Delegation Bond
A delegation bond represents the amount of cryptocurrency tokens that a user commits to a specific validator to support their stake in a Proof of Stake network. By bonding these tokens, the user increases the validator total stake, which directly influences the validator chance of being selected to produce the next block.
This process is a fundamental component of network security, as it aligns the economic interests of the delegator with the integrity of the validator. In many systems, bonded tokens are subject to a lock-up period, meaning they cannot be immediately withdrawn or traded.
This creates a liquidity trade-off for the user in exchange for earning staking rewards. If a validator acts maliciously, a portion of the bonded stake may be subject to slashing, resulting in a loss of funds.
Therefore, the delegation bond acts as both an investment vehicle and a security deposit for the network.