Proof of Stake
Mecanismo de consenso em que validadores são escolhidos conforme a quantidade de ativos que comprometem, em vez de gastar poder computacional.
Key points
- Proof of stake (PoS) is the consensus mechanism in which validators are chosen based on the assets they commit to the network.
- Instead of spending energy solving problems, as in proof of work, the validator puts up collateral that can be lost if it acts in bad faith.
- It consumes far less energy than proof of work and is the model adopted by most newer networks.
What is proof of stake?
Proof of stake is a consensus method that selects who validates blocks based on the amount of assets each participant locks up as collateral. The act of committing assets is called staking. Validators who act honestly receive rewards; those who try to cheat risk losing part of their collateral. Security therefore comes from the capital at stake, not from energy expenditure.
How it works
A validator deposits and locks a quantity of assets on the network. The protocol selects, among validators, who proposes and confirms each block, generally with a probability proportional to the collateral committed. If a validator approves invalid transactions or behaves maliciously, the protocol can confiscate part of its assets, a penalty known as slashing.
To participate without operating their own infrastructure, many users delegate their assets to a validator and share the rewards. Liquid staking solutions have also emerged, which issue a token representing the committed assets, allowing them to be used in other applications while still earning rewards.
Since there is no competition for computational power, energy consumption is a fraction of what proof of work requires, and network capacity can be scaled through other means.
Why it matters
Proof of stake made it possible to operate secure networks at low energy cost, which made it the standard for many blockchains used for payments and smart contracts. The Solana network, for example, uses a variation of this model to achieve high speed at reduced cost, characteristics relevant to settlement at scale. For the end user, this often translates into cheaper, faster transactions, without giving up validation distributed across many participants.
Risks and limitations
Staking involves risks: assets remain locked for a period and can be slashed if the chosen validator fails or acts improperly. There is also concern about concentration, since those with more assets tend to validate more blocks. Liquid staking solutions add exposure to the smart contract that underpins them.