Consensus Mechanism
The rules a blockchain uses so thousands of independent computers agree on one true ledger.
A consensus mechanism is how distributed participants reach agreement — whose block is next, what the balance sheet is, when history is final. Without it, everyone would hold a different version of the truth.
Main families
Proof of Work validates via computation; Proof of Stake via locked collateral; delegated variants via elected representatives. Each balances security, speed, energy use, and, crucially, how distributed control actually ends up.
Why it defines decentralization
The mechanism dictates who gets to write history — and how hard it is to take over. Consensus design is the first place an analyst looks to judge a network’s real decentralization profile.
Related terms
Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, Nakamoto Coefficient, Validator, Mining