Plain-English definition
On proof-of-stake chains, holders lock tokens to back the network's security and earn rewards in return. Misbehave and part of the stake can be slashed.
Staking yield is one of the few yields with an honest source: it is paid by the protocol for real work, securing the chain, rather than printed to lure deposits.
Why it matters
Staking matters because crypto markets can look precise while still being shallow, crowded, or poorly sourced. A useful read is not just the number. It is the number, the size behind it, the context around it, and the part it cannot explain.
Simple example
A simple Staking example is a reader comparing two venues with the same headline price but different depth. The deeper venue can absorb more capital before the trade, peg, or yield reading starts to move against the user.
How Bathymark uses this term
Bathymark uses Staking to translate open market data into live liquidity readings. When the term touches a live page, the reading links back to the relevant chain, protocol, stablecoin, DEX, perps, or Signal so the source remains checkable.
Common mistake
The common mistake is treating Staking as a complete signal by itself. Bathymark treats it as one instrument: useful when read beside liquidity, source, size, and what the number cannot prove.