How to Stake Gram (ex TON) and Earn Rewards
Last Updated: June 17, 2026
Gram (ex TON) is the native asset of The Open Network, a fast and scalable Layer-1 blockchain originally developed by Telegram engineers. Beyond being used for transaction fees and governance, Gram can be staked to earn passive rewards through the network's proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. Whether you hold a small amount or a significant position, understanding how staking works — and which method suits your situation — is essential before committing funds. If you also trade Gram on a crypto exchange or use spot trading to build your position, staking is a natural next step to put idle holdings to work.
How Gram Staking Works
The TON blockchain secures itself through validators — nodes that produce and verify blocks. Validators must lock up a large quantity of Gram as collateral, which makes running your own node inaccessible for most holders. To solve this, the protocol supports nominator pools: smart contracts that aggregate Gram from multiple contributors and delegate the combined stake to a validator. Rewards earned by the validator are split proportionally among all nominators, minus a small pool fee.
Each validation cycle (epoch) lasts roughly 18 hours. At the end of each epoch, rewards are distributed automatically by the smart contract. The process is non-custodial — the pool contract holds the funds, not the validator operator — which limits counterparty risk compared to centralized staking services.
Staking Options Compared
Choosing the right staking method depends on your Gram balance, your need for liquidity, and your risk tolerance. The table below summarizes the main approaches available in 2026.
| Method | Minimum Stake | Liquidity | Estimated APY | Custody |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Own Validator Node | ~300,000 Gram | Locked per epoch | ~5–6% | Self |
| Nominator Pool (official) | 1 Gram | Locked per epoch | ~3–5% | Smart contract |
| Liquid Staking (e.g., Tonstakers) | 1 Gram | Tradeable token (tsTON) | ~3–5% | Smart contract |
| Centralized Exchange Staking | Varies | Platform dependent | ~2–4% | Custodial |
Nominator pools offer the best balance of accessibility and decentralization for most users. Liquid staking adds flexibility by issuing a derivative token (such as tsTON) that represents your staked position and can be traded or used in DeFi while your underlying Gram remains staked. Centralized exchange staking is the simplest option but introduces platform custody risk.
Step-by-Step: Staking Gram via a Nominator Pool
The most straightforward path for independent users is joining an official nominator pool through a Gram-compatible wallet such as Tonkeeper or MyTonWallet. Here is the typical process:
- Set up a TON wallet. Download Tonkeeper or MyTonWallet and create a new wallet. Back up your seed phrase securely — this is the only way to recover your funds.
- Acquire Gram. Purchase Gram on a reputable exchange and withdraw to your wallet address. Confirm the network fee before sending.
- Navigate to the staking section. Both Tonkeeper and MyTonWallet have built-in staking interfaces. Select "Staking" or "Earn" from the main menu.
- Choose a pool. Review available pools by their validator uptime, fee percentage, and minimum deposit. Lower fees mean a higher share of rewards for nominators.
- Enter the amount and confirm. Specify how much Gram to stake and approve the transaction. Your Gram is transferred to the pool smart contract.
- Monitor rewards. After the current epoch ends, rewards will accumulate in the pool and be credited to your share. You can view earned rewards inside the wallet's staking dashboard.
- Withdraw when ready. Submit a withdrawal request. The contract will release your principal plus accrued rewards at the end of the next epoch.
Trading and Accessing Gram on EVEDEX
EVEDEX is a hybrid exchange for leverage trading and crypto futures: orders match off-chain, settlement runs on-chain on Arbitrum, and the GRAM-USD perpetual is one of its 52 markets. For traders who want exposure to Gram price moves without locking funds in a staking contract, that contract is the tool — EVEDEX itself offers no staking.
Staking and trading are complementary strategies: you might stake a portion of your Gram holdings for steady yield while keeping a separate allocation available for active trading on EVEDEX. Margin on EVEDEX sits in a personal smart account on Arbitrum, so you can move USDT in and out as market conditions change and keep staking separate. This flexibility is particularly useful during periods of high Gram volatility, where short-term trading opportunities may outweigh staking APY for a portion of your position.
Key Risks to Understand Before Staking
Staking Gram is relatively low-risk compared to yield farming or lending, but it is not risk-free. Smart contract vulnerabilities in third-party liquid staking protocols remain the primary technical concern — always check whether contracts have been audited by reputable firms. Validator performance risk is also relevant: if your chosen pool's validator goes offline during an epoch, rewards for that cycle may be reduced or forfeited. Finally, price risk applies to any staked asset — your Gram holdings can lose market value during the unbonding period, even as you earn staking rewards. Diversifying across staking methods and maintaining a liquid reserve are prudent practices for managing these exposures.
