Consensus Rules

Definition ∞ Consensus rules are the fundamental protocols that all participants in a decentralized network must follow to maintain agreement on the state of the ledger. These rules govern how transactions are validated, blocks are created, and the blockchain’s history is established. Adherence to these rules ensures the integrity and security of the distributed system. Any deviation results in a participant being excluded from the network.
Context ∞ Consensus rules are a frequent topic in cryptocurrency news, especially during discussions of protocol upgrades or hard forks. Debates often center on proposed changes to these rules and their potential impact on network security, decentralization, or scalability. Understanding these rules is essential for comprehending the foundational operation of any blockchain.