Overview
Consensus algorithms are fundamental protocols used in blockchain technology to achieve agreement on the state of the blockchain among distributed nodes. These algorithms ensure the integrity and security of the blockchain by preventing malicious activities and ensuring that all transactions are valid and agreed upon by all participants in the network.
Importance
Consensus algorithms are crucial in maintaining the decentralized nature of blockchain networks. They eliminate the need for a central authority by enabling a group of distributed nodes to collectively validate transactions and create new blocks. This process ensures that the blockchain remains secure, immutable, and resistant to attacks.
Comprehensive Full List of all Consensus Algorithms
- Proof of Work (PoW): Original consensus algorithm requiring miners to solve complex puzzles. Used by Bitcoin and many others.
- Proof of Stake (PoS): Validators are chosen based on their stake. Used by Ethereum (post-transition), Cosmos, Tezos, and Cardano among others. It is by far the most popular consensus mechanism overall in Web3 today.
- Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS): Token holders vote for a small number of delegates. Used by EOS and TRON.
- Leased Proof of Stake (LPoS): Token holders lease their stakes to full nodes. Used by Waves.
- Hybrid Proof of Stake (HPoS): Combines PoW and PoS. Used by Decred and Dash.
- Thresholded Proof of Stake (TPoS): Validators earn rewards based on their stake and certain conditions. Used by Near Protocol.
- Proof of Authority (PoA): Uses the identity and reputation of validators.
- Delegated Byzantine Fault Tolerance (dBFT): Pre-selected nodes validate transactions. Used by NEO.
- Simplified Byzantine Fault Tolerance (sBFT): Ensures quick consensus.
- Proof of Burn (PoB): Miners burn coins to obtain mining rights.
- Proof of Capacity (PoC): Uses disk space for mining. Used by Burstcoin.
- Proof of Elapsed Time (PoET): Uses a random waiting time for nodes. Developed by Intel, used in Hyperledger Sawtooth.
- Proof of Activity (PoA): Combines PoW and PoS. Used by Decred.
- Proof of Identity (PoI): Uses biometric or identification methods to validate participants.
- Proof of Importance (PoI): Evaluates the importance of a user based on their stake and activity. Used by NEM.
- Proof of Weight (PoWeight): Combines metrics like coin age and transaction history.
- Proof of Coverage (PoC): Verifies network participants providing valid wireless coverage. Used by Helium.
- Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAG): Allows high scalability and transaction throughput. Used by IOTA and Nano.
- Proof of Useful Work (PoUW): Ensures computational work is useful.
- Proof of Space-Time (PoST): Considers the duration data is stored. Used by Chia Network.
- Federated Byzantine Agreement (FBA): Nodes reach consensus by following trusted nodes. Used by Stellar.
- Hybrid PoW/PoS: Combines PoW and PoS.
- Proof of History (PoH): Verifies the order and time of events. Used by Solana.
