MonkeDAO Staking Calculator
Calculate potential returns from staking SOL with MonkeDAO's DAOPool. Based on current APY range (5-7%) and daoSOL price ($219.35).
If you keep hearing about MonkeDAO in Solana circles, you might wonder what it actually is. This guide breaks down the DAO, its native token DAOSOL, how staking works, and what you need to know before diving in.
Understanding MonkeDAO
MonkeDAO is a decentralized autonomous organization built around the Solana Monkey Business (SMB) NFT collection. It leverages the Solana blockchain to offer community‑driven liquid staking via its native token DAOSOL. Launched in October 2022, MonkeDAO aims to give SMB NFT holders a way to earn staking rewards without running a validator themselves.
DAO Structure and Governance
The governance token $MONKE lets holders vote on protocol upgrades, fee allocations, and validator selections. Voting takes place on a DAO platform where proposals are submitted, discussed, and executed automatically when they reach the required quorum.
How daoSOL Works - A Liquid Staking Derivative
When you stake SOL through MonkeDAO’s DAOPool, you receive daoSOL (DAOSOL) tokens. These tokens represent a claim on the underlying staked SOL plus accrued rewards. Unlike traditional staking, daoSOL can be transferred, used as collateral, or supplied to DeFi protocols for extra yield, similar to Marinade Finance’s mSOL or Lido’s stSOL.
Earning Rewards with DAOPool
MonkeDAO’s DAOPool directs staked SOL to smaller, emerging validators. This strategy boosts network decentralization but can introduce higher variance in rewards compared to large‑validator pools. Rewards are automatically added to the daoSOL balance, so holders see a growing token count without needing to unstake.
Market Data and Price Overview
| Exchange | Price (USD) | 24h Volume |
|---|---|---|
| CoinMarketCap | $219.35 | $626.24 |
| Binance | $226.63 | $1,021.57 |
| Coinbase | $135.81 | $442.10 |
The price discrepancy reflects differing liquidity on each platform. daoSOL hit its all‑time high of $297.98 on 24 Jan 2025 and currently holds a market cap just under $1 billion.
How daoSOL Stacks Up Against Competitors
| Token | Underlying Strategy | Key Advantage | Typical APY |
|---|---|---|---|
| daoSOL | Stakes with emerging validators via DAO pool | Promotes decentralization & community control | 5‑7 % |
| mSOL (Marinade) | Stakes with a mix of large and mid‑size validators | High liquidity on Raydium | 4‑6 % |
| stSOL (Lido) | Delegates to top‑tier validators | Strong security track record | 4‑5 % |
If you prioritize decentralization and want to stay involved in governance, daoSOL is the clear pick. For pure yield with minimal complexity, mSOL or stSOL might feel safer.
Risks and Considerations
- Price volatility: daoSOL can swing sharply, especially when SOL’s market moves.
- Liquidity constraints: Most trading happens on Raydium, so large orders may impact price.
- Validator performance: Emerging validators can under‑perform, affecting reward rates.
- Regulatory uncertainty: DAO structures still lack clear compliance frameworks in many jurisdictions.
Getting Started - Wallets and Step‑by‑Step Staking
To interact with MonkeDAO you’ll need a Solana‑compatible wallet such as Phantom. Follow these steps:
- Install the Phantom extension or mobile app and create a new wallet.
- Buy SOL on an exchange (e.g., Binance) and transfer it to your Phantom address.
- Visit the official MonkeDAO staking portal (URL posted in the Discord community).
- Connect your Phantom wallet and choose the amount of SOL to stake.
- Confirm the transaction; you’ll receive daoSOL tokens in your wallet instantly.
- Optionally, supply daoSOL to DeFi protocols like Raydium for extra yield.
Support primarily lives in the community Discord and the official forum; there’s no dedicated customer‑service line.
Future Outlook
MonkeDAO plans to broaden validator partnerships and explore cross‑chain bridges, which could boost daoSOL’s utility beyond Solana. However, the project’s success hinges on continued demand for SMB NFTs and Solana’s overall network health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between daoSOL and regular SOL?
daoSOL is a liquid staking derivative. It represents staked SOL plus accrued rewards, and can be transferred or used in DeFi, whereas regular SOL is the native token you hold directly.
How can I earn rewards without running a validator?
Stake SOL through MonkeDAO’s DAOPool. The pool handles validator delegation, and you receive daoSOL tokens that automatically accrue the rewards.
Is daoSOL safe to hold?
Safety depends on validator performance and protocol code. MonkeDAO’s focus on decentralization reduces single‑point risk, but emerging validators can be less reliable than large ones.
Can I use daoSOL as collateral?
Yes, many Solana DeFi platforms (e.g., Raydium, Orca) accept daoSOL as collateral for borrowing or liquidity provision.
Where can I buy daoSOL?
daoSOL is listed on Raydium, Binance, and Coinbase. Prices vary, so check multiple sources before trading.
Marina Campenni
October 5, 2025 AT 06:30The piece does a solid job of summarizing MonkeDAO and how daoSOL works, giving newcomers a quick entry point. It also points out the staking rewards and the governance token $MONKE without drowning you in jargon. Overall, it feels like a helpful starter guide.
Nick O'Connor
October 5, 2025 AT 07:20Thanks for the clear breakdown.
Irish Mae Lariosa
October 5, 2025 AT 09:16The article does a decent job of outlining what MonkeDAO is, but it glosses over some critical details that any serious investor should notice. First, the token economics of daoSOL are tied directly to the performance of a relatively small pool of emerging validators, which inherently carries higher risk than staking with established players. Second, the price discrepancies across exchanges are not merely a liquidity issue; they can be exploited by arbitrage bots, draining casual traders of potential gains. Third, the governance token $MONKE grants voting rights, yet the actual influence of a single holder is minimal unless a substantial amount of tokens is amassed. Fourth, the article fails to mention the tax implications of receiving daoSOL rewards, which in many jurisdictions are treated as taxable income at the time of distribution. Fifth, the reliance on the Solana network means that any prolonged outage or network congestion could freeze both staking rewards and the ability to liquidate daoSOL. Sixth, the community Discord, while active, often lacks professional moderation, leading to misinformation spreading unchecked. Seventh, the comparison chart omits newer competitors like Synthetify's sSOL, which offers comparable yields with a different risk profile. Eighth, the APY range of 5‑7% advertised is optimistic and does not factor in validator slashing events or fee structures that can erode returns. Ninth, the article does not address the potential impact of regulatory changes on DAO structures, which could render the token non‑compliant overnight. Tenth, the user experience of the staking portal is still clunky, with occasional transaction failures that require manual retries. Eleventh, the lack of a clear roadmap for cross‑chain bridges raises questions about the long‑term utility of daoSOL beyond the Solana ecosystem. Twelfth, while the guide mentions using daoSOL as collateral, it neglects to warn about liquidation thresholds on platforms like Raydium. Thirteenth, the article could improve by providing concrete examples of profit calculations over different time horizons. Fourteenth, the risk section is brief and does not adequately discuss the volatility of the underlying SOL price, which directly affects daoSOL valuation. Finally, prospective participants should conduct their own due diligence rather than relying solely on this overview.
DeAnna Brown
October 5, 2025 AT 10:40Nice work breaking it down, especially for folks who are new to staking on Solana. I’d add that the US market tends to favor platforms with strong compliance, so keep an eye on how MonkeDAO handles regulations. The community vibe is pretty lively, which is a plus for anyone looking to get involved. Keep the updates coming!
Chris Morano
October 5, 2025 AT 13:26Looks promising! The DAO model gives regular holders a voice, which is refreshing compared to centralized staking services. If the validator selection stays diverse, the network health should improve over time. Plus, using daoSOL as collateral opens up extra yield opportunities. I’m optimistic about the roadmap and hope to see cross‑chain bridges soon.
Carolyn Pritchett
October 5, 2025 AT 14:16This whole thing reads like a marketing fluff piece; the risks are downplayed and the rewards are exaggerated. Anyone thinking this is a safe bet is in for a rude awakening.
lida norman
October 5, 2025 AT 15:06Wow, that was a lot to take in! I totally get the excitement around daoSOL, but remember it’s still new and volatile. Keep your eyes peeled and maybe set stop‑losses to protect yourself :)
Devi Jaga
October 5, 2025 AT 16:13Oh sure, another "decentralized" token that promises everything and delivers nothing. The jargon in the article is just smoke and mirrors to hide the underlying instability. If you’re looking for real yield, stick to the tried‑and‑true platforms. Otherwise, enjoy your speculative ride.