Passive income opportunities in crypto have never been more accessible. The market now offers staking rewards that can outpace traditional savings accounts by wide margins. This list focuses on projects that combine strong fundamentals with real yield potential.
Here are the top five best cryptos to buy now for passive income in 2026:
- Digitap ($TAP) – Omni-banking platform with up to 124% APY staking during presale.
- Ethereum – Secure proof-of-stake network with 3-6% APY.
- AAVE – DeFi lending protocol with combined yields.
- Polkadot – A multi-chain protocol delivering competitive yields near 11-13% APY.
- Cosmos – High on-chain staking rewards that reach 12-18% APY.
1. Digitap: The Best Crypto Presale for Maximum Passive Income
Digitap stands apart from other passive income options in crypto. The platform offers staking rewards up to 100% APY after launch, with presale participants earning up to 124% APY. Digitap’s staking model uses a fixed reward pool rather than inflationary token emissions, so holders earn high yields without dilution.
The omni-banking app is already live on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Users can download it right now and access features like multi-currency accounts, crypto-to-fiat exchanges, and spending cards. Most crypto presale projects never make it this far before launching their token. Digitap has already proven it can deliver real utility.
Beyond staking, $TAP holders get access to cashback programs, reduced transaction fees, and VIP perks like airport lounge access and concierge services. The platform dedicates 50% of its profits to buying back and burning $TAP tokens. This creates constant deflationary pressure that should support the token price over time.
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The combination of high yields, real product functionality, and deflationary mechanics makes Digitap a top altcoin to buy for anyone focused on passive income. The crypto presale is still active at $0.0439, which gives early participants a chance to lock in tokens before the official launch price of $0.14. With over $4 million raised already, market interest is clear.
2. Ethereum: Reliable Security and Steady Returns
Ethereum remains the gold standard for proof-of-stake security. The network transitioned to its current consensus mechanism in 2022 and has maintained stable operations since. Staking rewards typically range from 3% to 6% APY, depending on the method chosen. For conservative investors, ETH remains a solid altcoin to buy.
Source: CryptoQuant
The main advantage of ETH staking is network security and legitimacy. Ethereum hosts the largest ecosystem of decentralized applications and has the deepest liquidity in DeFi. Stakers can participate in this ecosystem through liquid staking tokens that maintain their value and earn rewards at the same time.
The downside is that ETH offers the lowest yields on this list. For holders who prioritize security over maximum returns, Ethereum makes sense as part of a diversified portfolio.
3. AAVE: DeFi Lending and Staking Combined
AAVE offers a unique approach to passive income through its Safety Module staking system. Users can stake AAVE tokens and earn approximately 4-5% APY in protocol rewards.
Beyond staking, Aave also offers lending markets where users can supply assets and earn variable interest based on borrowing demand. In certain market conditions, combining protocol staking rewards with lending yields can result in higher overall returns — potentially reaching double-digit APYs on some assets during periods of strong utilization.
The trade-off is complexity and risk. AAVE staking carries a slashing mechanism where staked tokens can be used to cover protocol shortfalls if needed. The yields are also variable rather than fixed, changing based on protocol fees and overall staking participation. For users comfortable with these mechanics, AAVE provides flexible passive income options.
4. Polkadot: Multi-Chain Yields and Governance
Polkadot offers competitive staking rewards of around 11% to 13% APY through its nominated proof-of-stake system. The network’s parachain architecture supports multiple specialized blockchains that share security from the main relay chain. DOT stakers can also participate in governance decisions that shape the network’s future development.
The unbonding period for DOT is approximately 28 days. This means stakers must wait nearly a month after requesting to unstake before they can access their tokens again. This lock-up period is longer than most other networks but reflects Polkadot’s focus on network security. The yields are solid enough to justify the commitment for those who plan to hold long-term.
5. Cosmos: High Traditional Staking Yields
Cosmos consistently offers the highest on-chain staking yields among major proof-of-stake networks. Current returns range from 12% to 18% APY through direct delegation to validators, though this still falls well short of Digitap’s 124% APY offering.
Source: Cosmos
The Cosmos Hub acts as the center of an interconnected network of sovereign blockchains that can communicate through the IBC protocol. The high yields come with a 21-day unbonding period. Stakers must also consider validator performance since poor validator behavior can result in slashing penalties. Still, Cosmos remains the top choice for traditional staking yields.
Why Digitap Leads as the Best Crypto To Buy in 2026 for Passive Income
Each altcoin to buy on this list brings something different to the table. Ethereum offers unmatched security. AAVE provides flexible DeFi yields through lending and staking. Polkadot combines solid yields with multi-chain technology. Cosmos delivers high traditional staking returns. But Digitap surpasses them all for passive income potential in 2026.
The numbers tell the story. Digitap’s 124% APY during presale is roughly 10x what Cosmos offers and more than 20x Ethereum’s returns. These yields come from a non-inflationary model backed by real platform revenue rather than endless token printing.
The working app, active crypto presale, and deflationary tokenomics create a complete package that other projects cannot match, making Digitap the best crypto to buy for passive income as it prepares for its official token launch.
Digitap is Live NOW. Learn more about their project here:
Presale https://presale.digitap.app
Website: https://digitap.app
Social: https://linktr.ee/digitap.app
