Consensus Throughput

Definition ∞ Consensus throughput refers to the maximum number of transactions or operations a blockchain network can process and finalize within a given timeframe. It measures the network’s efficiency and scalability, directly impacting how many users or applications it can support concurrently. Higher consensus throughput generally indicates a more performant and scalable distributed ledger system. This metric is a key determinant of a blockchain’s practical utility.
Context ∞ Improving consensus throughput is a primary objective for many blockchain development teams seeking to enhance network scalability and user experience. Discussions in crypto news frequently highlight new consensus mechanisms, sharding implementations, or layer-2 solutions designed to increase this metric. The ability to achieve high throughput without compromising decentralization or security remains a significant challenge. Different blockchain architectures are continually evaluated based on their performance in this area.