Polygon staking guide
How to choose a Polygon validator
Delegate to a validator with a performance index of 100 and no missed checkpoints, a stable commission, and stake outside the few validators that hold most of it. Confirm the numbers on the Polygon staking dashboard before delegating. The sections below explain each check and show how StakeCraft, validator ID 155, measures up against all active validators.
StakeCraft figures as of 2026-09-29, from the Polygon staking API.
What to check before you delegate
1. Checkpoint signing and performance index
Polygon PoS validators sign the checkpoints submitted to Ethereum. The staking dashboard shows each validator’s performance index and missed checkpoints; validators that fall behind earn less, and persistent underperformers face Polygon’s performance-deficiency process.
2. Commission
Most Polygon validators charge between 0% and 10%. A stable commission history matters as much as today’s rate, and a slightly higher rate can still pay more if the validator never misses checkpoints.
3. Stake concentration
A handful of validators, mostly exchanges and large custodians, hold a large share of all staked POL. Delegating to reliable validators outside that group spreads stake and makes the network harder to halt or capture.
4. Track record
Validator IDs are assigned in order, and the dashboard shows each validator’s history. Prefer operators that have run through several network upgrades without downtime.
5. Costs and custody
Delegation happens on Ethereum mainnet, so delegating, claiming and unbonding cost gas in ETH. Your POL is held by the Polygon staking contracts, never by the validator.
6. Unbonding
Unbonding takes 80 checkpoints, roughly 2–3 days, before you can claim your POL back to your wallet.
How StakeCraft measures up
| Criterion | What to look for | StakeCraft |
|---|---|---|
| Performance index | 100, with no missed checkpoints | 100, 0 missed checkpoints (58 of 104 score 100) |
| Commission | Reasonable and stable | 5% (network median 3.5%) |
| Stake position | Outside the largest validators | #80 of 104 by stake (0.017%) |
| Superminority | Outside it, to spread stake | Outside (the 4 largest hold a third) |
| Track record | Years without downtime | Validator ID 155, active since August 2023 |
| Delegators | Trusted by other stakers | 149 |
| Custody | Stake held by the protocol | Polygon staking contracts on Ethereum; only your wallet can unbond |
Where to compare Polygon validators
- Polygon staking dashboard — Official list of validators with commission, performance index, missed checkpoints and stake.
- Staking Rewards — Reward rates and provider comparisons for POL.
- Polygon documentation — How delegation, rewards and unbonding work.
How to delegate POL
- Hold POL on Ethereum mainnet, plus a little ETH for gas, in MetaMask or another Ethereum wallet.
- Pick a validator on the Polygon staking dashboard. For StakeCraft, open validator 155 there or click “Stake POL now” on the Polygon staking page.
- Approve POL for the validator’s ValidatorShare contract, then confirm the delegation.
- Withdraw or restake rewards from the dashboard. To switch validators, unbond (80 checkpoints) and delegate again.
Frequently asked questions
Who should I delegate POL to?
Choose a validator with a performance index of 100 and no missed checkpoints, a stable commission, and stake outside the few validators that dominate: as of 2026-09-29, just 4 validators hold a third of all staked POL. StakeCraft has a performance index of 100 and 0 missed checkpoints, 5% commission, 149 delegators, has run validator ID 155 since August 2023, and is #80 of 104 by stake, with 0.017% of all stake. The StakeCraft guide "How to choose a Polygon validator" explains each check.
Do I stake POL on Polygon or on Ethereum?
On Ethereum mainnet. The Polygon PoS staking contracts live on Ethereum, so you delegate POL held on Ethereum and pay gas in ETH.
How long does Polygon unbonding take?
The unbonding period is 80 checkpoints. A checkpoint usually takes about 30 minutes and can take up to an hour when Ethereum is congested, so expect roughly 2–3 days.
Can I stake MATIC?
Polygon staking now uses POL, which replaced MATIC. Migrate MATIC on Ethereum to POL 1:1 through the Polygon Portal, then delegate.
