Ethereum News Today: Institutions Staking STRK Now Outpace U.S. Treasury Yields

Anchorage Digital, a U.S. chartered crypto bank, has launched custody and staking services for Starknet’s native token, STRK, to meet the growing institutional demand for yield generation in the digital asset space. The company announced the offering in a recent statement, highlighting an annual percentage rate (APR) of 7.28% for staked STRK tokens. This move expands the token’s utility beyond its role as a governance and transaction fee instrument, offering institutional investors another avenue for capital deployment [1].

Starknet is a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that utilizes zero-knowledge proofs to improve network efficiency while maintaining security and decentralization. Earlier this year, the network introduced staking as part of its broader decentralization strategy, allowing STRK holders to contribute to network security and earn rewards in return. The integration with Anchorage underscores the growing institutional adoption of layer-2 infrastructure, which is increasingly seen as essential for scaling decentralized finance (DeFi) and other blockchain applications [1].

The timing of the launch aligns with a broader trend of crypto staking competing with traditional financial products. U.S. Treasury yields, which have historically served as a benchmark for risk-free returns, currently sit between 4.0% and 4.5%. However, with financial markets pricing in a 94% probability of a Federal Reserve rate cut in September, the relative appeal of crypto staking could grow if traditional yields decline under a dovish monetary policy environment [1].

Institutional participation in staking has been rising, with several banks and custodians entering the space. For example, Switzerland’s Sygnum Bank was among the first to offer Ethereum staking services in 2021, while other firms such as Komainu and the Liquid Collective have introduced liquid staking products for major blockchains like Solana. These developments reflect a broader shift toward the normalization of crypto staking as a legitimate yield-generating tool for institutional investors [1].

Meanwhile, other platforms are also offering competitive staking returns for STRK, albeit at significantly higher APRs. On the Super platform, STRK staking is currently yielding 21%, with daily reward distributions and flexible withdrawal options. This high yield is attributed to the platform’s non-custodial infrastructure and use of audited smart contracts. Super's offering includes benefits such as daily compounding and 24-hour liquidity, attracting investors who seek both high returns and exposure to layer-2 innovation [2].

The STRK token plays a critical role in Starknet’s ecosystem, serving as a governance, utility, and reward mechanism. Through staking, holders can influence protocol upgrades, secure the network, and pay gas fees. The token’s position as a key component of Ethereum’s layer-2 infrastructure further supports its long-term value proposition, particularly as the broader crypto market continues to seek scalable solutions [2].

Source:

[1] Anchorage Launches Starknet Staking for Institutions (https://cointelegraph.com/news/anchorage-starknet-staking-institutions-crypto-yields)

[2] Staking Starknet (STRK) with 21% APR (https://www.publish0x.com/superearncom/staking-starknet-strk-with-21-percent-apr-xdqnrmm)