Consensus Level Properties

Definition ∞ Consensus Level Properties refer to the fundamental characteristics and guarantees provided by a blockchain’s consensus mechanism. These properties include aspects such as transaction finality, network liveness, and the system’s resilience against various attack vectors. They define the core reliability and security assurances that a decentralized ledger offers to its users and applications. These attributes are central to the integrity of the blockchain.
Context ∞ Evaluating Consensus Level Properties is crucial for assessing the security and performance of any blockchain network. Protocol upgrades often aim to enhance specific properties, such as improving finality speed or increasing resistance to censorship. The ongoing discourse in the digital asset space frequently examines how different consensus algorithms uphold these critical assurances, impacting their suitability for various use cases.