Definition ∞ Partially Synchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) describes a class of consensus protocols that operate under network conditions where message delivery times are usually bounded but can occasionally exceed these bounds. This model provides a practical balance between the strong guarantees of synchronous systems and the resilience of asynchronous systems. It ensures both safety and liveness, even when a minority of nodes behave maliciously. This approach offers robustness for decentralized networks.
Context ∞ Partially Synchronous BFT protocols are widely implemented in modern proof-of-stake blockchains, including many prominent layer-1 networks, due to their ability to achieve high transaction throughput with strong security. Debates often focus on the specific timing assumptions and the number of Byzantine nodes a protocol can tolerate. Continued research aims to optimize these protocols for greater efficiency and resilience in real-world network environments.
Blockchain Knowledge
Cryptocurrency Foundation
Cryptospace Newsfeed
