# Direct Staking

## Overview

Users can stake their SOL holdings with Solana validators directly from their Squad.

<figure><img src="/files/4F4XhcUMqOG2UPYdo5BI" alt=""><figcaption><p>Validator Staking</p></figcaption></figure>

**To stake SOL:**

1. Navigate to the "Staking" tab and select "Validator" section.
2. Select the validator you wish to stake with and select the amount of SOL you want to stake. You can use a filter to rank the validators by the amount of SOL delegated to them, the estimated APY, or use the search field to find the specific validator.

{% hint style="info" %}
Staking happens in epochs that last approximately 3 days. If you stake during an ongoing epoch, you will start earning staking rewards after the start of the next epoch.
{% endhint %}

3. Once you have selected a validator to stake with, click on the "Stake" button and launch a transaction.
4. Your SOL will be staked upon the transaction execution. Once the new epoch starts, you will start earning rewards.
5. The "Staked" switcher in the "Validator" section allows you to check the staked SOL amount and ROI you are receiving.

**To unstake SOL:**

1. Navigate to the "Staking" tab and select the "Validator" section.
2. Click on the "Staked" switcher and then click on the validator from which you wish to unstake your SOL.

&#x20;3\. Click the "Unstake" button to launch a transaction.

{% hint style="info" %}
Your unstaked SOL will be available for withdrawal **only** after the end of the epoch.
{% endhint %}

4. Your SOL will start the deactivation period upon the transaction execution. The deactivation period finishes with the start of the new epoch.
5. Once the deactivation period finishes, you will be able to withdraw your SOL. Navigate to the "Staked" switcher in the "Validator" section, click on the validator from which you are withdrawing the stake, and launch a transaction to complete the withdrawal.
6. Your SOL will be returned to your vault upon transaction execution.&#x20;


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