Markov Decision Process

Definition ∞ Markov Decision Process is a mathematical framework for modeling decision-making in situations where outcomes are partly random and partly under the control of a decision maker. It involves states, actions, transition probabilities, and rewards, providing a structured approach to sequential decision problems. In blockchain contexts, it can analyze miner behavior, network security, or optimal staking strategies. This process helps optimize long-term outcomes given uncertain future states.
Context ∞ The discussion surrounding Markov Decision Process applications in crypto often focuses on optimizing protocol design and understanding economic incentives. A key debate involves the accuracy of modeling real-world, often unpredictable, agent behaviors within a probabilistic framework. Future developments will likely involve more complex MDP implementations to address advanced game theory scenarios and multi-agent interactions in decentralized systems.