APR проти APY: Що насправді має значення для ваших криптовалютних доходів?

Trying to compare staking rewards or lending rates? You’ve probably seen APR and APY thrown around, but they’re not the same thing—and that difference can seriously impact your gains.

The Core Difference

APR (Annual Percentage Rate) = Simple math. Take the base rate, multiply by 12 months. Done. No compounding factored in.

APY (Annual Percentage Yield) = Real-world numbers. Includes the effect of compounding interest—meaning you earn returns on your returns.

Here’s a concrete example:

• You deposit $1,000 at 8% APR with monthly compounds
• APR says: $80 profit
• APY actually gives you: $83 profit (8.3% APY)

That 3% gap might not sound huge at first, but compound it over years and on larger amounts? It adds up.

When Each One Actually Matters

Use APR for:

• Simple interest loans (one-time payout, no reinvestment)
• Non-compounding staking plans
• Quick rough comparisons when you’re lazy

Use APY for:

• DeFi farming where rewards auto-reinvest
• Lending platforms with frequent payouts
• Any crypto product promising “realistic” returns
• Comparing two offers fairly

The Math Behind It

APY formula: APY = (1 + r/n)^(n*t) - 1

Where:

• r = annual rate
• n = compounding periods per year
• t = time in years

Real scenario: Two platforms both offer 6% “returns”

• Platform A: Monthly compounds → 6.17% APY
• Platform B: Quarterly compounds → 6.14% APY

Frequency matters. More compounds = higher actual returns.

The Catch

1. High APR doesn’t always mean good: Some sketchy platforms use high APR to hide risk. Check the sustainability.
2. APY can be misleading too: If a platform is losing money, even with compounding, that APY number is temporary.
3. Always check the actual mechanics: How often do payouts happen? Can you withdraw anytime? Are there fees?

Quick Checklist for Evaluating Crypto Yields

• Spot which metric they’re quoting (APR or APY?)
• Calculate what APY actually is if only APR is shown
• Compare platforms using the same metric
• Account for gas fees, lock-up periods, and exit costs
• Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

Bottom line: APY is almost always more honest than APR when evaluating crypto returns. But honest numbers on an unstable platform are still just optimistic fiction. Do your research.