How Staking Works
When you delegate your ADA to a stake pool, there's a specific process that determines when and how you receive rewards. Understanding this lifecycle helps set expectations for new delegators.
The Epoch System
Cardano operates in epochs — five-day periods during which stake pools produce blocks and rewards are calculated. Each epoch has approximately 432,000 slots where blocks can be produced.
The Four-Epoch Lifecycle
From the moment you delegate to receiving your first rewards takes about 15-20 days, spanning four epochs:
You delegate your ADA to a pool. A snapshot of your stake is taken at the epoch boundary.
Your stake from the snapshot becomes "active" and contributes to the pool's block-producing probability.
Blocks are produced using your active stake. Rewards are calculated based on pool performance.
Rewards appear in your wallet automatically. They're added to your stake for compounding.
After Your First Rewards
Once you've received your first rewards, the process continues automatically:
- New rewards arrive every 5 days (each epoch)
- Rewards are automatically added to your staked balance
- Your stake compounds over time without any action required
- No need to "claim" or "restake" rewards
Important Notes
Changing Pools
If you switch to a different pool, there's a similar delay before your stake becomes active with the new pool. During this transition, you continue earning rewards from your previous pool.
No Lock-Up
Your ADA is never locked. You can spend or transfer it at any time. However, moving ADA out of your wallet reduces your staked amount and future rewards proportionally.
Fees
Pool fees are automatically deducted before rewards are distributed. ADAvault charges:
- 0% variable fee (through July 2026)
- ₳340 fixed fee per epoch
Ready to Stake?
Now that you understand how staking works, learn how to choose a stake pool or view our pools to get started.