Step-by-Step Guide: How to Stake SOL on MainOrbit +MEV with Phantom Wallet  

Step 1: Install and Set Up Phantom Wallet

1. Download Phantom: Visit phantom.app and install the browser extension for your preferred browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.).
2. Create or Import a Wallet:
• New user: Click “Create New Wallet,” follow the prompts, and securely store your seed phrase (e.g., write it down and keep it safe).
• Existing user: Select “Import Wallet” and enter your seed phrase to restore it.
3. Fund Your Wallet with SOL:
• On the Phantom main screen, click your wallet address (next to the copy icon).
• Copy the address and transfer SOL from an exchange (e.g., Binance or Kraken) or another wallet. Keep a small buffer (about 0.01–0.02 SOL) for transaction fees.

Step 2: Access the Staking Section

1. Open Phantom: Click the extension icon in your browser and enter your password if prompted.
2. Select SOL: On the main screen, click your SOL balance.
3. Start Staking: In the pop-up window, click “Start Staking” or “Stake SOL” (wording may vary slightly by version).

Step 3: Choose the MainOrbit +MEV Validator

1. View the Validator List: After clicking “Stake SOL,” Phantom will display a list of Solana validators.
2. Find MainOrbit +MEV:
• Use the search bar at the top (look for a magnifying glass icon) and type “MainOrbit +MEV.”
• If it doesn’t appear, verify its status on Solana Explorer (explorer.solana.com) or StakeView to ensure it’s active.
3. Check Details:
• Review the validator’s commission (the percentage of your rewards they take).
• Confirm the APY (annual yield) and uptime suit your needs. MainOrbit +MEV supports MEV (Maximal Extractable Value), potentially boosting rewards.

Step 4: Delegate Your SOL

1. Enter Amount: After selecting MainOrbit +MEV, input the amount of SOL you want to stake. Leave a small balance (e.g., 0.01 SOL) for fees.
2. Confirm Delegation: Click “Stake” or “Delegate.”
3. Sign the Transaction: Phantom will create a stake account (costing about 0.002 SOL). Click “Approve” or “Sign” to confirm.

Step 5: Wait for Stake Activation

1. Activation Period: Your stake activates at the start of the next epoch (about 2 days). Track epoch progress on explorer.solana.com.
2. Check Status: Return to the staking section in Phantom (click SOL and scroll down). You’ll see “Activating” until it changes to “Active” after the epoch ends.

Step 6: Earn Rewards

1. Staking Rewards: Once active, you’ll earn SOL rewards every epoch (roughly every 2 days). These are automatically added to your stake account.
2. MEV Rewards: MainOrbit +MEV may distribute extra MEV profits (e.g., via Jito). Check the validator’s site or jito.network to see if manual claiming is required.
3. Monitor Earnings: In Phantom’s staking section (under SOL), view your accrued rewards. If a “Claim Rewards” button appears, use it to transfer rewards to your main balance (optional, as rewards typically compound automatically).

Step 7: Unstake SOL (Optional)

1. Deactivate Stake:
• In Phantom’s staking section, locate your active stake with MainOrbit +MEV.
• Click “Unstake” or “Deactivate” next to it.
2. Cooldown Period: After deactivation, SOL becomes available after the current epoch ends (about 2 days).
3. Withdraw Funds: Once the status changes to “Inactive,” click “Withdraw” or “Close Stake Account” to move SOL back to your main balance.

Helpful Tips

• Security: Keep your seed phrase private and avoid entering it on suspicious sites.
• Fees: Ensure you have enough SOL for transactions (typically under 0.01 SOL per action).
• Yield: APY is usually 5–8%, plus potential MEV bonuses, depending on network conditions and validator performance.