Weighted Consensus

Definition ∞ Weighted consensus is a type of agreement protocol in a distributed system where the voting power or influence of participants is proportional to a specific metric, often the amount of stake they hold. This mechanism determines how network participants reach agreement on the state of the ledger. It is a common feature in many proof-of-stake blockchain architectures.
Context ∞ The design of weighted consensus mechanisms is fundamental to the security and operational characteristics of numerous blockchain networks. Debates frequently arise concerning the optimal weighting factor, potential for validator collusion, and the overall resilience of the consensus process. News coverage often relates to protocol upgrades or events that test the efficacy of these consensus models.