Guardian Sets

Definition ∞ Guardian Sets are designated groups of entities or individuals responsible for overseeing specific operations or security functions within a blockchain protocol. These sets act as a safeguard against malicious activity, system failures, or unauthorized state changes. They typically operate with multi-signature controls or a predefined consensus mechanism among themselves to approve critical actions.
Context ∞ Commonly seen in cross-chain bridges or specialized Layer 2 solutions, guardian sets provide an additional layer of security and operational control. The composition, selection process, and governance mechanisms of these sets are critical points of discussion for system integrity. Balancing their authority with overall decentralization remains a key challenge in protocol design.