Public Key Aggregation

Definition ∞ Public key aggregation is a cryptographic technique that combines multiple public keys into a single, compact representation. This method allows a single aggregate public key to represent a group of individual public keys, significantly reducing the data size required for verification. It is particularly useful in systems requiring many participants to sign transactions, such as multi-signature schemes or proof-of-stake blockchains. The primary advantage lies in improving efficiency and scalability by compressing cryptographic data.
Context ∞ Public key aggregation is a focus of advanced cryptographic research aimed at enhancing the efficiency of blockchain networks. News often covers its implementation in next-generation protocols seeking to optimize block space and transaction processing. The current discourse evaluates the security assumptions and computational overhead associated with various aggregation algorithms.