Monotonic Block Ranks

Definition ∞ Monotonic Block Ranks refer to a property in certain blockchain architectures where each new block added to the chain is assigned a rank that is strictly greater than the rank of the preceding block. This sequential ordering ensures a clear, unambiguous progression of the ledger. It provides a consistent and verifiable history of transactions. This property is key for maintaining chain integrity.
Context ∞ The concept of monotonic block ranks is essential for maintaining integrity and preventing forks in distributed ledger systems, particularly in consensus mechanisms that prioritize finality and deterministic ordering. Research in this area often explores how to achieve strong monotonicity guarantees while simultaneously optimizing for throughput and decentralization in high-performance blockchain designs.