Explain the Concept of “Staking” and “Slashing” within an Oracle Network

Staking involves Oracle node operators locking up a certain amount of the network's native token as collateral to participate in data provision. Slashing is the penalty mechanism where a portion or all of a node operator's staked tokens are confiscated if they submit inaccurate, malicious, or unavailable data.

This cryptoeconomic incentive structure ensures that the cost of misbehavior (slashing) outweighs the potential profit from manipulation, thereby enforcing data reliability.