Security Assumption

Definition ∞ A security assumption is a foundational premise about the behavior of participants or the capabilities of attackers that a cryptographic protocol or blockchain system relies upon for its security guarantees. These assumptions might include the difficulty of solving certain mathematical problems, the honest majority of network participants, or the availability of sufficient computational power. If a security assumption is violated, the integrity or safety of the system could be compromised. Protocols are designed with specific assumptions in mind.
Context ∞ Security assumptions are regularly discussed in cryptocurrency news, particularly when new protocols are introduced or existing ones face scrutiny. Reports often analyze the robustness of a blockchain’s security model by examining its underlying assumptions and how well they hold up under various attack scenarios. Debates frequently arise regarding the practicality and verifiability of these assumptions, especially concerning the economic incentives and game theory involved in decentralized networks.