Investors are increasingly moving from cloud mining to staking platforms like Poain in 2026, driven by the growing appeal of altcoins. A 2025 report by CryptoNinjas highlights the declining interest in cloud mining due to rising difficulty levels, scams, and lack of transparency. In contrast, staking platforms offer better liquidity, lower costs, and more predictable returns. Poain, a notable staking platform, allows users to start with as little as $100 and offers a $15 welcome bonus, making it an attractive option for new investors. The shift is further supported by the fear and greed index, which has leaned towards caution, encouraging more capital to flow into staking. The collapse of over 30 cloud mining firms in 2025 has also reinforced this trend.