Stake Review 2026
8.6/10 DegenStake score
Some links on this page are affiliate links — we may earn a commission if you sign up. It does not change the score, which comes from our published criteria.
Stake is the largest crypto-first betting platform by volume, covering 36 sports and 17 esports categories with live markets, Same Game Multi (bet builder) and Stake Shield multi-leg protection. On pricing it is the strongest book we cover: across the mainstream 1x2 markets we compared, Stake ran the tightest margins of anything on this list, which is why it takes the top odds score in our ranking.
Welcome bonus
Stake does not run a standard global welcome bonus. Instead, new users get access to VIP rakeback that scales with volume, event-triggered offers such as early cash-out refunds, and weekly promotions. Unverified accounts must wager 100% of deposited value before withdrawing, and KYC can be requested at any time — always read the live terms on stake.com before depositing.
Pros
- Tightest average odds margin of the books we compared
- Deep sports and esports coverage with live, in-play betting across 36 sports
- Same Game Multi and Stake Shield for multi-leg bets
- Fast crypto withdrawals, typically same-day
- Strong VIP rakeback for high-volume bettors
Cons
- No standard welcome bonus for new sports bettors
- 100% deposit wagering requirement before withdrawal for unverified accounts
- KYC can be requested at any time, which can delay a withdrawal
- No cash-out on Same Game Multi or Stake Shield bets
- Centralized, custodial model offers less recourse than a fully non-custodial platform
Supported coins & deposit process
Stake accepts BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, DOGE, XRP, TRX, EOS, BCH and more than a dozen additional assets. Crypto withdrawals are typically processed within 0–2 days once approved; bank transfer options can take up to three business days.
Platform & custody notes
Stake is a custodial platform — funds sit in an account balance rather than a self-custody wallet, so you're trusting Stake's operational security and solvency. It has operated since 2017 with a large public user base. As with any centralized platform, only deposit what you're comfortable having tied up, and confirm current terms and availability in your country before signing up.
Our verdict
If sharp pricing is what you optimise for, Stake is the best book here — it scores 9.9 on odds, higher than anything else we cover. What holds its overall score down is custody: your balance sits with the operator, and that criterion carries 30% of our total. If that trade is fine with you, this is the pick. If it isn't, SX Bet settles the same kind of bet on-chain, and Cloudbet is the closest custodial alternative with a welcome offer attached.
Key facts
| Established | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Custody model | Custodial — house-held balance |
| Chain / network | Multi-chain deposits |
| Accepted assets | BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT +15 more |
| Withdrawal time | 0–2 days |
| KYC | May be requested at any time |
| Welcome offer | No bonus — VIP rakeback instead |
Unverified accounts must wager 100% of deposited value before withdrawing. 18+. T&Cs apply. Always read the operator’s live terms before depositing.
Degen Score breakdown
The overall 8.6 is the weighted mean of these four, using the weights published in our methodology — not a number set by hand.
Common questions about Stake
Is Stake decentralized?
No. Stake accepts crypto but holds your balance itself, so it is a custodial sportsbook rather than an on-chain one. Funds sit with the operator until you withdraw. That is the trade-off for the sharpest pricing and widest mainstream coverage we found; if you want settlement you can verify on-chain, the non-custodial platforms sit higher in our ranking.
Does Stake require KYC?
Verification may be requested at any time rather than at a fixed threshold, and unverified accounts must wager 100% of the deposited value before withdrawing. In practice you can sign up and deposit quickly, but you should assume verification will be asked for before money leaves the account.
Does Stake have a welcome bonus?
No. Stake runs no welcome bonus at all, offering VIP rakeback instead. That is unusual in this market and, in our view, not a negative — a book with sharp odds and no bonus is often better value than one with a large bonus carrying heavy wagering conditions.
How long do Stake withdrawals take?
Typically between zero and two days depending on the asset and whether verification is outstanding. Stake supports BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT and roughly fifteen more assets across multiple chains.
Is Stake legit?
Yes. Stake has operated since 2017, is one of the largest crypto sportsbooks by volume, and pays out. We rate it fifth of twelve, and that ranking is about custody rather than trustworthiness — it holds your balance, which caps how high it can score on our custody criterion no matter how well it runs.
Is Stake safe to use?
Operationally it has a strong record. The structural risk is the one every custodial book shares: your balance is an entry in the operator's ledger, not a contract you can verify. Note also that unverified accounts must wager 100% of deposited value before withdrawing, and verification can be requested at any time — plan for that before depositing a large amount.
Alternatives to Stake
The short version
Tightest margins we found across mainstream football, basketball and tennis markets. No welcome bonus — value comes from pricing and VIP rakeback instead.
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