Authenticated Data Structures

Definition ∞ Authenticated data structures are data organizations that allow a party to commit to a data structure and then provide short proofs that specific queries on the data structure are correct. These structures enable a verifier to confirm the integrity and validity of data without possessing the entire dataset. They ensure that data has not been tampered with or misrepresented.
Context ∞ Authenticated data structures are foundational to the efficiency and security of many blockchain systems, including light clients and stateless blockchains. Merkle trees are a prime example, allowing for efficient verification of transaction inclusion in a block. Advancements in this area aim to reduce proof sizes and verification times, supporting greater scalability and decentralization in digital asset networks.