# Overview

Liquid staking is an advanced staking method that allows users to stake their tokens while retaining liquidity. Unlike traditional staking, where assets remain locked, liquid staking provides a tokenized representation of the staked asset—known as a Liquid Staking Token (LST)—which can be freely used within DeFi ecosystems. This enables users to earn staking rewards while simultaneously engaging in additional yield-generating activities, such as lending, borrowing, and liquidity provision.

## The Mantle Network: An Ethereum Layer 2 Scaling Solution

Mantle is a cutting-edge Layer 2 (L2) scaling solution built on the Ethereum network, designed to enhance transaction throughput, reduce fees, and support seamless DeFi integration. By leveraging advanced rollup technology, Mantle achieves high scalability without compromising on security, as all transaction data is ultimately secured by the Ethereum mainnet.

## Key Features of Mantle Network

* **High Throughput:** Mantle processes thousands of transactions per second (TPS), significantly improving upon Ethereum’s base layer capacity.
* **Low Transaction Fees:** By batching transactions and using efficient data compression, Mantle drastically reduces gas costs for users.
* **EVM Compatibility:** Mantle is fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing for the easy deployment of existing smart contracts and dApps.
* **Robust Security:** Mantle inherits the security of the Ethereum network, ensuring that all transactions are verifiable and resistant to attacks.
* **Seamless DeFi Integration:** The network is optimized for DeFi applications, enabling fast, cost-effective interactions across protocols.

## The Role of The MNT Token in Mantle's Ecosystem

The MNT token is the native token of the Mantle Network, serving as the backbone of the ecosystem. MNT plays a pivotal role in network operations, governance, and utility across DeFi applications.

**Primary Functions of the MNT Token:**

1. **Payment of Gas Fees:**

Every transaction on the Mantle Network requires gas fees to compensate validators for processing and securing transactions. MNT is used as the currency for these fees, ensuring smooth network operations. This incentivizes validators to maintain network integrity and provides a source of demand for the token.

2. **Governance and Network Upgrades**:

MNT holders have the power to participate in the decentralized governance of the Mantle Network. Through a voting mechanism, holders can delegate and vote on key network decisions, including but not limited to:

Protocol upgrades and improvements.&#x20;

&#x20;Adoption of new technologies or partnerships.

3. **DeFi and Utility:**

MNT is a versatile asset within the DeFi landscape of Mantle. With multiple utility functions and use cases such as:

Liquidity provisioning, Lending and Borrowing, Governance voting, Rewards station participation, etc...

The MNT token serves as the cornerstone of the Mantle Network, enabling secure, efficient, and scalable operations across the ecosystem. And the best part? It leaves room for utility and use cases enhancements.
