Weak Subjectivity
In PoS systems, nodes need a recent finalized state to avoid certain long-range attacks.
Because validators can change over time without expending external work, PoS nodes rely on periodic finalized checkpoints from honest sources. Syncing from genesis without such context can expose nodes to long-range attacks.
"A new node bootstraps from a recent finalized checkpoint provided by multiple trusted sources to satisfy weak subjectivity."
Related Terms
Proof of Stake
→A consensus algorithm where one's stake in the cryptocurrency is used to validate transactions and create new blocks, offering an energy-efficient alternative to Proof of Work.
Finality
→The point at which a transaction is considered irreversible and economically infeasible to revert.
Validator
→A participant in a Proof of Stake (or similar) system who proposes and attests to blocks, often bonded by a stake.
All terms and definitions may update as the Cryptionary improves.
