Definition ∞ Computation overhead refers to the additional processing requirements beyond the core task itself. In blockchain networks, this includes the resources consumed by cryptographic operations, consensus mechanisms, and data propagation. Such supplementary computational effort is essential for maintaining network security, data integrity, and decentralized operation, but it can also influence transaction throughput and latency.
Context ∞ Discussions surrounding computation overhead frequently appear in news regarding blockchain scalability and efficiency improvements. Protocols aiming for wider adoption often prioritize reducing this overhead through layer-2 solutions or more efficient consensus algorithms. The trade-off between security assurances and computational cost remains a central consideration for digital asset platforms.