Block Finality Guarantee

Definition ∞ A block finality guarantee refers to the assurance within a blockchain protocol that once a block is added to the chain, it will remain permanently irreversible. This provides users with confidence that their transactions are settled and cannot be altered or undone. The strength of this guarantee varies across different consensus mechanisms. It is a critical attribute for security and trust in decentralized ledgers.
Context ∞ The concept of block finality is frequently debated in cryptocurrency news, especially when comparing various blockchain architectures and their security models. Protocols aiming for instant or fast finality often attract attention due to their implications for real-world payment systems and decentralized finance. Regulatory bodies also scrutinize finality guarantees when assessing the suitability of digital assets for mainstream adoption.