# DeFi vs. PoS Staking The term ‘staking’ stems directly from the Proof-of-stake blockchain consensus mechanism and is an inherent part of chains’ functionality and governance mechanisms. However, it has also been used in DeFi in relation to non-PoS blockchains. For example, Binance offers DeFi staking of Bitcoin (PoW). The term has evolved to mean earning yields on any capital temporarily locked into staking pools and vaults. It is sometimes confused with providing liquidity and liquidity mining through DeFi protocols. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://whitepaper.trustednode.io/industry-backdrop/defi-vs.-pos-staking.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.