Consensus Timebounds

Definition ∞ Consensus Timebounds define the maximum permissible duration for a network to reach agreement on the state of its ledger. These parameters establish a specific window within which validators must confirm and finalize transactions and blocks. Exceeding these limits can result in forks or a halt in network progression. Strict timebounds are essential for maintaining predictable block finality.
Context ∞ Consensus timebounds are a key technical specification frequently discussed during blockchain protocol upgrades, particularly in proof-of-stake systems aiming for faster finality. Optimizing these timeframes involves balancing network decentralization with transaction throughput and security requirements. The ongoing objective is to reduce latency without compromising the integrity of the distributed ledger.