What Is the Role of a Validator in a PoS Network Compared to a Miner in a PoW Network?

A miner in a Proof-of-Work network expends computational power to solve a cryptographic puzzle, which validates transactions and creates new blocks. A validator in a Proof-of-Stake network does not mine but rather locks up (stakes) their coins as collateral to gain the right to propose and attest to new blocks.

Both roles are essential for securing the network and earning rewards, but the PoS validator's role is purely economic and computational, not reliant on energy expenditure and specialized hardware.