Commit-Reveal Schemes

Definition ∞ Commit-reveal schemes are cryptographic protocols used in digital systems to ensure fairness and prevent certain types of cheating. Participants first “commit” to a secret value, and then later “reveal” it, allowing for verification without disclosing the value prematurely. This two-phase process is vital for secure online interactions.
Context ∞ Commit-reveal schemes are currently discussed in the context of secure multi-party computation and fair online auctions or lotteries. The primary concern is ensuring that no party can gain an unfair advantage by observing other participants’ actions before making their own commitment. Ongoing research aims to optimize these schemes for greater efficiency and broader applicability in decentralized applications.