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