# What Is the Difference between "Active Staking" and "Delegated Staking" in a DON? ⎊ Path

**Published:** 2025-12-05
**Author:** Greeks.live
**Categories:** Path

---

## What Is the Difference between “Active Staking” and “Delegated Staking” in a DON?

Active staking requires the token holder to run their own oracle node, performing the data fetching and reporting duties. Delegated staking allows a token holder to delegate their tokens to a professional node operator.

The delegator earns a share of the node's rewards but also shares the risk of being slashed. Delegated staking allows non-technical users to participate in the network's security.

- [What Is the Staking Mechanism for Node Operators in a DON?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/what-is-the-staking-mechanism-for-node-operators-in-a-don/)

- [How Does the Mark-to-Market Election (Section 475) Change the Ordinary Vs. Capital Income Distinction?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/how-does-the-mark-to-market-election-section-475-change-the-ordinary-vs-capital-income-distinction/)

- [How Does a “Delegated Staking” Model Work in an Oracle Network?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/how-does-a-delegated-staking-model-work-in-an-oracle-network/)

- [What Are the Similarities and Differences between a Stablecoin Run and a Traditional Bank Run?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/what-are-the-similarities-and-differences-between-a-stablecoin-run-and-a-traditional-bank-run/)

- [How Does the Concept of “Delegated Voting” Impact the Valuation of a Governance Token?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/how-does-the-concept-of-delegated-voting-impact-the-valuation-of-a-governance-token/)

- [What Are the Risks of Low Voter Participation in Token Governance?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/what-are-the-risks-of-low-voter-participation-in-token-governance/)

- [How Does the DPoS Model Attempt to Solve the Low Participation Problem in Governance?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/how-does-the-dpos-model-attempt-to-solve-the-low-participation-problem-in-governance/)

- [Does the Short-Term/long-Term Distinction Apply to a Professional Trader?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/does-the-short-term-long-term-distinction-apply-to-a-professional-trader/)

## Glossar

### [Staking](https://learn.greeks.live/area/staking/?utm_source=crypto.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite)

Yield ⎊ Staking, within cryptocurrency ecosystems, represents a mechanism for participants to earn rewards by actively participating in the operation of a blockchain network, typically by locking up their crypto assets for a defined period.

### [Delegated Staking](https://learn.greeks.live/area/delegated-staking/?utm_source=crypto.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite)

Mechanism ⎊ Delegated staking represents a participation model within Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchains, enabling token holders to contribute to network consensus without directly operating validator nodes.

## Discover More

### [What Is the Difference between Front-Running in CEXs and DEXs?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/what-is-the-difference-between-front-running-in-cexs-and-dexs/?utm_source=crypto.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite)
![What Is the Difference between Front-Running in CEXs and DEXs?](https://learn.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bespoke-Algorithmic-Trading-Mechanism-Revealing-Internal-Actuator-Dynamics-For-Decentralized-Finance-Primitives.webp)

CEX front-running is insider trading using confidential data and is illegal. DEX front-running is algorithmic MEV exploiting public mempool data.

### [How Is 'Reputation Scoring' Used to Secure a DON?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/how-is-reputation-scoring-used-to-secure-a-don/?utm_source=crypto.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite)
![How Is 'Reputation Scoring' Used to Secure a DON?](https://learn.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Macro-Illumination-of-Digital-Asset-Volatility-Surface-Monitoring-AquaTinged-Indicator-Line.webp)

Assigns a score based on node accuracy and timeliness, weighting trusted nodes higher and penalizing dishonest ones.

### [What Is the Difference between a "Share" and a "Valid Block Solution"?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/what-is-the-difference-between-a-share-and-a-valid-block-solution/?utm_source=crypto.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite)
![What Is the Difference between a "Share" and a "Valid Block Solution"?](https://learn.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Macro-View-of-Token-Collateralization-Mechanism-Securing-Decentralized-Finance-Options-Structures.webp)

A share meets the pool's low difficulty target; a valid block solution meets the network's high difficulty target and earns the reward.

### [What Is the Primary Difference between an Algorithmic and a Fiat-Backed Stablecoin's Peg Mechanism?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/what-is-the-primary-difference-between-an-algorithmic-and-a-fiat-backed-stablecoins-peg-mechanism/?utm_source=crypto.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite)
![What Is the Primary Difference between an Algorithmic and a Fiat-Backed Stablecoin's Peg Mechanism?](https://learn.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Macro-View-of-a-DeFi-Protocol-Governance-Token-Mechanism-Interface-Featuring-Volatility-Swaption-Strike-Adjustment.webp)

Fiat-backed uses off-chain 1:1 reserves; algorithmic uses on-chain supply adjustment mechanisms and a second token.

### [What Is the Difference between an OTC Derivative and an Exchange-Traded Derivative?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/what-is-the-difference-between-an-otc-derivative-and-an-exchange-traded-derivative/?utm_source=crypto.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite)
![What Is the Difference between an OTC Derivative and an Exchange-Traded Derivative?](https://learn.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Crystalline-Ledger-Constructs-Intersecting-Aqua-Digital-Asset-Collateralization-Instruments.webp)

OTC is customized and private; Exchange-traded is standardized and public with a clearing house.

### [What Is the Difference between Cross Margin and Isolated Margin in Perpetual Swap Trading?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/what-is-the-difference-between-cross-margin-and-isolated-margin-in-perpetual-swap-trading/?utm_source=crypto.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite)
![What Is the Difference between Cross Margin and Isolated Margin in Perpetual Swap Trading?](https://learn.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Crystalline-Bifurcation-Balancing-Volatile-Digital-Asset-Swaption-Payoffs-Across-Impermanent-Loss-Vectors.webp)

Isolated margin limits collateral to one position; cross margin uses the entire account balance as collateral for all positions.

### [What Is the Difference between a Covered and a Naked Option Writer?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/what-is-the-difference-between-a-covered-and-a-naked-option-writer/?utm_source=crypto.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite)
![What Is the Difference between a Covered and a Naked Option Writer?](https://learn.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Fractalized-Digital-Asset-Exchange-Mechanism-Representing-Volatility-Surface-Discretization.webp)

Covered writer holds the underlying asset to offset risk; Naked writer does not, facing potentially unlimited loss.

### [What Is the Difference between a Time-Weighted Average Price (TWAP) and a Spot Price Feed?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/what-is-the-difference-between-a-time-weighted-average-price-twap-and-a-spot-price-feed/?utm_source=crypto.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite)
![What Is the Difference between a Time-Weighted Average Price (TWAP) and a Spot Price Feed?](https://learn.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Symmetric-Bifurcation-Visualization-of-Cryptocurrency-Volatility-Surface-and-Option-Gamma-Exposure-Dynamics.webp)

Spot price is the current price; TWAP is the average price over time, used to mitigate manipulation.

### [What Is the Difference between an 'On-Chain' and 'Off-Chain' Consensus Mechanism for an Oracle?](https://learn.greeks.live/path/what-is-the-difference-between-an-on-chain-and-off-chain-consensus-mechanism-for-an-oracle/?utm_source=crypto.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite)
![What Is the Difference between an 'On-Chain' and 'Off-Chain' Consensus Mechanism for an Oracle?](https://learn.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Microscopic-Analysis-of-Glass-Orb-Volatility-Index-Equilibrium-on-Collateralized-Derivative-Instruments.webp)

Off-Chain = Speed/Cost; On-Chain = Transparency/Cost (Execution Location)

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**Original URL:** https://learn.greeks.live/learn/what-is-the-difference-between-active-staking-and-delegated-staking-in-a-don/
