Choosing the Right Product for You
This decision-making module helps you select the best On-Chain Earn product based on your goals, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance. It explains how to interpret APY, lock-up terms, and bonus incentives, and includes three real-world user profiles to match product types with different investor strategies.
Define Your Goal: Safety or Growth?
Before selecting any product, users should define their primary objective. If your focus is on capital preservation, stablecoin-based earning products are the most appropriate. These include USDT and USDC-based DeFi lending pools, which generally offer modest returns but carry lower risk due to the stable value of the asset.
On the other hand, if your goal is capital growth, Proof-of-Stake (PoS) tokens such as ETH, DOT, or ATOM may offer higher annual percentage yields (APY). These products, available via the Staking Hub, allow you to benefit from network-level rewards. However, they also introduce market volatility risk, as token prices may fluctuate significantly over time.
Understanding whether you prioritize safety or potential upside will guide your initial product selection.
Assess Your Liquidity Needs
Next, evaluate how important it is to have access to your funds. If you need flexibility—for example, to respond to market conditions or support active trading—then flexible redemption products are ideal. These include DeFi lending pools with real-time withdrawal options. They allow you to move assets freely, although yields are typically lower.
For users who can commit to longer-term strategies, Locked PoS staking options through Gate’s Staking Hub provides better yield opportunities. These products require users to hold assets for a defined period, during which withdrawals are restricted. In return, they offer more favorable rates.
Active traders usually prefer flexible products for quick reallocation, while long-term holders may choose locked staking for higher passive returns without needing immediate access.
Measure Your Risk Appetite
Risk tolerance varies from person to person. Gate earning products can be broadly categorized into three tiers:
- Low-risk: Stablecoins in top-tier DeFi lending protocols (e.g., USDT in Aave).
- Medium-risk: Staking major PoS tokens like ETH or DOT with known track records.
- High-risk: Liquidity mining or newer protocol integrations that offer high APYs.
Users should avoid the mindset of chasing high returns quickly. On-chain earning is not a get-rich-fast solution. Instead, it is a tool for improving capital efficiency when used responsibly. Having realistic expectations aligned with your risk profile is critical for sustained participation.
Understand the Product Page Info
Each product on Gate comes with a detailed summary that helps users make informed decisions. Understanding these elements is key to matching products with your strategy:
- APY: The projected annual yield based on protocol activity.
- Lock-up duration: Whether your funds are redeemable instantly or require a waiting period.
- Bonus tokens: Extra rewards (e.g., GT or promotional tokens) for participating in specific products.
- Protocol integration: The underlying DeFi platform or PoS network involved.
Red flags to watch for include unusually high APYs without clear explanation, vague lock-up details, or protocols without audit histories. Gate lists these attributes clearly on the product page, but users must review each component before subscribing.
Case Studies: Persona-Based Matching
Long-term Holder with $5,000
A user holding $5,000 in ETH or DOT for long-term purposes can benefit from fixed-term staking through the Staking Hub. With no immediate need for liquidity, they can lock assets for 30–90 days to earn higher APYs. Even with market fluctuations, the long-term outlook on these tokens justifies the approach.
Active Trader Who Wants Flexibility
An active user who regularly moves assets for short-term trades may opt for DeFi lending in stablecoins or ETH with instant redemption. These products offer yield without restricting access.
Choosing the Right Product for You
This decision-making module helps you select the best On-Chain Earn product based on your goals, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance. It explains how to interpret APY, lock-up terms, and bonus incentives, and includes three real-world user profiles to match product types with different investor strategies.
Define Your Goal: Safety or Growth?
Before selecting any product, users should define their primary objective. If your focus is on capital preservation, stablecoin-based earning products are the most appropriate. These include USDT and USDC-based DeFi lending pools, which generally offer modest returns but carry lower risk due to the stable value of the asset.
On the other hand, if your goal is capital growth, Proof-of-Stake (PoS) tokens such as ETH, DOT, or ATOM may offer higher annual percentage yields (APY). These products, available via the Staking Hub, allow you to benefit from network-level rewards. However, they also introduce market volatility risk, as token prices may fluctuate significantly over time.
Understanding whether you prioritize safety or potential upside will guide your initial product selection.
Assess Your Liquidity Needs
Next, evaluate how important it is to have access to your funds. If you need flexibility—for example, to respond to market conditions or support active trading—then flexible redemption products are ideal. These include DeFi lending pools with real-time withdrawal options. They allow you to move assets freely, although yields are typically lower.
For users who can commit to longer-term strategies, Locked PoS staking options through Gate’s Staking Hub provides better yield opportunities. These products require users to hold assets for a defined period, during which withdrawals are restricted. In return, they offer more favorable rates.
Active traders usually prefer flexible products for quick reallocation, while long-term holders may choose locked staking for higher passive returns without needing immediate access.
Measure Your Risk Appetite
Risk tolerance varies from person to person. Gate earning products can be broadly categorized into three tiers:
- Low-risk: Stablecoins in top-tier DeFi lending protocols (e.g., USDT in Aave).
- Medium-risk: Staking major PoS tokens like ETH or DOT with known track records.
- High-risk: Liquidity mining or newer protocol integrations that offer high APYs.
Users should avoid the mindset of chasing high returns quickly. On-chain earning is not a get-rich-fast solution. Instead, it is a tool for improving capital efficiency when used responsibly. Having realistic expectations aligned with your risk profile is critical for sustained participation.
Understand the Product Page Info
Each product on Gate comes with a detailed summary that helps users make informed decisions. Understanding these elements is key to matching products with your strategy:
- APY: The projected annual yield based on protocol activity.
- Lock-up duration: Whether your funds are redeemable instantly or require a waiting period.
- Bonus tokens: Extra rewards (e.g., GT or promotional tokens) for participating in specific products.
- Protocol integration: The underlying DeFi platform or PoS network involved.
Red flags to watch for include unusually high APYs without clear explanation, vague lock-up details, or protocols without audit histories. Gate lists these attributes clearly on the product page, but users must review each component before subscribing.
Case Studies: Persona-Based Matching
Long-term Holder with $5,000
A user holding $5,000 in ETH or DOT for long-term purposes can benefit from fixed-term staking through the Staking Hub. With no immediate need for liquidity, they can lock assets for 30–90 days to earn higher APYs. Even with market fluctuations, the long-term outlook on these tokens justifies the approach.
Active Trader Who Wants Flexibility
An active user who regularly moves assets for short-term trades may opt for DeFi lending in stablecoins or ETH with instant redemption. These products offer yield without restricting access.