You stake RSR by connecting an Ethereum or Base wallet to the Reserve app, choosing a Yield DTF such as ETH+, and depositing RSR into that DTF's staking pool. In return you receive staked RSR (stRSR), which grows in value as the basket's revenue is used to buy RSR for the pool. The trade-off is risk: staked RSR is first-loss capital, so it can be seized if the DTF's collateral fails, and withdrawals wait through an unstaking delay set by each DTF's governance.
A second option, vote-locking, applies to Index DTFs. It gives voting power over a basket rather than a yield-bearing insurance position. Knowing which one you are doing is the starting point for staking Reserve Rights (RSR) safely.
Staking Versus Vote-Locking
RSR can be locked in two different contracts, and they have very little in common beyond the token.
Staking behind a Yield DTF
Yield DTFs, the products Reserve originally called RTokens, hold yield-earning collateral like liquid staking tokens or lending positions. Staked RSR sits behind that collateral as overcollateralization. If an asset in the basket defaults, the protocol takes RSR from the staking pool, sells it, and uses the proceeds to protect DTF holders. Stakers are paid for carrying that risk with a share of the basket's revenue, set by governance.
Vote-locking for an Index DTF
Index DTFs are baskets of crypto tokens or tokenized stocks. Their governance runs on a vote-locked token chosen by the DTF's creator, and the Reserve documentation lists RSR as the default. Vote-locked RSR decides basket weights, fees and rebalances. There is no collateral to protect, so there is no slashing, and any reward depends on how that DTF's governance routes its fees.
Most people who search "RSR staking" mean the first option, so the steps below focus on Yield DTF staking.
Staking RSR Step by Step
- Hold RSR in a self-custody wallet. RSR is an ERC-20 token native to Ethereum, so you need a wallet that supports Ethereum tokens, plus a little ETH for gas. Staking on Base needs the bridged version of RSR and ETH on Base.
- Open the official Reserve app. Type the address in directly instead of following links from social media, since copycat staking sites are a common way to drain wallets.
- Pick a Yield DTF. Each DTF page shows its collateral, current staking pool size, the share of revenue going to stakers and the unstaking delay.
- Approve and stake. Approve the RSR spend, then stake. You receive stRSR specific to that DTF.
- Hold and let the exchange rate rise. You do not need to claim anything. Rewards appear as each unit of stRSR becoming redeemable for more RSR over time.
- Unstake when ready. Start the withdrawal, wait out the delay, then complete it to receive your RSR back.
How Rewards Are Paid
RSR staking rewards come from real revenue, with no new tokens printed for them. A Yield DTF earns yield on its collateral, and governance assigns part of that yield to RSR stakers. The protocol swaps that portion into RSR and adds it to the staking pool, which raises the stRSR to RSR exchange rate.
Suppose you stake 1 million RSR when one stRSR equals one RSR. A year later, revenue has added 3% to the pool, so one stRSR now redeems for 1.03 RSR, and your position is worth 1.03 million RSR. Your stRSR balance never changed. The exact rate depends on the DTF's size, its collateral yield, the revenue share and how much RSR is staked alongside you. A crowded pool spreads the same revenue across more stakers.
Total staked RSR across Reserve DTFs was roughly $7.9 million in early October 2026, according to DefiLlama, which gives a sense of how concentrated the pools are.
Risks Before You Stake
- Slashing on collateral default. If a basket asset depegs or a lending market fails, staked RSR is the first capital used to cover the loss.
- Unstaking delay. The cooldown is set per DTF and has historically ranged from about one week to a month. During that time the RSR price can move against you, and you cannot sell.
- Smart contract risk. DTFs, staking contracts and collateral plugins all run on code that can contain bugs.
- Price exposure. A few percent of yield is small next to RSR's price swings. Staking adds return on top of a holding but offers no protection from a falling market.
Supply decisions also matter for stakers. If future Burn Gauge votes approve treasury unlocks, more RSR could reach the market while your tokens are locked. The voting process and the 30 billion token burn proposal are explained in the RSR tokenomics breakdown.
Is Staking RSR Worth It?
Staking suits holders who plan to keep RSR for many months, understand the collateral in the DTF they choose, and accept that the yield is modest. It is a way to earn on tokens you would hold anyway. It makes little sense as a short-term trade, because the unstaking delay removes your ability to react to news.
Traders who expect sharp moves around governance votes usually keep RSR liquid, and some hedge a staked position with a short in the perpetual market. The scenarios behind those moves are set out in our RSR price prediction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the APY for staking RSR?
There is no single RSR staking APY. Returns depend on each Yield DTF's collateral yield, the revenue share governance assigns to stakers and how much RSR is already staked. Expect low single-digit rates in most pools, paid through a rising stRSR exchange rate.
Can I stake RSR on LeveX?
LeveX does not offer RSR staking. To stake, withdraw RSR to a self-custody wallet on the Ethereum network and use the official Reserve app.
Can you lose RSR by staking?
Yes. Staked RSR can be seized to cover losses if a Yield DTF's collateral defaults. Vote-locking RSR for Index DTF governance carries no slashing risk.
Staking RSR With Clear Expectations
Staking RSR turns the token into an insurance position on a specific basket, with real yield and real downside. Choose the DTF by its collateral first and its reward rate second, and keep the unstaking delay in mind before you commit.
If you would rather trade RSR without a lockup, use the RSR spot market on LeveX, or hedge and speculate with RSRUSDT perpetual futures. Short explainers on other projects live in Crypto in a Minute.