The strongest chain rule is a principle in certain blockchain protocols, predominantly proof-of-work systems, which dictates that the valid chain is the one that has accumulated the most computational work. In the event of a fork, nodes follow the chain with the highest difficulty, as it represents the greatest expenditure of mining effort. This rule ensures network agreement on the canonical history.
Context
This rule is fundamental to the security and operation of Bitcoin and other proof-of-work cryptocurrencies. News often references the strongest chain rule when discussing network forks, 51% attacks, or consensus issues. It serves as a robust mechanism for resolving discrepancies and maintaining the integrity of the distributed ledger against malicious attempts to alter history.
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