Forkless upgrades are a way to update or improve a blockchain network without needing to split it into two separate versions. Traditional upgrades often require a fork, which can cause division and confusion among users if not everyone agrees to the changes. With forkless upgrades, changes can be made smoothly and automatically, allowing all users…
Beacon Chain synchronisation is the process by which a computer or node joins the Ethereum network and obtains the latest state and history of the Beacon Chain. This ensures the new node is up to date and can participate in validating transactions or proposing blocks. Synchronisation involves downloading and verifying block data so the node…
Cross-shard transactions refer to the process of transferring data or value between different shards in a sharded blockchain network. Sharding is a technique that breaks a network into smaller parts, called shards, to improve scalability and speed. Cross-shard transactions ensure that users can send assets or information from one shard to another smoothly and securely,…
Re-staking mechanisms are systems that allow users to use the same staked assets across multiple protocols or networks, increasing the utility of their tokens. Instead of locking tokens for just one purpose, re-staking lets those tokens help secure several services or blockchains at once. This can improve efficiency and provide users with additional rewards or…
Liquid staking is a process that allows users to stake their cryptocurrency tokens in a network and still be able to use or trade a representation of those tokens. Normally, staking locks up funds, making them unavailable for other uses, but liquid staking issues a separate token that represents the staked amount. This means users…
Staking pools are groups where people combine their digital coins to increase their chances of earning rewards in blockchain networks that use proof-of-stake. Rather than staking coins alone, which can require a large amount of money, individuals can join a pool and share the rewards based on how much they contribute. This makes it easier…
Slashing conditions are specific rules set in blockchain networks to penalise validators or participants who act dishonestly or break protocol rules. These conditions are designed to keep the network secure and discourage harmful behaviour. If a participant triggers a slashing condition, they may lose part or all of their staked tokens as a penalty.
Economic security in blockchain refers to the measures and incentives that protect a blockchain network from attacks or manipulation by making it costly or unprofitable to do so. It involves designing systems where honest participation is more rewarding than dishonest behaviour. This helps ensure that transactions remain trustworthy and the network operates smoothly.
Finality gadgets are special mechanisms used in blockchain systems to ensure that once a transaction or block is confirmed, it cannot be changed or reversed. They add an extra layer of certainty to prevent disputes or confusion about which data is correct. These gadgets work alongside existing consensus methods to provide a clear point at…
Chain selection rules are the criteria and procedures used by blockchain networks to decide which chain of blocks is considered the valid and authoritative version of the transaction history. These rules are essential when there are competing chains, such as after a network split or temporary disagreement among nodes. By following the chain selection rules,…