Definition ∞ Commit-then-Reveal is a cryptographic protocol used to ensure fairness in certain digital interactions, particularly in auctions or games. Participants first submit a “commit” value, which is a hashed or encrypted representation of their actual choice, and later “reveal” their true selection. This method prevents participants from altering their decisions based on others’ submissions after initial commitments are made.
Context ∞ The Commit-then-Reveal mechanism is frequently discussed in the context of privacy-preserving decentralized applications and fair online gaming protocols. News regarding its implementation often relates to ensuring equitable outcomes in blind auctions for digital assets or preventing front-running in decentralized exchanges. Future developments may involve its integration into more complex zero-knowledge proof systems to enhance privacy and security in verifiable computations.