Express Consensus

Definition ∞ Express consensus refers to a highly efficient and rapid method of achieving agreement among nodes in a distributed ledger network, often bypassing some of the more resource-intensive steps of traditional consensus protocols. This approach aims to significantly accelerate transaction finality and overall network throughput. It is typically employed in specific contexts where speed is prioritized, often with certain trade-offs regarding decentralization or security guarantees. Such mechanisms are critical for high-frequency applications.
Context ∞ The pursuit of express consensus mechanisms is a key area of development for blockchains seeking to achieve enterprise-grade transaction speeds and support real-time applications. While offering substantial performance benefits, the design of these protocols requires careful consideration of their security implications and resistance to malicious attacks. Balancing speed with the fundamental principles of decentralization and immutability remains a central challenge in this domain.