The live product lets users earn yield on USD1 held on the exchange while keeping balances liquid, though the advertised 8% APR is presented as a best-case rate rather than a flat return.
Gate.io said Gate Soft Staking is now live, offering users up to 8% APR on USD1 with no lock-up period. The product allows holders to keep USD1 in their Gate account and accrue yield while retaining the ability to move or spend funds at any time, positioning it as a liquid alternative to fixed-term deposit products. The exchange framed the 8% figure as an upper bound rather than a guaranteed flat rate, and the announcement did not include the full tier structure, meaning the top return may apply only to a capped portion of balances. The launch is particularly relevant for Gate Card users who keep a spending float on the platform, as it allows idle USD1 to earn yield while remaining available for card top-ups and transactions. The announcement does not change cashback, fees or card terms, and the balances remain in Gate custody, leaving users exposed to exchange counterparty risk.