Cardano is a Proof of Stake (PoS) blockchain. This means that even if you do not have the time or resources to run a stake pool, you can still delegate your ADA to another pool operator (like plebpool) and have it staked on your behalf. IMPORTANT: when you stake you aren’t sending your ADA to the pool but are delegating it, so this means ADA never leaves your wallet. Read below for epochs and payouts for staking rewards!

WALLETS

You can use 3 wallets for the Cardano staking right now: Daedalus, Yoroi and AdaLite.

1. Daedalus (Windows, Mac, Linux)
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Daedalus is a secure, multi-platform Cardano desktop wallet. You can download the latest version from the official website.

It will take about 20 minutes until Daedalus gets fully installed on your computer and you can start using it and delegating your ADA (₳).

2. Yoroi (Android, iOS, Firefox & Chrome Extensions)

Yoroi is a Cardano light wallet you can install on your mobile device or desktop browser in just couple of minutes and start using it.

Just like with Daedalus you get all the functionalities and access to Cardano blockchain protocol to receive, store, send, spend or stake ADA (₳). Be sure to always install the latest version from the official website.

3. AdaLite (Web Wallet)
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AdaLite is a very simple and easy to use Cardano web wallet. AdaLite is also compatible and can be used with Ledger Nano S/X and Trezor Model T hardware wallet.

Epochs and payouts

An Epoch is a period in which new blocks are created through slots. Slots occur every 20 seconds within an epoch, and each epoch lasts exactly five days. 

Epoch 1: The epoch in which you delegate your stake will be ‘epoch one’ for rewards purposes,
Epoch 2: Your delegation becomes active and your delegation preferences are updated on the blockchain. During this epoch, your chosen stake pool should produce a block,
Epoch 3: During this epoch, your rewards are calculated,
Epoch 4: Your delegation rewards are distributed.