One of the most frequently asked questions among Spanish investors in 2026: Where should I put my savings—in a fixed-term deposit or through cryptocurrency staking? The answer isn’t straightforward because we’re comparing products with very different risk profiles, liquidity, and tax implications. But this is exactly the kind of comparison that only APYData can make: we are the only comparison tool that brings together up-to-date data from both worlds in a single table.
The direct comparison in numbers
Based on data updated on APYData as of March 2026:
| Product | APY | Risk | Liquidity | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best 12-month deposit (Raisin/Freedom24) | ~3.5% | Very low | Locked for 12 months | FGD up to €100,000 |
| Best interest-bearing account (XTB) | ~3.5% | Very low | Instant | FGD up to €100,000 |
| Binance DOT staking (120 days) | 6.5% | High | Locked for 120 days | None |
| Binance ATOM Staking (flexible) | 5.77% | High | Instant | None |
| Binance SOL Staking (120 days) | 5.0% | High | Locked for 120 days | None |
| USDC on Binance (flexible) | 5.0% | Medium | Instant | None |
Approximate data. See the table updated in real time on APYData.
The deposit: guaranteed returns, zero surprises
A fixed-term deposit has one key advantage: you know exactly how much you’ll receive at the end of the term. No matter what happens in the markets. The bank owes you that return.
Additionally, deposits in European banks are guaranteed up to €100,000 per account holder and institution through the Deposit Guarantee Fund. If the bank goes bankrupt, you get your money back.
Drawbacks: Your capital is locked up. A 12-month deposit at 3.5% means you can’t access that money without a penalty. Furthermore, in an environment where inflation is above 3.5%, you’re losing purchasing power in real terms.
Staking: Higher Returns, But at a Cost
Staking can offer between 5% and 6.5% annually with some cryptocurrencies. But there are two critical factors that are often overlooked:
- Volatility of the underlying asset. If you stake DOT at 6.5% but the price of DOT drops by 40%, your actual return is -33.5%. The returns from staking only offset volatility if the asset holds steady or rises.
- No deposit guarantee. On centralized exchanges like Binance, if the platform goes bankrupt or gets hacked, you lose your assets. There is no Guarantee Fund for crypto.
When does staking make sense?
Staking makes sense if you already hold that cryptocurrency in your portfolio and intend to hold it long-term. In that case, staking is simply a way to generate returns on an asset you were going to hold anyway. The staking yield (5–6.5%) is a bonus on a position you already held, not the primary reason for the investment.
If your goal is simply to preserve capital and earn predictable returns, a deposit is the right choice.
The middle ground: staking/lending stablecoins
There is a third option that many overlook: lending or savings in stablecoins. Products like Binance USDC Flexible (5% APY) or DeFi lending protocols (Euler 6.7%, Fluid 4.1%) allow you to earn returns higher than a deposit, with the added benefit that the asset is a dollar-pegged stablecoin. There is no asset price volatility, but there is platform risk and the risk of de-pegging.
Conclusion
There is no single answer. The best choice depends on your profile:
- Conservative investor: Term deposit or interest-bearing account (up to 3.5%)
- Moderate investor with exposure to stablecoins: USDC on exchanges or DeFi (up to 6.7%)
- Investor with crypto in their portfolio: Flexible staking of what you already hold (5–6.5% on the position)
On APYData, you can compare all these products in a single table, updated in real time. It’s the only hybrid TradFi + Crypto comparison tool in Spanish.