Define ‘Decentralized Oracle’ in the Context of Smart Contracts.
A decentralized oracle is a third-party service that provides smart contracts with external, real-world data, such as asset prices, weather, or event outcomes. It is 'decentralized' because it uses multiple independent data sources and validators to ensure data integrity and prevent a single point of failure.
Oracles are essential for executing derivatives contracts that rely on off-chain information.