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USDT Staking:
Best Ways to Stake Tether

|
Jan 19, 2026
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Earning a yield on USDT allows you to generate passive income by depositing the stablecoin into an account or protocol. Unlike traditional crypto staking that supports a blockchain's operations, earning with USDT is similar to lending or placing funds in a high-yield savings account. Numerous centralized and decentralized platforms provide opportunities to earn interest on USDT, and this guide explores some of the top options available.

Earning Interest on USDT with Centralized Exchanges (CEX)

Because Tether (USDT) is not a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) cryptocurrency, it cannot be staked in the traditional sense. Instead, centralized platforms allow you to earn interest by lending your USDT or depositing it into savings products managed by the exchange. These options are typically user-friendly.

Binance

As one of the world's largest crypto exchanges, Binance offers several ways to earn passive income on USDT through its 'Simple Earn' program. It provides flexible and locked savings options with variable Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) that fluctuate with market conditions. The platform also includes an auto-subscribe feature, which automatically allocates idle assets to savings products to maximize returns.

KuCoin

KuCoin's 'Earn' platform features multiple products for generating yield on USDT. Users can select from flexible savings, fixed-term deposits, and special promotional offers. The platform provides a diverse portfolio of interest-bearing options, including products for other cryptocurrencies, allowing for effective asset management.

Gate.io

Gate.io is another versatile exchange offering structured financial products for USDT holders. Through its 'Lend & Earn' feature, users can access a range of savings plans with different terms and interest rates. These products offer various risk-reward profiles, enabling investors to choose plans that align with their financial goals and risk tolerance.

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Earning Yield with USDT on Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Protocols

For users comfortable with self-custody, DeFi protocols offer a non-custodial way to earn yield on USDT. This approach is similar to a savings account, where you deposit funds into a liquidity pool managed by a smart contract. These protocols often provide higher potential returns but come with added complexity and risks, such as smart contract vulnerabilities.

OKX DeFi

The OKX DeFi hub functions as a decentralized liquidity aggregator, connecting users to various lending protocols across multiple blockchains like Ethereum, Solana, and BNB Chain. By connecting a Web3 wallet, users can access aggregated pools from platforms like Aave, Compound, and Venus. While this can offer high and variable APRs based on market demand, it is important to remember that higher yields often correspond to higher risks.

Venus Protocol

Venus is an algorithmic money market protocol on the BNB Chain that facilitates decentralized lending and borrowing of BEP-20 tokens, including USDT. Users can supply their USDT to the protocol to earn interest paid by borrowers. The rates are determined algorithmically based on supply and demand within the platform, offering a transparent and permissionless way to earn yield.

Conclusion

Earning yield on USDT is an effective strategy for generating income from idle assets while avoiding the price volatility of other cryptocurrencies. Investors can use the user-friendly interfaces of centralized exchanges or tap into the higher-yield potential of DeFi protocols to put their stablecoins to work. Regardless of the method, it is crucial to understand and assess the risks of each platform before committing funds.

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Frequently asked questions

  • What is USDT 'staking'?

    Since USDT is a stablecoin and not a Proof-of-Stake asset, 'staking' refers to lending your USDT or depositing it into interest-bearing accounts on centralized or decentralized platforms to earn passive income.

  • Where can I earn interest on USDT?

    You can earn interest on USDT through centralized exchanges (CEX) like Binance, KuCoin, and Gate.io, which offer savings and lending products. Alternatively, you can use decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols like Aave, Compound, or Venus by connecting a personal Web3 wallet.

  • Is earning interest on USDT risk-free?

    No. While USDT's price is stable, other risks exist. On CEX platforms, there is counterparty risk (the exchange failing). On DeFi platforms, risks include smart contract bugs and protocol vulnerabilities. There is also a market risk that USDT could lose its peg to the US dollar. Always do your own research.

  • What is the difference between earning on a CEX versus a DeFi platform?

    Centralized exchanges (CEX) are custodial, meaning they hold your funds, but are generally more user-friendly. DeFi platforms are non-custodial, giving you full control over your assets via a personal wallet, but they require more technical knowledge and involve smart contract risks.

  • What are typical interest rates for USDT?

    Interest rates, or APRs, are dynamic and depend on the platform and market demand. Rates on CEX platforms typically range from 2% to 10%. DeFi protocols can offer higher but more variable yields that may exceed 20%, though this comes with increased risk.

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