{"id":1767,"date":"2026-05-03T11:17:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T11:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kanzlei-dv.de\/?p=1767"},"modified":"2026-06-09T16:06:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T16:06:29","slug":"etherium-staken-by-clicking-on-metamask","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kanzlei-dv.de\/en\/publikationen\/etherium-staken-per-klick-auf-metamask\/","title":{"rendered":"Ethereum Staking with MetaMask: Background and Risks"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In practice, users of wallet application interfaces regularly encounter yield displays that make it possible to earn an annual return<\/strong> on crypto assets they already hold.<\/p>

In MetaMask<\/strong>[1]<\/a>, this function is not expressly referred to as \u201cstaking\u201d. Instead, users access an option via the \u201cEarn\u201d or \u201cVerdienen\u201d<\/strong> section, where an expected yield is displayed, for example for Ethereum. As of April 2026, this display is approximately 1.7% per year (APR)<\/strong>.<\/p>

What appears at first glance to be a classic form of interest raises fundamental questions on closer examination: How does staking work, and how secure is it?<\/strong><\/p>

To understand where the returns come from, a brief look at how the network works is necessary. For an open, decentralized network to function, its participants must agree on a uniform transaction history<\/strong>. This process of agreement is referred to as consensus. Two of the best-known mechanisms for establishing this consensus are \u201cProof of Work\u201d (PoW) and \u201cProof of Stake\u201d (PoS).<\/p>

For the sake of simplicity, the following explanations refer to the cryptocurrency Ethereum<\/strong>. Since 15 September 2022, the Ethereum network has been based on the Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism.<\/p>

Participation in consensus under PoS requires participants to deposit native protocol tokens as a stake. In the Ethereum protocol, 32 ETH<\/strong> are required to activate a validator. At the exchange rate on 21 April 2026<\/strong>, with Ethereum trading at approximately USD 2,305 per ETH<\/strong>, 32 ETH correspond to around USD 73,760 or approximately EUR 67,000<\/strong>.<\/p>

A random mechanism then selects an active validator who bundles transactions into a block and proposes it, while the other validators review it and, by confirming it, add it to the blockchain. They receive remuneration for this.<\/p>

Staking therefore refers to providing ETH in order to participate, either directly or indirectly, in the network\u2019s validation process and to receive rewards for doing so (staking rewards)<\/strong>.<\/p>

Staking is therefore not only a way of generating returns, but also a fundamental component of how the network functions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t


Staking in Practice: Pool Staking with MetaMask<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

If a user decides to click \u201cEarn\u201d in the MetaMask app, the ETH deposited by the user is integrated into pool structures<\/strong>. In the transaction history, this action is displayed as a \u201csmart contract interaction\u201d<\/strong>. Smart contracts are contractual terms written in code and stored on the blockchain, which are executed automatically once predefined conditions (such as the receipt of payment) are met.[2]<\/a><\/p>

If this transaction is tracked on Etherscan<\/strong>, the address of the corresponding smart contract can be viewed and it is possible to trace into which pool the user has deposited their ETH. This contract bundles the deposits of various participants and makes them available for the activation of validators<\/strong> once sufficient amounts have accumulated.<\/p>

The actual participation in the network therefore takes place indirectly through this aggregated structure. The returns generated by the validators are subsequently distributed proportionately among the pool participants.<\/p>

In this context, MetaMask merely serves as a technical interface and enables the user to sign transactions and interact with smart contracts. The actual staking process is carried out through systems operating in the background.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\u00a0<\/p>

Risks of Staking on MetaMask<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

MetaMask includes the following disclaimer on its website in connection with staking:<\/p>

\u201cUsing MetaMask Staking involves risks that you should understand before using the offering. We are not required to provide the following information, but we do so in order to encourage you to inform yourself about both the general risks of protocol staking and the specific risks of this offering.<\/em><\/p>

You must assess for yourself whether participation in protocol staking is appropriate for you in light of these risks and be aware that you alone bear responsibility for any losses, regardless of how they arise.\u201d [3]<\/a><\/em>

According to MetaMask, the following technical risks<\/strong> may occur and may result in the loss of staking rewards:<\/p>