Definition ∞ An arbitrary state change refers to an alteration of a blockchain’s data that is not governed by the protocol’s predefined rules. This type of modification lacks the standard cryptographic validation or consensus mechanism typically required for legitimate updates. Such changes deviate from the deterministic execution expected within a distributed ledger system.
Context ∞ Discussions surrounding arbitrary state changes often surface in crypto news when security vulnerabilities or protocol governance issues are reported. These situations raise concerns about the integrity and immutability of a blockchain, particularly if an unauthorized entity gains control to alter historical transaction data. Maintaining a system resistant to arbitrary state changes remains a central tenet of decentralized network security.
Blockchain Knowledge
Cryptocurrency Foundation
Cryptospace Newsfeed
