Economic Security Models

Definition ∞ Economic Security Models are the mechanisms and incentives designed to protect a blockchain network from malicious activity and ensure its integrity. These models typically involve cryptoeconomic principles, such as staking or mining rewards, that align participants’ interests with the network’s security. They aim to make the cost of attacking the system prohibitively high. Effective economic security models are fundamental to maintaining trust and reliability in decentralized systems.
Context ∞ News often covers updates and analyses of different economic security models, particularly in relation to proof-of-stake and proof-of-work protocols. Debates focus on the effectiveness of various incentive structures and their resilience against potential attacks. Future research explores novel consensus mechanisms and methods for quantifying network security. The strength of these models directly impacts a blockchain’s resistance to censorship and double-spending.