> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://yieldxyz.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Polkadot DOT Staking

> DOT staking on Polkadot with validator nomination and pool options

Polkadot DOT staking with both validator nomination and pool staking options, supporting different stake sizes and management preferences.

***

## Available yields

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Validator Staking" href="/documentation/coverage/supported-yields/staking/non-evm/polkadot/validator">
    Direct nomination (\~250 DOT minimum)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pool Staking" href="/documentation/coverage/supported-yields/staking/non-evm/polkadot/pool">
    Nomination pools (\~1 DOT minimum)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Comparison

| Feature             | Validator Staking     | Pool Staking          |
| ------------------- | --------------------- | --------------------- |
| Minimum             | \~250 DOT             | \~1 DOT               |
| Reward claims       | Manual (per era)      | Automatic             |
| Validator selection | You choose (up to 16) | Pool operator chooses |
| Commission          | Validator-defined     | Pool-defined          |
| Complexity          | Higher                | Lower                 |

***

## What this yield is

* **Asset**: DOT (native Polkadot token)
* **Mechanism**: Nominate validators or join nomination pools
* **Rewards**: Era-based staking rewards (eras \~24 hours)
* **Unbonding**: 28-day unbonding period

***

## Quick reference

| Yield ID                         | Type              | Unbonding |
| -------------------------------- | ----------------- | --------- |
| `polkadot-dot-validator-staking` | Direct nomination | 28 days   |
| `polkadot-dot-pool-staking`      | Nomination pools  | 28 days   |

***

## Required inputs

| Yield Type        | Required Arguments                     |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Validator staking | `amount`, `validatorAddresses` (array) |
| Pool staking      | `amount`, `poolId`                     |

***

## Actions & lifecycle

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Enter">
    * Bond DOT transaction
    * Nominate validators or join pool
    * Rewards begin after era boundary
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Exit">
    * Unbond DOT (initiates 28-day period)
    * No rewards during unbonding
    * Withdraw after unbonding completes
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Manage">
    * Claim payouts (validator staking)
    * Change nominations
    * Bond more DOT to existing stake
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Example flow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Fetch yield metadata">
    Get pool/validator options and requirements.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Request action">
    Call enter/exit/manage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign & submit">
    Sign with Polkadot-compatible signer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Track balances">
    Monitor unbonding and rewards.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Get yield metadata theme={null}
  curl --request GET \
    --url https://api.yield.xyz/v1/yields/polkadot-dot-validator-staking \
    --header 'accept: application/json' \
    --header 'x-api-key: <API_KEY>'
  ```

  ```bash Get validators theme={null}
  curl --request GET \
    --url https://api.yield.xyz/v1/yields/polkadot-dot-validator-staking/validators \
    --header 'accept: application/json' \
    --header 'x-api-key: <API_KEY>'
  ```

  ```bash Enter validator staking theme={null}
  curl --request POST \
    --url https://api.yield.xyz/v1/actions/enter \
    --header 'accept: application/json' \
    --header 'content-type: application/json' \
    --header 'x-api-key: <API_KEY>' \
    --data '{
      "yieldId": "polkadot-dot-validator-staking",
      "address": "1YourPolkadotAddress",
      "arguments": {
        "amount": "250",
        "validatorAddresses": ["1Validator1", "1Validator2"]
      }
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

***

## Operational notes

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="28-day unbonding">
    Polkadot has a 28-day unbonding period. This cannot be cancelled. Plan exits accordingly.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Which to choose?">
    * **Validator staking**: Better for large stakes, want control over validator selection
    * **Pool staking**: Better for smaller stakes, simpler management
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Nomination limits">
    Direct staking allows nominating up to 16 validators. The API handles this automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Reward claiming">
    Validator staking requires explicit payout claims. Pool staking handles this automatically.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## See also

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Kusama" href="/documentation/coverage/supported-yields/staking/non-evm/kusama">
    KSM staking (7-day unbonding)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Non-EVM Overview" href="/documentation/coverage/supported-yields/staking/non-evm/index">
    All non-EVM staking
  </Card>
</CardGroup>