Distributed Computing Fairness

Definition ∞ Distributed Computing Fairness refers to the principle that all participating nodes or entities in a decentralized network receive equitable treatment and access to computational resources or rewards. This ensures that no single participant or group can unfairly dominate transaction processing, block production, or resource allocation. Achieving distributed computing fairness is crucial for maintaining the integrity, security, and decentralization of blockchain systems. It prevents monopolies and promotes broad participation.
Context ∞ Distributed computing fairness is a critical design consideration for new blockchain protocols and ongoing network upgrades, particularly concerning consensus mechanisms and transaction ordering. Debates often address how to best implement and measure fairness in practice, especially in the presence of economic incentives or differing computational capacities. Ensuring this fairness is vital for the long-term health and decentralization of digital asset networks.