How much do I need, my money is secure, or the profits I'll get are probably the main three questions you are asking yourself, if you are new to, and are interested in cryptocurrency staking.

It significantly depends on the staking coin you pick, how much you can afford to invest, and what kind of investment platform you have chosen. This guide will refresh your crypto staking knowledge and list some of the best staking platforms that will address the key issues and get you earning in a few simple steps.

Difference between Masternodes and Staking Platforms

Every blockchain network processes transactions automatically with the help of geographically distributed computers, also known as nodes. People join a Blockchain's network to process, confirm transactions, secure the network, and in return, get a reward for their contribution.

Masternodes

Masternodes are superior nodes on a blockchain network that have more privileges and capabilities than regular nodes. They validate transactions, update the network, and provide an additional level of security to the network. They earn a significant share of the network's block reward because they have to lock away a substantial amount of coins as collateral.

In most blockchain networks, masternodes are simple to run, but they need a minimum amount of investment in coins. For instance, Dash, the most widely known masternode network, requires a deposit of 1,000 Dash. At the current price of $78, it means a masternode operator would need to lock away about $78,000 to join the Dash network.

Staking Platforms

If you don't have this kind of money or are not willing to invest that much, there are other ways to make profits, such as by joining a masternode pool, running a shared masternode, or staking through a third party like staking platform.

Staking platforms offer affordable and convenient staking services. They also present you with a list of coins you can choose from, and they can be an excellent gateway to people who are new to cryptocurrency staking.

Here is a list of the best masternodes and staking platforms.

1.  Dash

There is no leaving out Dash when it comes to mentioning the best masternodes. One of the best masternode tracking websites, Masternodes.online, estimates that as of 2020, there are 3,510 active masternodes on Dash, out of the total 3,616. The current return on investment is 6.28%, with rewards being disbursed every 24 hours.

Starting a Dash masternode is relatively expensive, but you can join a shared masternode or masternode pool and become a passive earner by delegating your funds and active management to another party. Of course, the reward is less, as it becomes shared directly proportional to the amount of your investment, but it is a good way of earning a passive income.

2.  MyCointainer

This is probably the most comprehensive and beginner-oriented staking platform that offers a wide range of assets and masternode coins all in one platform. There is no minimum investment amount, and you can buy your staking coins directly from their exchange services with fiat currency.

MyCointainer goes beyond offering staking services. As a member, you have access to additional ways of growing your profits through their special power subscription plan, daily bonuses, airdrops, and giveaways. Once you sign up, you also get access to a wealth of information from their blog updates that will guide your investment decisions.

3.  Blocknet(BLOCK)

Blocknet is a blockchain platform with a decentralized exchange that aims to provide inter blockchain services. It is run by a combination of service nodes and trader nodes (masternodes). The service nodes are responsible for collecting the transaction fees and distributing them proportionately, while the trader nodes handle trading on the exchange.

The service nodes get 70% of the block reward, while the masternodes get the remaining 30%. The minimum amount of blocks required to run a masternode is 5000 BLOCK.

Blocknet is among some of the most affordable masternodes that you can run on your own because, at the price of $1.45, you would need around $6000 to get started. The network has about 476 masternodes and a monthly return rate of approximately $80.

4. PIVX (Private Instant Verified Transaction)

PIVX is a Proof of Stake cryptocurrency that focuses on rewarding people who are willing to participate in the running of its network. The PIVX network has two staking levels, one for all PIVX holders and another exclusively for masternode operators.

PIVX masternodes are fundamental to its network, and regular staking nodes cannot accomplish their roles. The minimum investment required to run a PIVX masternode is 10,000 PIVX, which is about $2,865, at the current price of $0.288 PIVX.

The current number of masternodes on the PIVX blockchain network is 1,650, with a monthly income of $20 and an annual ROI of 8.96%.

For people looking to start small with a passive income and work their way up, here are three staking services that have much to offer.

5. Everstake

Everstake is yet another staking service for institutional investors and regular token holders. It offers a wide range of proof of stake crypto assets, with profits ranging between 5-20% annually. If you're looking to start staking with coins such as Tezos, Cosmos, and ICON, Everstake is the best place to get started.

The coins offered on Everstake are mostly PoS coins that you can stake at the protocol level without having to run a masternode or joining a pool.

6. Simple PoS Pool

Simple PoS Pool is the ultimate ecosystem of all things Proof-of-Stake that was built to make staking easily available for anyone. It is one of the biggest shared masternode services that allow members to receive rewards more regularly and stake with different coins.

Simple PoS Pool practices transparency of pool rewards, and users can stake individually or decide to join a staking pool. The advantage of a staking pool is that more coins in a masternode get a higher and faster stake, following the concept of pooling resources together.

This is one of the best platforms for masternode pools that will earn you a passive profit, and you can join as many pools as you want.

Final Thoughts

Running a masternode is safe as ultimately, you have control over your funds, and you alone are responsible for maintaining the masternode, and you receive the full reward amount. In other services, like staking platforms and shared masternodes or pools, you trust over your funds to a third party, which, while it is cheaper and lucrative, there is some risk of parting with your funds.

However, the staking services, as mentioned above, have a good track record and have established themselves as trustworthy partners. Furthermore, they make a profit when you make a profit, and therefore, it is in their interest to secure and grow your investment.