Set Consensus Protocol

Definition ∞ A Set Consensus Protocol is a specific type of agreement mechanism used in distributed systems, including blockchains, where a predetermined group of participants collectively validates and orders transactions. Unlike open consensus systems, membership in the validating set is typically restricted or permissioned. This approach can offer higher transaction throughput and faster finality compared to more decentralized methods. It is often employed in private or consortium blockchains.
Context ∞ The debate surrounding Set Consensus Protocols often centers on the trade-offs between decentralization and performance in blockchain networks. While they can deliver efficiency gains, concerns regarding censorship resistance and trust assumptions frequently arise. News articles sometimes discuss the adoption of these protocols in enterprise blockchain solutions or specific Layer 2 scaling initiatives, where controlled participation is deemed acceptable for certain use cases.