Nova Wallet: A Comprehensive Guide to Staking DOT on Polkadot

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Introduction to Nova Wallet

Nova Wallet is an open-source mobile wallet designed for the Polkadot ecosystem, developed by Novasama Technologies. Available for both iOS and Android, it is funded by the Polkadot Treasury and supports seamless integration with various dApps and wallets within the ecosystem.

👉 Explore Nova Wallet's features

Getting Started with Staking DOT

Step-by-Step Staking Process

  1. Navigate to the Staking Tab
    Open Nova Wallet, select the "Staking" tab, and choose Polkadot or Kusama as your network.

  2. Bond Your DOT
    Tap "Start Staking," enter the amount you wish to bond (or select "Max"), and ensure you leave enough transferable DOT for transaction fees.

    ⚠️ Pro Tip: Never bond all your funds! Retain some for transaction fees to avoid account lockouts.
  3. Select Validators
    Nova Wallet recommends validators based on APY and reliability. You can manually select up to 16 validators on Polkadot (24 on Kusama).
  4. Confirm and Stake
    Review your selections, tap "Continue," and confirm the transaction. Your staking rewards will begin accumulating in the next era.

Advanced Staking Operations

Adding More DOT to Your Stake

  1. Tap "Stake More" in the Staking tab.
  2. Enter the additional amount and confirm the transaction.

Changing Nominations

  1. Select "Your Validators" from the Staking tab.
  2. Tap "Change" to update your nominations manually or via recommendations.

Adjusting Rewards Destination

  1. Navigate to "Rewards Destination."
  2. Choose between rebonding, auto-compounding, or transferring rewards to another account.

Managing Unbonding and Rebonding

Unbonding DOT

  1. Tap "Unstake" in the Staking tab.

  2. Enter the amount to unbond and confirm. Note the 28-day unbonding period (7 days on Kusama).

    ℹ️ Fast Unstake: Check eligibility for instant unbonding via the Staking Dashboard.

Rebonding DOT

  1. Select "Cancel" on unbonding tokens.
  2. Choose the amount to rebond and confirm the transaction.

Claiming Staking Rewards

Manual Payouts

  1. Navigate to "Unpaid Rewards" in the Staking tab.
  2. Tap "Pay Out All" and cover the transaction fee to claim rewards immediately.

FAQ Section

How do I choose the best validators?

Nova Wallet provides recommendations based on APY and reliability. For more details, read this guide.

Can I stake with a small amount of DOT?

Yes! Join a nomination pool if your DOT balance is below the minimum required for solo staking.

What happens if I don’t claim rewards?

Unclaimed rewards expire after 84 eras (approximately 28 days). Validators typically initiate payouts within 2–3 days.

👉 Learn more about Polkadot staking

Disclaimer: Always verify transaction details before confirming. Web3 Foundation is not liable for fund management errors.