---
updatedAt: 2026-04-09T16:03:21.000Z
---

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.blockdaemon.com/llms.txt. Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. Append .md to any documentation page URL to get its markdown version.

# Cardano API Quickstart

Overview and setup for Blockdaemon Cardano Staking API.

The **Cardano Staking API** automates stake account registration, staking certificate generation, and staking reward withdrawal. It provides a comprehensive solution that eliminates the need to set up any Cardano nodes as you only need to sign the transactions, adding minimal dependencies to your technology stack.

## Supported Networks

The Blockdaemon Staking API supports the following Cardano networks:

* **Mainnet**
* **Preprod**
* **Localnet**

## How to Use the Cardano Staking API

### 1. How to Stake

Initiating staking with the [Post Stake Intent](https://docs.blockdaemon.com/reference/postcardanostakeintent) endpoint.

The endpoint returns an unsigned transaction requiring signing and broadcasting to the network via the <Glossary>private key</Glossary> that corresponds to the public key provided in the stake intent. This <Glossary>private key</Glossary> is also added to the account as a **Full Access key**.

The ledger's history is divided into epochs, each lasting approximately five days. Depending on when delegation started in the current epoch, rewards start arriving within 15 to 20 days.

### 2. How to Deactivate a Stake

To deactivate your stake from the staking pool, initiate the process via the [Post Deactivation Intent](https://docs.blockdaemon.com/reference/postcardanodeactivationintent) endpoint. The endpoint returns an unsigned transaction that must be signed by both the private payment and private stake keys.

### 3. How to Withdraw Rewards

Initiating reward withdrawal can be done through the [Post Rewards Withdrawal Intent](https://docs.blockdaemon.com/reference/postcardanorewardswithdrawalintent) endpoint. This endpoint returns an unsigned transaction, which must be signed by the stake key and broadcast to the network (achieved via the [Broadcast Transaction](https://docs.blockdaemon.com/reference/submittransaction) endpoint).

All of the aforementioned endpoints accept a Cardano [base address](https://docs.cardano.org/learn/cardano-addresses/) as a parameter. A base address comprises two different keys:

* Payment
* Stake keys

> 🚧 Important!
>
> The unsigned transactions must be signed with both keys before broadcasting them to the network.

## 👋 Need Help?

Contact us through [email](mailto:support@blockdaemon.com) or our [support page](https://www.blockdaemon.com/support) for any issues, bugs, or assistance you may need.