Hybrid Consensus Protocol

Definition ∞ A hybrid consensus protocol combines elements from two or more distinct consensus mechanisms to achieve network agreement. For example, it might merge aspects of proof-of-work for security with proof-of-stake for efficiency. The objective is to leverage the strengths of different approaches while mitigating their individual weaknesses. This design aims to optimize for decentralization, security, and scalability simultaneously.
Context ∞ Hybrid consensus protocols are a subject of ongoing development in the blockchain space, seeking to overcome the limitations of single-mechanism designs. News often highlights projects experimenting with combinations to enhance transaction throughput or reduce energy consumption. The efficacy of these hybrid models in practice and their long-term security properties remain areas of active research and evaluation.