13 Oct 2022 · 15 min read

Best Crypto Interest Accounts

Disclaimer: The Industry Talk section features insights by crypto industry players and is not a part of the editorial content of Cryptonews.com. 

Cryptocurrencies and DeFi apps (Decentralized Finance) are changing the way that people can earn money through crypto interest accounts. These accounts let individuals earn interest on their crypto holdings over time.

In this article, we’ll look at the 9 best crypto interest accounts for 2023 and explain everything you need to know about these platforms.

The Best Cryptocurrency Interest Accounts Ranked 

Here are the 9 best crypto interest accounts available right now:

  1. Crypto.com - Best interest rewards for stablecoins
  2. BlockFi - High interest rates on many top cryptos
  3. YouHodlr - Regulated interest accounts with compounding
  4. Binance - Global exchange with flexible crypto interest accounts
  5. Coinbase - Best for new crypto investors to earn passive income
  6. Nexo - Flexible interest accounts with no lock-up periods
  7. Hodlnaut - Specialized crypto interest platform with good rates 
  8. Midas Investment - High crypto yields & investment opportunities
  9. Gemini - Highly secure platform for hassle-free crypto investing

Visit Crypto.com Now

Reviewing the Top Crypto Interest Accounts

To help crypto investors find the best crypto interest account for their needs, we’ll take a closer look at the top accounts available today.

1. Crypto.com - Best Interest Rewards for Stablecoins

Crypto.com has one of the largest selections of interest-eligible coins through its Earn program. Investors can earn interest on both traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum as well as stablecoins like USDC and DAI.

There are several reasons to consider Crypto.com as a strong contender for offering the best crypto interest accounts. First, the maximum interest rate can climb up to 14% APY (Annual Percentage Yield) for regular cryptocurrencies and up to 8.5% APY for stablecoins.

Those are impressive rates when looking at the currently available crypto interest accounts. However, it is worth noting that conditions to earn the highest yields include extensive lock periods and large deposits.

Crypto.com has also earned a strong reputation as one of the best places to earn interest on crypto
and as a reliable exchange and custodian for customers' funds. That’s critical since investors need to be certain that their crypto is stored safely while earning interest. Earning interest on cryptos is one of the ways to earn free crypto in 2023.

Overall, Crypto.com’s high rates, user-friendly features, and security make it our pick as one of the best crypto interest account providers for 2023.

Pros: 

  • Trusted by 10 million+ users
  • Earn up to 14.5% APY
  • High interest rates for stablecoins
  • Strong security
  • Intuitive mobile app
  • Earn calculator provides an estimate of rewards
  • Higher rates for users who also hold CRO

Cons: 

  • Top rates require 6-month lock-up period

Here’s an example of some of the coins that users can deposit for additional rewards as well as the Crypto.com interest rates:

Coins

Rate - Flexible Terms

Deposit <$4000

Rate - 3 Month Lockup
Deposit >$4000
APYRequirement
BTC0.2%3%3%3 Month Lockup
Deposit >$4000
ETH0.2%4%4%3 Month Lockup
Deposit >$4000
DOT1.15%12.5%12.5%3 Month Lockup
Deposit >$4000
USDC, USDT, DAI0.4%6.5%6.5%3 Month Lockup
Deposit >$4000

Visit Crypto.com Now

2. BlockFi - High Interest Rates on Many Top Cryptos

BlockFi has earned a reputation for offering some of the highest interest rates in the industry. Customers depositing funds with BlockFi can earn interest of up to 15% APY on specific cryptocurrencies. Plus, earnings compound over time to give users the best possible return.

The platform is also noteworthy for its compliance with cryptocurrency regulation and for being based in the U.S.A. The fact that BlockFi closely adheres to laws and regulations makes it all the more appealing for crypto users desiring a high level of security. 

BlockFi’s customers will have a wide array of cryptocurrencies from which they can earn a profit through the BlockFi Interest Account (BIA). No minimum balances are required, and the yield gets paid out monthly.

Pros:

  • Highly regulated service
  • Interest rate of up to 15% APY
  • Based in the US
  • Yield is paid out monthly

Cons: 

  • Tiered interest rates with varying requirements

BlockFi provides these rates at the moment:

CoinsAPYRequirement
BTC3.5%Deposits of up to 0.1 BTC
ETH3.5%Deposits of up to 1.5 ETH
DOT15%No limit deposit
USDC8.5%Deposits of up to 20000 USDC

Visit BlockFi Now

3. YouHodlr - Regulated Interest Accounts with Compounding

YouHodlr is one of the top crypto interest platforms and earning interest on crypto is simple. Once users pass the KYC verification process, they can simply deposit their funds, sign the Savings Reward Agreement and start accruing funds. The yields are paid out once per month. 

The company was founded in Switzerland and currently has hundreds of thousands of users worldwide. Customers are drawn to YouHodlr because the company offers interest rates up to 8.32% APY. It’s also highly secure since YouHodler stores digital assets in both hot and cold storage.

Customers can also experiment with additional features such as Multi Hodl. This enables them to try to use the market’s volatility to boost rewards. 

At the time of writing, there are over 50 cryptocurrencies supported. Funds are generally locked for 30 to 365 days. There is a minimum deposit requirement of $100.

Pros:

  • 50+ cryptocurrencies for earning interest
  • Profits can be easily and quickly withdrawn
  • Rates up to 8.32% APY

Cons:

  • Minimum deposit of $100
  • Highest rewards are for less-used altcoins

Some of the rates that YouHodlr currently offers include: 

CoinsAPYRequirement
BTC3.05%Deposits of at least $100 equivalent
ETH4%Deposits of at least $100 equivalent
USDC8.32%No limit deposit

Visit YouHodlr Now

4. Binance - Global Exchange with Flexible Crypto Interest Accounts

Binance has more than 21 million active users around the world and is one of the largest crypto platforms in the industry. The exchange’s version of interest-earning crypto services is called Binance Earn. Binance Earn includes a number of options, the most important of which are Locked Staking and DeFi Staking.

With Locked Staking, customers agree to lock up their assets for 30, 60, 90, or 120 days in exchange for an estimated APY. It’s similar to the crypto interest accounts found at many other platforms.

DeFi Staking promises large yields in exchange for slightly more risk. Binance uses your funds on selected staking pools, which typically involve more volatile cryptocurrencies with less well-established followings.

The DeFi Staking program should not be confused with Binance Savings, in which funds are locked in the exchange and used as rewards for customers. Besides this, the DeFi Staking program also promises higher rewards in exchange for participating in various decentralized projects. 

Pros: 

  • 21 million+ global users
  • Huge selection of coins for earning interest
  • Earn interest on deposits up to $150 million
  • Locked and DeFi staking programs available

Cons:

  • Some staking pools are sold out
  • Low rewards for flexible interest accounts

Binance offers the current rates at the time of writing:

CoinsAPYRequirement
BTC*

Up to 5% in Binance Savings

Up to 3.1% in DeFi Staking

Lock period of 60 days for DeFi staking
ETH*

Up to 5% in Binance Savings

Up to 3.9% in DeFi Staking

Lock period of 120 days for DeFi staking
DOTUp to 20.98% in Locked StakingLock up period of 120 days in Locked Staking
USDC*Up to 1.1% in DeFi StakingFlexible lock

*Not currently available as part of Locked Staking program 

Visit Binance Now

5. Coinbase - Best for New Crypto Investors to Earn Passive Income

Coinbase is the largest crypto exchange based in the U.S. Because of this, as well as the large number of cryptocurrencies that it hosts, using the Coinbase Earn program in order to earn passive rewards is a highly attractive option for numerous users. 

Coinbase allows users to earn passive income through their staking service. The service boasts good security features, but customers will need to lock up their assets while their coins are deposited into staking pools. 

At the moment, Coinbase advertises APY of up to 5.75%. The minimum deposit can be as low as $1. While the list of eligible coins isn’t very large, this has grown in the past year. Customers can earn the highest rewards for digital coins of projects such as Tezos and Algorand.

Note that the program also allows users to earn select crypto coins in exchange for viewing informative videos and answering questions about those crypto projects. Furthermore, Coinbase also includes a DeFi Staking option for certain coins. 

Pros: 

  • Highly secure and reputable company
  • Minimum deposits of as little as $1
  • Regulated by SEC and listed on NASDAQ

Cons: 

  • Few coins available for earning interest
  • High fees compared to market competitors
Coins*APYRequirement
ALGO5.75%Staking
ETH3.28%Staking
ADA2.6%Staking
USDT0.15%Standard Rewards

*Note that at the time of writing Coinbase had not included BTC for their Earn program. However, this is likely to change soon. 

6. Nexo - Flexible Interest Accounts with No Lock-up Periods

Nexo’s primary focus is on offering instant crypto loans provided in over 40 digital coins. But the company also offers an easy way for customers to earn interest on crypto through savings accounts.

What’s great about Nexo crypto interest accounts is that the lock-up period for funds does not exceed 24 hours. In addition, Nexo has no fees for depositing and withdrawing funds.

Nexo offers yields up to 12% APY on stablecoins. Interest rates for traditional cryptocurrencies are typically around 8% APY but can climb to as high as 36% APY under certain conditions.

Pros:

  • High interest rates, particularly for stablecoins
  • Lock-up periods don’t extend past 24 hours
  • Regulated and secure

Cons:

  • Complex system and platform
  • Highest rates require investing in NEXO token
CoinsAPYRequirement
BTCUp to 7%

Platinum-tier eligibility

Earn in Nexo tokens

ETHUp to 8%

Platinum-tier eligibility

Earn in Nexo tokens

DOTUp to 15%

Platinum-tier eligibility

Earn in Nexo tokens

USDTUp to 12%

Platinum-tier eligibility

Earn in Nexo tokens

Visit Nexo Now

7. Holdnaut - Specialized Crypto Interest Platform with Good Rates

Holdnaut is relatively new to the crypto space, but this Singapore company is enticing customers with eye-catching benefits. Holdnaut’s website advertises that customers can earn up to 7.25% on most available crypto coins.

There’s no minimum deposit to start earning rewards and no lock-up period for interest-earning funds.

The catch is that only 7 digital assets are currently available to earn interest. Also, to receive the highest level of rewards, customers must pass a thorough KYC verification process.

Users looking to quickly cash in on their rewards will be able to choose to earn daily. Rewards will be credited to their accounts at the beginning of each week, allowing for fast compounding.  

Pros: 

  • No lock-up period
  • No minimum deposit required
  • Intuitive, well-designed platform

Cons: 

  • Few coins supported for earning interest
  • No support for fiat deposits
CryptosAPY
BTC3%
ETH4%
DOT10%

Note that at the time of writing, Holdnaut has suspended deposits, and is currently under interim judicial management. However, the situation could return to normal shortly. 

8. Midas Investments - High Crypto Yields & Investment Opportunities

Midas is a relatively new crypto company that presents itself as a passive crypto income ecosystem. At the time of writing, it provides up to 12.6% APY on stablecoins (USDC, USDT) and up to 8.3% on cryptocurrencies such as ETH. 

Those looking to earn through interest accounts should know that there are no deposit fees, and payouts will occur every week.

On top of that, Midas is in the process of rolling out more investment opportunities for existing crypto investors. Keep an eye on new developments at Midas that could offer higher interest rates in exchange for slightly more investment risk. 

Pros:

  • Interest paid weekly
  • No deposit fees
  • Rates up to 12.6% APY for stablecoins

Cons:  

  • Relatively complex system for new crypto users
  • Still in the process of rolling out alternative investments 
CoinsAPYRequirement
BTCUp to 8.5%Paid out in MIDAS token
ETHUp to 10.4%Paid out in MIDAS token
MIDASUp to 27.4%Paid out in MIDAS token
USDTUp to 16%Paid out in MIDAS token

9. Gemini - Highly Secure Platform for Hassle-free Crypto Investing

Gemini is a crypto exchange founded in 2014 and it currently supports over 100 cryptocurrencies. 

The Gemini Earn feature allows customers to open up an interest account and is fairly simple to use. Rates aren’t the highest we’ve seen, but it’s hard to argue with Gemini’s hassle-free approach to earning crypto interest. Beginners especially will find Gemini Earn easy to use.

The fact that it is run through the Gemini Exchange, which is highly regulated, will make customers feel more secure about their investments. In addition, Gemini is licensed in the U.S.A. and has FDIC insurance for fiat deposits of U.S. dollars.

Pros:

  • Highly secure
  • Simple to use interface
  • Supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies
  • FDIC-insured for USD deposits

Cons:

  • Relatively high fees
  • Interest rates are lower than some competitors
CoinsAPYRequirement
BTC2.75%None
ETHUp to 3.04%None
SOLUp to 5.06%None
USDxUp to 6.36%None

Best Crypto Interest Rates Comparison

Here are the different APY rates offered by the 9 best crypto interest platforms in 2023:

Crypto Interest AccountBTCETHDOTUSDC
Crypto.com3%4%12.5%6.5%
BlockFi3.5%3.5%15%8.5%
YouHodlr3.05%4%10%8.32%
Binance 5%5%20.98%1.1%
Coinbase*3.28%*0.15%
Nexo7%8%15%12%
Midas Investments8.5%10.4%*16%
Gemini2.75%3.04%**

* Cryptocurrency unavailable currently for interest rate account

How Does Earning Interest on Crypto Work?

Let's examine the best ways to earn interest on crypto in 2023.

Crypto staking involves depositing an amount of a particular coin that functions on a proof-of-stake blockchain. The pledged coins help secure and run the protocol. 

On the other hand, various exchanges, DeFi and CeFi (Centralized Finance) apps entice customers with sizable rewards for depositing their crypto assets. Most often, these funds will be locked for a set period, and the funds will be used to offer loans to other users.

Furthermore, companies such as Binance may have a product that uses elements of the previous strategies. For example, their DeFi Staking program allows users to earn large rewards for investing in decentralized projects pre-approved by the exchange. 

In all cases, customers pledge their crypto assets in return for an additional passive income stream.

Which Accounts Have the Best Crypto Interest Rates?

At the moment, Crypto.com offers the highest yield through its Earn program. Customers can earn up to 14.5% APY on their deposits for certain stablecoins and up to 8.5% APY on other cryptocurrencies. BlockFi also offers considerable rewards. Their customers can earn up to 5% APY on some crypto coins and up to 15% APY on certain stablecoins under certain conditions. 

Established crypto exchanges such as Binance or Coinbase can also provide substantial rewards in exchange for locking up crypto assets. Meanwhile, Nexo remains the best option of its kind for earning crypto interest with no lock-up periods.

In our article, we’ve also talked about Midas Investment, which currently offers up to 12.6% yield for stablecoins.

What Cryptocurrencies Can You Earn Interest On?

While many companies aim to create unique investment programs, the two types of investment opportunities involve either stablecoins or cryptocurrencies. 

Stablecoins are a type of digital asset whose value is consistently pegged to a fiat currency, most often the U.S. dollar. They typically involve lower market volatility. Companies tend to offer higher rewards for these types of deposits. 

DeFi apps and exchanges will also deliver yields for popular cryptocurrencies whose value varies based on the rules of supply and demand. The most popular crypto coins, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, will almost always be included in the list of available options. Well-established coins such as Cardano, Litecoin, and Dogecoin may also be included. 

Companies will pay higher rewards for cryptocurrencies that are in demand. This is because the funds provided by customers will, most often, be used to supply loans for other crypto users.

What is Crypto Compound Interest?

When depositing funds in a bank and with a crypto company, you will sign up either for simple interest or crypto compound interest.

Simple interest is a percentage based on the principal amount (the original sum) of the deposit. 

On the other hand, the compound interest rate is based on the principal amount and the interest that accumulates over a determined period. The interest is paid out frequently - for example, weekly - and then begins to earn interest itself. So, returns compound over time.

Not all crypto companies that offer yields when depositing include crypto compound interest. In fact, many of the best crypto interest rate account programs do not. However, some of the notable ones that do include BlockFi, Nexo, and Holdnaut.

For example, BlockFi will offer this kind of rate for over 20 crypto coins at an APY of as much as 3.5%. Note that you’ll get higher rewards on this service for larger crypto deposits. 

How to Earn Interest on Crypto - Step by Step Guide

Taking advantage of the interest rate program offered by Crypto.com is a simple process. Here are the steps that you will need to follow: 

Step 1: Sign up for Crypto.com

Register for an account or log in to Crypto.com. For investors who don’t already have an account, download the Crypto.com app. Tap Sign Up and then enter details including name, email, phone number, and address.

Step 2: Visit Earn

From the Crypto.com app’s homepage, tap on Earn from the upper right corner.

Step 3: Select Crypto and Term

Next, select the cryptocurrency to be deposited in the interest-earning account and choose the lock-up period. A longer lock-up period will come with a higher interest rate.

Step 4: Start Earning

Crypto.com calculates rewards daily and deposits interest in a Crypto.com wallet once per week. These interest payments are available to use immediately.

Is Crypto Interest Taxed?

Crypto interest is currently taxed in most areas of the world. Typically, crypto interest is treated as a capital gain similar to if an investor made money because the price of a crypto token increased.

Investors must report their income from crypto interest when reporting taxes. Failure to do so could result in penalties or fines.

Conclusion

There are numerous reputable companies offering crypto interest accounts to help investors earn more money from their crypto holdings. 

Where can you find the best crypto interest accounts? A great place to start is Crypto.com. At the time of writing, Crypto.com provides the highest yields for stablecoins and substantial rewards for regular cryptocurrencies. Check out Crypto.com to start earning today!

Visit Crypto.com Now

FAQs

Can I earn interest on my crypto?
Yes, crypto investors are able to put their digital assets to good use and earn interest when depositing their crypto with several DeFi dApps. In addition, exchanges such as Crypto.com offer interest rates as high as 14% APY.

Where can I find the best crypto interest rates?

At the moment, Crypto.com offers some of the highest crypto interest rates in the industry. Stablecoins provide a yield of up to 14% APY.

What is the best crypto to earn interest on?
Crypto investors can earn interest when pledging their stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies. Generally, stablecoins provide the highest yearly rewards since they are not subject to the volatility of the market.

What are the best crypto interest accounts?
Many high-profile exchanges and DeFi protocols provide suitable options to earn interest for crypto. While the likes of Binance, Coinbase, and, especially, BlockFi are noted for their rewards, at the moment, Crypto.com provides the highest values with a particular focus on stablecoins.

Does Coinbase have an interest account?
Coinbase’s Earn program allows customers to earn passive income through their crypto staking system at an APY of up to 5.75% and a minimum deposit of $1.