State Transition Verification

Definition ∞ State transition verification is the process of confirming that a blockchain transaction correctly alters the network’s state according to predefined rules. This involves cryptographically checking that inputs are valid, computations are executed accurately, and the resulting output state is consistent with the protocol specifications. It is fundamental to maintaining the integrity and security of a blockchain.
Context ∞ State transition verification is a core function of all blockchain nodes, ensuring the correctness of every block added to the chain. For Layer 2 solutions, the discussion often involves offloading this verification to specialized provers who generate concise cryptographic proofs for Layer 1. Future advancements in zero-knowledge proofs aim to make state transition verification even more efficient and scalable, reducing the computational burden on full nodes.