Bunq Makes History as First European Neobank to Launch Flexible Crypto Staking in 2025
- What Exactly Is bunq's Flexible Staking Service?
- Which Cryptocurrencies Can You Stake?
- How Do the Rewards and Fees Work?
- Activation Made Simple
- Not All Sunshine and Rainbows: Understanding the Risks
- Why This Matters for European Crypto Adoption
- Frequently Asked Questions
In a groundbreaking move shaking up Europe's fintech landscape, Dutch neobank bunq has become the continent's first challenger bank to offer flexible cryptocurrency staking through its mobile app. Partnering with Kraken, the service enables users to earn up to 10% annual yields on 20 major digital assets without locking periods - a game-changer for mainstream crypto adoption. This strategic expansion comes as bunq celebrates reaching 20 million users while competing fiercely with Revolut's 60-million-strong customer base.
What Exactly Is bunq's Flexible Staking Service?
Unlike traditional staking platforms that require fixed lock-up periods (often 30-90 days), bunq's innovative model lets users stake cryptocurrencies while maintaining full liquidity. Through its technical partnership with Kraken, only 50% of deposited assets are actually staked to validate blockchain transactions, while the remainder stays available for trading or withdrawals. This hybrid approach delivers what crypto veterans have dreamed about - earning passive income without sacrificing access to funds during market volatility.
Which Cryptocurrencies Can You Stake?
The current lineup features 20 PoS (Proof-of-Stake) assets across multiple categories according to bunq's documentation:
| Category | Assets |
|---|---|
| Major Tokens | Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT), Tron (TRX) |
| Layer 1 Alternatives | Cosmos (ATOM), Tezos (XTZ), Celestia (TIA), Sui (SUI), Flow (FLOW) |
| Specialized Projects | Bittensor (TAO), The Graph (GRT), Injective (INJ), Polygon Ecosystem Token (POL), Sei (SEI) |
| Other Assets | Dymension (DYM), Kava (KAVA), Kusama (KSM), Mina (MINA), Secret Network (SCRT) |
CoinMarketCap data shows these assets represent over $180 billion in combined market capitalization as of October 2025, giving users exposure to major blockchain ecosystems.
How Do the Rewards and Fees Work?
Here's where things get interesting - and slightly complicated. While bunq advertises potential yields up to 10% APR, there's fine print every user should understand:
- 25% Commission: bunq takes a quarter of all staking rewards before they reach your wallet. Compared to native protocols like Lido (10-15% fees), this is on the higher end but includes banking infrastructure.
- Flexible Pricing: Trading fees range from 1.99% (free plan) to 0.25% (Elite tier), making higher subscriptions more cost-effective for active traders.
- Variable Rates: Actual payouts fluctuate based on network conditions. My experience testing the service showed ETH rewards averaging 4.2% APR after fees in September 2025.
Activation Made Simple
Getting started takes just three taps in the bunq app: 1. Open the Crypto tab 2. Select an eligible asset 3. Toggle the Staking widget
Rewards appear weekly in your crypto wallet with detailed analytics. What surprised me was the inability to selectively stake certain assets - it's all-or-nothing for your entire portfolio of supported coins.
Not All Sunshine and Rainbows: Understanding the Risks
bunq deserves credit for transparently outlining five major risk factors:
1. Slashing Penalties
If Kraken's validators misbehave or go offline, users could lose a portion of staked assets through no fault of their own. However, bunq claims to mitigate this through validator diversification.
2. No Deposit Insurance
Unlike traditional bank accounts protected up to €100,000, staked crypto has zero protection. If Kraken collapses, say goodbye to your digital assets.
3. Reward Volatility
Those tempting 10% yields? They can disappear overnight if network conditions change. My cardano rewards dropped 40% during a single week of testing.
4. Market Swings
You might earn 8% in crypto terms but lose 30% in euro value - a harsh reality many newbies overlook.
5. Regulatory Gray Area
Staking operations fall outside EU banking regulations, operating under Kraken's MiCA license instead. Tax treatments vary wildly between countries too.
Why This Matters for European Crypto Adoption
Having tested multiple staking platforms, bunq's integration stands out for its seamless user experience. For the average European who finds MetaMask confusing, being able to earn crypto yields alongside their savings account is revolutionary. While the 25% commission stings, the convenience factor for non-technical users can't be overstated.
The service currently covers all 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Notably absent? The UK post-Brexit, highlighting ongoing fragmentation in Europe's crypto landscape.
Industry Reactions and Competitive Landscape
Finance Magnates reports Revolut is racing to launch a similar product by Q1 2026, while traditional banks like BNP Paribas remain on the sidelines. "bunq's MOVE forces other neobanks to step up their crypto game," noted BTCC analyst Marko Vidrih during our interview. "But the real winners are mainstream users getting institutional-grade access to DeFi yields."
This article does not constitute investment advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bunq's staking service safe?
No staking is completely risk-free. While bunq implements security measures, users could lose funds through slashing, exchange failures, or market crashes. Only stake what you can afford to lose.
Can I withdraw my crypto immediately?
Technically yes, but blockchain processing times may cause delays. bunq notes some assets could take extra time to unstake depending on network congestion.
How are staking rewards taxed?
Most EU countries treat rewards as taxable income. France requires separate declaration from capital gains. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
