Multi-Round Protocols

Definition ∞ Multi-round protocols are cryptographic or consensus algorithms that require several exchanges of messages or computational steps between participants to reach a final outcome. Unlike single-round interactions, these protocols build security or agreement iteratively. Each round typically processes partial information, contributing to the eventual secure state or consensus decision. This iterative process often enhances robustness against adversarial actions.
Context ∞ Multi-round protocols are common in distributed systems and blockchain technology, especially for complex tasks like secure multi-party computation or advanced consensus mechanisms. Discussions in crypto news often compare the security guarantees of multi-round protocols against their communication overhead and latency. Optimizations to reduce the number of rounds are a constant focus for improving network efficiency and transaction finality.