If you're holding SOL without staking it, you might be leaving money on the table every day. That's the key takeaway from a recent post by DeFi specialist Fabiano Solana on X, where he shared his personal tier list of favorite liquid staking tokens (LSTs) on the Solana blockchain. As someone who's been deep in the crypto trenches, Fabiano emphasizes that LSTs not only let you earn staking rewards but also allow you to put your assets to work in DeFi protocols for extra yields.

For the uninitiated, liquid staking is a game-changer in blockchain. Instead of locking up your SOL with a validator and waiting for rewards, you deposit it into a staking pool and get an LST in return. This token represents your staked SOL and can be traded, lent, or used in liquidity pools—all while your original stake continues to earn rewards. It's like having your cake and eating it too, reducing opportunity costs in the fast-paced world of DeFi.

Fabiano's list is geared toward "farmers"—those who actively seek out yields through DeFi strategies. He jokes that holding an LST would have softened the blow from SOL's all-time high drawdown, but the real message is clear: get your SOL working harder. Here's the visual tier list he shared:

Let's break it down tier by tier, with some context on why these LSTs stand out. We'll also touch on how some tie into the meme token world, since at Meme Insider, we're all about those viral crypto narratives that drive community and innovation.

S-Tier: The Cream of the Crop for Maximum Yields

These are Fabiano's top recommendations, boasting impressive APYs and unique perks that make them ideal for aggressive farming.

• btcSOL: Offering 3% APY in SOL and an additional 5% in BTC, this LST stands out for its dual-yield mechanism. It auto-converts Solana DeFi yields into Bitcoin, letting you maintain SOL exposure while stacking sats. Perfect for those hedging between ecosystems. Check out more on similar strategies in Solana's staking landscape here.

• hyloSOL: Praised for its very high APY (around 8.4% based on recent data) and points system, hyloSOL is a powerhouse for yield chasers. It's backed by Sanctum's infrastructure, ensuring deep liquidity and security. If you're looking for audited pools with strong performance, this one's a winner.

• bulkSOL: With a whopping 12% APY plus some redacted bonuses (likely points or airdrops), bulkSOL is a fresh entrant launched in partnership with Sanctum. It has a market cap around $15M and focuses on efficient staking for smaller holders. Its recent launch makes it exciting for early adopters hunting for hidden gems.

These S-tier picks are all about high rewards with solid DeFi integration, making them staples for any Solana farmer's portfolio.

A-Tier: Reliable Workhorses with Strong DeFi Utility

Solid choices that balance yield, liquidity, and usability—great for everyday DeFi plays.

• jupSOL: From Jupiter (jup.ag), this LST offers deep liquidity for borrowing against your stake. Current APY hovers around 6.5-6.8%, and it's built on Sanctum's tech for seamless swaps. It's governed jointly by Jupiter and Sanctum, with multiple audits for peace of mind.

• mSOL: The OG from Marinade Finance (marinade.finance), mSOL can be used across DeFi protocols and delegates stakes algorithmically across validators. APY is about 6.7-8.5%, making it a decentralized favorite without extra bells and whistles.

• jitoSOL: Another pioneer from Jito (jito.network), with APY around 6.2%. It captures MEV (miner extractable value) and priority fees, spreading stakes across 200+ validators for better decentralization.

• INF: Sanctum's Infinity (sanctum.so) aggregates multiple LSTs for diversified exposure, yielding up to 9.1%. It's a meta-LST that earns from swaps and liquidity provision, ideal for hands-off high yields.

These A-tier LSTs shine in DeFi composability, letting you lend on platforms like Jupiter Lend or provide liquidity on DEXs like Orca.

B-Tier: Solid but Not Standout Options

These are dependable but might lack the edge of higher tiers, according to Fabiano.

• jupsSOL: Highlighted as a "very gud validator," this could be a variant or community-driven LST with strong backing. It offers reliable staking but may not have the liquidity depth of others.

• pSOL: From Phantom wallet (phantom.app), pSOL provides one-click staking with APY around 6.4%. It's user-friendly for beginners and integrates directly into the wallet for easy DeFi access.

• bSOL: BlazeStake's offering (or sometimes Binance's), with APY about 6%. It's the "OG" in Fabiano's eyes, safe and supportive of smaller validators.

• vSOL: A lesser-known LST with APY around 5.9%, focused on broad validator support.

• bpSOL: Described as "solid," this one emphasizes stability over flashy yields.

B-tier is for those prioritizing safety and decentralization over max APY.

C-Tier: Emerging or Niche Plays

Lower on the list, but still worth watching—especially for meme enthusiasts.

• driftSOL: From Drift Protocol (drift.trade), it's a "solid" option but perhaps limited in scope. APY around 6.6%, good for perp trading integrations.

• LST: This might refer to Sanctum's general LST or a placeholder; it's DAO-governed but questioned for longevity ("token one day?").

• bonkSOL: Tied to the iconic Solana meme token BONK (bonkcoin.com), bonkSOL lets you stake while supporting the BONK ecosystem. APY is about 6.2%, and it's perfect for meme token holders looking to earn passive income. As Meme Insider, we love how bonkSOL bridges meme culture with serious DeFi utility—recent partnerships have boosted its adoption.

While C-tier might not top the charts, bonkSOL's meme roots make it a fun entry point for community-driven staking.

Fabiano's tier list underscores the vibrancy of Solana's LST ecosystem, where innovation meets yield farming. With over 199 LSTs available (as per Solana Compass), choices abound, but starting with these can supercharge your strategy. Always DYOR and consider risks like smart contract vulnerabilities. For more on Solana staking trends, check out resources like DefiLlama's LST rankings or Sanctum's guide.

If you're new to this, head over to platforms like Jupiter or Sanctum to get started. What's your favorite LST? Share in the comments below!