Definition ∞ Network hashes refer to the computational power, measured in hashes per second, that a blockchain network’s miners or validators dedicate to processing transactions and securing the ledger. This collective computing effort is known as the network’s hash rate or hashing power. A higher network hash rate generally indicates greater security against certain types of attacks, such as 51% attacks. It reflects the overall health and decentralization of a proof-of-work blockchain.
Context ∞ Crypto news frequently reports on changes in network hashes, particularly for Bitcoin, as an indicator of miner activity, profitability, and network security. Discussions often concern the environmental impact of energy-intensive hashing operations and the geographic distribution of mining power. A critical future development involves innovations in energy-efficient mining hardware and the transition of more networks to less energy-intensive consensus mechanisms.
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