Verifiable State Query

Definition ∞ A verifiable state query allows a user to request specific information about a blockchain’s current state and receive a cryptographic proof confirming the accuracy of that data. This proof enables the user to independently verify the query result without trusting the data provider. It ensures that the information received is consistent with the blockchain’s established state. This enhances security and reduces reliance on third parties.
Context ∞ Verifiable state queries are critical for the functionality of light clients and cross-chain communication protocols, allowing them to securely access and validate information from other chains. This capability is essential for decentralized applications that need to react to external blockchain states reliably. Research continues to optimize the efficiency and compactness of these proofs to support a wider range of queries and applications.