account’ feel suggests a highly intuitive interface, appealing to users who might be intimidated by more complex DeFi protocols.
- Accessibility and Flexibility: The absence of lockup periods and the ability to stake small amounts ($1 minimum) truly democratize access to on-chain yield, making it available to a broader audience than ever before.
These differentiating factors could enable MoonPay to carve out a significant niche, attracting users who prioritize simplicity, accessibility, and a familiar user experience, even if they are new to the world of decentralized finance.
What This Means for You: Actionable Insights for Solana Holders
For existing and prospective Solana holders, MoonPay’s new liquid staking product presents an exciting opportunity. If you’re holding SOL, consider the following:
- Evaluate Your Options: Compare MoonPay’s 8.49% SOL yield with other platforms like Marinade and Jito. While yields might be similar, consider the user experience, liquidity of the liquid staking token, and overall trust in the platform.
- Ease of Access: If you’re new to staking or prefer a more streamlined experience, MoonPay’s fiat on-ramp integration and user-friendly design could be a significant advantage.
- Understand Liquid Staking: Remember that while liquid staking offers flexibility, the value of your mpSOL token can fluctuate with the price of SOL.
- Geographic Restrictions: Be aware of the regional restrictions (e.g., New York and EEA) before attempting to use the service.
This new offering expands the choices available to Solana enthusiasts, fostering a healthier and more competitive staking environment.
Conclusion
MoonPay’s launch of an 8.49% Solana staking product marks a pivotal moment in the liquid staking landscape. By combining a competitive yield with user-friendly features and its robust fiat-to-crypto infrastructure, MoonPay is not just entering the market; it’s poised to redefine accessibility and competition. This development underscores the growing maturity of the Solana ecosystem and its increasing appeal to both retail and institutional investors seeking attractive, flexible, and reliable avenues for passive income. As the competition heats up, Solana holders stand to benefit from more choices and potentially better services in the quest for optimized SOL yield.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is MoonPay’s new Solana staking product?
MoonPay has launched a liquid staking service for Solana (SOL) holders, offering an annual yield of 8.49%. Users can stake as little as $1, receive a liquid staking token called mpSOL, and unstake at any time without lockup periods. Rewards are distributed every two days.
2. How does MoonPay’s offering compare to Marinade and Jito?
MoonPay’s product offers a competitive yield similar to Marinade and Jito, which are established Solana-native liquid staking platforms. MoonPay differentiates itself through its strong fiat on-ramp integration, focus on a traditional savings account-like user experience, and broad brand recognition, potentially attracting a wider range of users.
3. What are the benefits of liquid staking Solana (SOL)?
Liquid staking allows you to earn staking rewards while maintaining liquidity. Instead of locking up your SOL, you receive a derivative token (like mpSOL) that can be used in other DeFi applications or traded, providing flexibility and capital efficiency.
4. Are there any restrictions on MoonPay’s Solana staking service?
Yes, the service is currently unavailable to users in New York and the European Economic Area (EEA) due to regulatory considerations.
5. Why is Solana staking gaining so much popularity?
Solana staking is popular due to its high yields (outpacing Ethereum), significant institutional interest (evidenced by ETF launches and major corporate SOL purchases), and the network’s overall growth in total value staked, making it an attractive option for passive income generation.
6. How does MoonPay’s new product fit into its broader strategy?
MoonPay’s Solana staking offering aligns with its evolution from a primary fiat-to-crypto gateway to a diversified Web3 infrastructure provider. It expands their services beyond crypto payments to include NFTs, stablecoins, and now staking, aiming to offer a more comprehensive suite of Web3 solutions.
