Consensus mechanisms are how blockchains agree on the truth. Here's how the two main types compare.
What is Consensus?
Distributed networks need a way to agree on which transactions are valid. Consensus mechanisms solve this without central authority.
Proof of Work (PoW)
Used by Bitcoin. Miners compete to solve complex puzzles using computational power.
- Pros: Battle-tested, highly secure
- Cons: High energy use, slower
Proof of Stake (PoS)
Used by Ethereum. Validators are chosen based on staked coins.
- Pros: Energy efficient, faster
- Cons: Newer, potential centralization
Comparison
| Feature | PoW | PoS |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Use | High | Low |
| Hardware | Specialized | Standard |
| Security Model | Computation | Economic |