Staking in the cryptocurrency world involves locking up tokens as collateral to secure blockchain networks or smart contract protocols, often linked with DeFi liquidity, rewards, and governance. The process, especially prominent in Proof of Stake (PoS) blockchains, involves validators staking tokens to add new blocks and earn rewards, with penalties for protocol violations. Distinct from Proof of Work (PoW), where miners compete using computational power, PoS emphasizes the quantity of staked tokens. This mechanism extends to Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS), allowing token holders to delegate their tokens for shared rewards. DeFi protocols employ staking for various purposes, such as providing insurance, governance, liquidity, and token issuance, with economic incentives structured around transaction fees and block rewards. Staking mechanisms in decentralized oracle networks differ, focusing on generating reliable external data reports, with Chainlink being a notable example striving to enhance security and customizability through staking. As staking becomes more integrated into smart contract ecosystems, it continues to play a crucial role in ensuring the security and economic sustainability of both blockchain and oracle networks.