BFT Ledger Immutability

Definition ∞ BFT Ledger Immutability refers to a distributed ledger’s property where once data is recorded, it cannot be altered or removed. This characteristic is achieved through Byzantine Fault Tolerance protocols, which ensure that even if a subset of network participants acts maliciously or fails, the integrity of the ledger remains preserved. The cryptographic linking of blocks, combined with BFT consensus, renders historical transaction data unchangeable, providing a high degree of data permanence and auditability. This fundamental security feature is critical for trust in decentralized systems and digital assets.
Context ∞ BFT ledger immutability is a core assurance in many modern blockchain systems, distinguishing them from traditional databases. Ongoing discussions often center on balancing this immutability with potential needs for legal compliance or error correction in specific applications. The continued advancement of BFT algorithms seeks to enhance both the speed and scalability of immutable ledgers without compromising their foundational security guarantees.