Consensus Integrity

Definition ∞ Consensus integrity refers to the trustworthiness and immutability of the process by which a distributed network agrees on the validity of transactions and the state of the ledger. It ensures that all participants in a blockchain network adhere to predefined rules, preventing fraudulent or unauthorized alterations to the shared record. Maintaining this integrity is fundamental for the security and reliability of any decentralized system.
Context ∞ News concerning consensus integrity often arises when discussions revolve around network security, potential forks, or attacks like a 51% attack. Ensuring consensus integrity is paramount for maintaining user confidence and the functional viability of blockchains, as any compromise can undermine the foundational trust upon which these systems are built.