Staked Collateral
Staked collateral is the asset value that participants must lock into a smart contract to gain the right to perform specific network functions, such as sequencing or validating. This collateral serves as a security deposit that can be slashed if the participant acts maliciously or fails to fulfill their duties.
It is a critical component of Proof of Stake and various layer two security mechanisms. By putting their own capital at risk, participants are financially incentivized to perform their tasks accurately and reliably.
The amount of collateral required is often proportional to the influence or risk associated with the participant's role. It creates a direct link between the network's economic value and its technical security.
Staked collateral is the foundational layer of trust in many modern blockchain protocols.