Description: Gas fees are a fundamental concept in the realm of decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain technology. It refers to the amount of native cryptocurrency that a user must pay to perform a transaction or execute a smart contract on a blockchain. This fee is essential to incentivize validators or miners to process and confirm transactions, thereby ensuring the integrity and security of the network. Gas fees vary depending on network congestion and the complexity of the operation being performed. Generally, the higher the gas fee paid, the faster the transaction will be processed. This mechanism not only regulates the flow of transactions on the network but also helps prevent spam and resource abuse. In the context of proof of stake, gas fees can influence the profitability of validators, as they are part of their income. Therefore, understanding how gas fees work is crucial for any user looking to interact with DeFi applications or participate in networks that utilize blockchain technology.