What is Consensus Algorithm and Their Types in Blockchain
Consensus algorithms are fundamental to blockchain & cryptocurrency systems, ensuring decentralized networks operate securely, reliably & efficiently. They enable all nodes in a distributed network to agree on the current state of the system
1. Proof of Work (PoW):Used by Bitcoin. Miners solve complex puzzles to validate transactions.Pros: High security; Cons: Energy-intensive & slow.
Types
Proof of Stake (PoS):Validators are chosen based on their staked cryptocurrency.Pros: Energy-efficient & fast; Cons: Risk of centralization if wealth is concentrated.
Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS):Stakeholders vote for delegates who validate transactions.Pros: High scalability; Cons: Risk of delegate centralization.
Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT):Designed to work even with malicious or failed nodes.Pros: High security; Cons: Limited scalability.
Proof of Authority (PoA):Trusted nodes validate transactions in private blockchains.Pros: High speed; Cons: Centralized control.
Hashgraph Consensus:Uses a directed acyclic graph for consensus rather than traditional blocks.Pros: High throughput and fairness