Decentralized staking

Staking TAO tokens lets you earn rewards by supporting the Bittensor network. In return, you receive a share of the staking rewards.

Source: Taostats

In the Bittensor (TAO) ecosystem, there are two main ways people can stake their tokens: Root staking and Alpha staking. These represent two different strategies, with different levels of risk and reward.

Root staking was the first method introduced when Bittensor launched. It allows users to lock up their TAO tokens in the core part of the network (now called Subnet 0) to earn steady, “predictable” rewards. It's straightforward and carries less risk, making it a good fit for early users or anyone who prefers a more passive, steady approach. In essence, this is the “traditional” form of token staking seen in many crypto projects. Rather than simply holding your tokens, you delegate them to validators who help run and secure the network on your behalf.

Source: Taostats.io

Later, on February 13, 2025, Alpha staking was introduced as part of a major network upgrade called Dynamic TAO (dTAO). This upgrade created subnet-specific tokens called Alpha tokens, which users receive when they stake TAO into subnets. If you’re not familiar with the concept of subnets and Bittensor infrastructure, please check out Bittensor project review. Alpha tokens can go up or down in value, but they also offer a chance for much higher rewards, especially in new or fast-growing subnets. It has more complex staking dynamics and comes with more risk, but also more opportunity if you're actively involved.

Source: Taostats.io

In both Root and Alpha staking, there’s no fixed lock-up period—you can stake or unstake your TAO tokens at any time. However, while your tokens are staked, they’re temporarily locked, which means you can’t trade or transfer them until you unstake.

In Root staking, staking rewards are simple and “stable”. However, the reward amount (APY) is slowly going down over time. It’s because the network is moving more rewards toward Alpha staking.

In Alpha staking, things work differently. You first change your TAO into special tokens called Alpha tokens, which are connected to subnets. When you hold Alpha tokens, your balance grows as and when the subnet earns daily rewards. The more TAO is staked into a subnet, the more rewards it gets. If you want to exit, you must convert your Alpha tokens back to TAO. This process can be affected by market prices and might give you less TAO back than you put in, depending on the timing. This method can earn you more than Root staking, but it depends on how well your chosen subnet performs and how much activity it gets.

With Root staking, your rewards are based on how well your validator performs in the network. In Alpha staking, you stake your TAO into a subnet, and your rewards depend on the overall performance of that subnet. Subnets that provide more value to the network receive more emissions, which increases your Alpha token balance.

Centralized staking

Centralized TAO staking, offered by platforms like Coinbase, is a simple and beginner-friendly option where the exchange handles the staking process for you. You earn a fixed reward rate of around 17.3% APY. While your tokens are temporarily locked during staking, there are no additional lock-up periods beyond what the network requires. The main trade-off between centralized and decentralized staking is convenience versus control.

Staking is a great way to put your TAO to work while contributing to the network's security. But, it's important to understand the terms before participating, as rewards and conditions may differ depending on the platform you choose.