Definition ∞ A Probabilistic Guarantee provides an assurance that an event will occur or a condition will hold true with a very high degree of statistical certainty, rather than absolute certainty. In blockchain contexts, it often refers to the decreasing likelihood of a transaction being reverted as more blocks are added to the chain. While not mathematically absolute, the probability of reversal becomes infinitesimally small over time. This form of assurance is a fundamental aspect of Nakamoto consensus mechanisms.
Context ∞ Probabilistic Guarantee is a key concept in news explaining transaction finality on proof-of-work blockchains like Bitcoin. Debates often concern the number of confirmations required for practical finality and the security trade-offs involved. Research into alternative consensus mechanisms often seeks to achieve stronger, more immediate forms of finality.
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