Definition ∞ Manipulation Resistance describes a system’s ability to prevent unauthorized or unfair interference with its operations or data. In decentralized networks, this property ensures that no single entity or coordinated group can unilaterally alter transaction history, censor information, or unfairly influence outcomes. It is a fundamental characteristic of secure and trustworthy blockchain systems.
Context ∞ Ensuring manipulation resistance is a primary design goal for blockchain protocols, particularly in consensus mechanisms like Proof of Stake. Economic incentives and cryptographic techniques are deployed to deter malicious behavior and maintain network integrity. Ongoing research aims to enhance this resistance against increasingly sophisticated attacks, preserving the reliability and impartiality of decentralized ledgers.