Definition ∞ Incentive compatibility design involves creating systems where individual participants acting in their own self-interest also contribute to the desired collective outcome of the system. In blockchain protocols, this means structuring rewards and penalties to align validator or miner behavior with network security and integrity. It ensures that honest participation is the most rational choice. Such design is fundamental to robust decentralized systems.
Context ∞ Incentive compatibility design is a core challenge in blockchain protocol development, particularly in proof-of-stake systems where validator behavior directly impacts network health. Continuous research explores optimal economic models to prevent collusion and selfish mining or validating. The effectiveness of these designs directly influences the long-term stability and security of decentralized networks.
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