Randomized Consensus

Definition ∞ Randomized consensus is a category of blockchain consensus mechanisms that utilize cryptographic randomness to select validators or block producers for network operations. This approach aims to improve decentralization and security by making the selection process unpredictable and resistant to manipulation. It reduces the likelihood of a single entity gaining persistent control over block creation.
Context ∞ The application of randomized consensus mechanisms is a subject of ongoing research and implementation in efforts to scale and secure blockchain networks. Debates often focus on achieving a proper balance between cryptographic randomness, network latency, and transaction finality. Observing the performance and security audits of protocols utilizing randomized consensus provides crucial data on the viability of these advanced validation strategies.