Equivocation Resistance

Definition ∞ Equivocation resistance is a property of a blockchain consensus protocol that prevents participants from signing conflicting messages or endorsing multiple, incompatible versions of the transaction history. This mechanism ensures that any attempt to broadcast contradictory information is detectable and often penalized. It upholds the integrity and immutability of the ledger. This property is vital for maintaining a single, agreed-upon chain history.
Context ∞ This property is a central concern in proof-of-stake (PoS) protocols, where validators could potentially benefit from proposing divergent block histories. Designing robust equivocation resistance mechanisms, often through slashing penalties, is vital for maintaining network security and trust. News often reports on protocol updates that strengthen these critical safeguards.