Solana (SOL) & Polygon (POL): Your 2025 Guide to Maximize DeFi Yields with Staking & Bridging

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• Use liquid staking (e.g., mSOL, stMATIC) to earn staking rewards while simultaneously using your assets in other DeFi protocols for a second layer of returns.
• Leverage bridges to move capital between Solana and Polygon, taking advantage of the best yield opportunities on each network.
• Focus on combining multiple layers of yield on stable, low-fee chains instead of chasing high-risk, volatile returns.

The days of simply holding crypto are over. In 2025, smart investors are actively growing their portfolios by using their assets to earn more. The focus has shifted to strategies that generate passive income, and two ecosystems are at the forefront of this movement: Solana (SOL) and Polygon (POL). Both offer the high transaction speeds and low fees necessary for active yield strategies. By combining native staking rewards with cross-chain bridging, users can create powerful compounding opportunities with minimal friction.

Solana Staking Sustainable Yield

Solana’s architecture, known for its ultra-fast block times, is also a highly effective proof-of-stake network. SOL holders can delegate their tokens to validators to secure the network and earn rewards, which currently average between 6% to 8% annually. This makes Solana staking a cornerstone for anyone looking to build a passive income stream.

However, a more advanced approach involves liquid staking. Platforms like Marinade Finance and Lido on Solana allow users to stake their SOL and receive a derivative token, such as mSOL or stSOL. These tokens represent your staked SOL but remain liquid, meaning you don’t have to lock up your capital. The real power of liquid staking lies in its composability—you can use these liquid tokens in other DeFi protocols to earn additional yield on top of your staking rewards. This is often called “double-dipping,” as you’re earning yield from two separate sources on the same underlying capital.

Also Read: 9 Best Platforms to Stake Solana in 2025: Earn More SOL

Polygon Staking: The Layer-2 Advantage

Polygon, as Ethereum’s leading scaling solution, has carved out its own niche. Its Proof-of-Stake validator system enables POL holders to stake their tokens, with rewards currently sitting in the 4% to 6% annual range. While slightly lower than Solana’s, Polygon’s value proposition comes from its deep integration with Ethereum’s extensive DeFi landscape.

For those seeking to maximize returns, the strategy here is similar to Solana. Liquid staking on platforms like Lido on Polygon provides users with stMATIC. This liquid token can be deployed across a wide range of popular DeFi protocols, including lending markets like Aave and decentralized exchanges like Balancer. By lending out your stMATIC, you earn both the base staking yield and a new layer of interest from the lending platform. This not only compounds your returns but also allows your capital to remain productive instead of sitting idle.

Also Read: How to Use Polygon for Cheap and Fast DeFi Transactions: A Beginner’s Guide

Bridging Strategies

The true innovation comes from combining the strengths of both ecosystems. Cross-chain bridges have matured significantly, enabling the seamless movement of assets between Solana and Polygon. Bridges like Wormhole and Allbridge serve as crucial infrastructure, allowing users to transfer wrapped assets (e.g., SOL on Polygon or POL on Solana) to capitalize on different DeFi opportunities.

Consider this powerful example:

1. A user stakes their SOL on Solana via Marinade Finance to earn an initial 6% yield and receive mSOL.
2. Using a bridge like Wormhole, they transfer their mSOL from the Solana network to Polygon.
3. On Polygon, they deposit the mSOL into a high-yield farming protocol or a lending market to earn an additional 3-5% APY.

In this scenario, the user is earning a total yield of 9-11% on their original SOL tokens by leveraging the strengths of both networks. This kind of cross-chain yield farming is a core strategy for optimizing capital efficiency.

When bridging, security is paramount. Always use battle-tested, audited bridges and double-check the contract addresses of the wrapped assets you are interacting with.

A Sustainable Approach to Yield Generation

The key to successful yield farming in 2025 is not about chasing the highest, most volatile APYs. Instead, it’s about building a robust strategy by layering sustainable yields. By using staking as a foundation and liquid staking as a stepping stone, investors can bridge their capital to where it is most productive. This approach, which leverages the complementary strengths of Solana and Polygon, offers a powerful path to earning sustainable returns without taking on excessive risk.

Tools like DeFi Llama and cross-chain analytics dashboards are invaluable for tracking real-time APYs and identifying optimal capital allocation. By staying informed and strategic, investors can turn a volatile market into a source of consistent passive income.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.